Quick Thoughts: That's My Boy, Men in Black 3 and Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

In a new series I give my quick thoughts on a few movies that were released this year.

The Pull List: November 2012

Welcome to the latest edition of The Pull List. In it I'm going to list off what comics I'm buying in the month of November and why. Hopefully you enjoy!

Wizo's Game Reviews: Diablo 3

Wizo writes up his thoughts on Diablo 3. Want to know what he thinks? Read on to find out more!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

D Strong Reviews Young Justice-“Performance”

The YJ Team goes undercover at Robin’s original home the Haly International Traveling Circus to locate a thief stealing weapons technology across Europe. But a thief isn't all they find as they become embroiled in yet another adventure rife with daring due and an entanglement with one of their most dangerous adversaries yet…The Parasite. Trust me, the YJ version of this guy it totally nothing to mess with! I enjoyed this one mainly because its finally a showcase for Robin/Dick Grayson whos kind of been in my opinion neglected character-wise thus far but this episode makes up for it. So if you’re a Robin/Nightwing or plain ol’ Dick Grayson fan, this episode will have you grinning ear to ear

D Strong Reviews Young Justice-"Agendas"

 Its Thanksgiving time ‘round Mt. Justice but up at the JLA Watchtower, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman meet with the other members of the Justice League to discuss expanding the Justice League's roster. Many suggestions are made and some taken into great consideration for possible future membership of the League. Superboy decides to return to Project Cadmus to investigate a rumor by Lex Luthor that the top-secret genetics lab has created another Superman clone. When he discovers this to be true, he learns that the clone, code-named “Match” was the first attempt to clone Superman from purely Kryptonian DNA. The resulting clone is far more unstable, the battle that follows is rather hard hitting also sharp-eyed fans will notice a few easter egg nods to another well known DC villain in the process. In the aftermath, Superboy reluctantly decides that the clone needs to remain in cryogenic stasis. He also learns that his DNA is mixed with that of a human - Lex Luthor himself, and that Luthor can shut Superboy down with a simple phrase(“Red Sun“). At the JLA Watchtower, the Justice League have finished their deliberations as to possible recruits. Definitely some good action going on here and Superboy making a way for himself is another bonus, Lex being his badass self and a recall to Superman the Movie was definitely unexpected.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

D Strong Reviews Young Justice-“Insecurity”

Artemis and Green Arrow stop an assassination attempt by the way too familiar Black Spider (I‘ll let you guys guess who he reminds me of!). Afterward, Green Arrow is approached by former partner Red Arrow, who had agreed to meet him. Meanwhile, Sportsmaster springs Professor Ivo from Belle Reve. Red Arrow joins the Team and sets off  on a mission alongside Kid Flash, Aqualad and Artemis (whom he’s definitely giving the side-eye to) to track down Sportsmaster, which results in them battling Cheshire too. Artemis discovers that Klarion the Witch Boy, Brain, and Professor Ivo are all working together. Meanwhile at the Cave, Superboy, Miss Martian and Zatanna discover Red Tornado's human body which Red Tornado plans to use to blend into the human race. In the end, Artemis returns home and is confronted by Sportsmaster (who is revealed to be her father! Oh No‘s!!). He tries to persuade her that she belongs with her villainous family, not the Team.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

It's Like a Sasquatch, Only More Elusive, More Ferocious, and a Little More Greedy

OK, so I had this idea, to do a more weekly type deal and I decided on reviewing South Park. The new season has started and the fourth episode aired last night, with only three more left before the summer break.

Before I go any further:

***SPOILER ALERT***


Yes, I will be giving away all the details, so if you don't want to know because, for some asinine reason, you haven't watched it yet, stop reading and come back when you have.

Before I get into my review I just want to explain how you are supposed to watch South Park. Lately people have been getting this notion that South Park is some huge political or social statement every week. It's not. Not even a little. Sure, they may take ideas from what's going on and make it a part of their show, but it doesn't mean they are making a statement about that issue. Not at all. They're just making fun of it. Simple as that. So don't watch South Park as if it's some top news show bringing you all the latest insight on humanity. It's just a show about foul mouthed 4th graders who get into all kinds of trouble.

Now, with that said, on with review.


"Jewpacabra" is the 4th episode of South Park's 16th season. This season has been a blast so far producing some of the funniest episodes I've seen in a long time. Who can forget "Reverse Cowgirl?" This episode taught us that we have all been sitting on the toilet wrong. You're supposed to face the tank so you have a nice little shelf for your magazines. Then there was "Cash for Gold," that showed us the complex and idiotic loop of the gold selling and smelting business. Remember, "Whoever made the rhyme, did the crime." Then last week we were introduced to "Faith Hilling," this episode reminded us all that there are only three acceptable memes when posing for a photo: peace sign, bunny ears, and fake wiener.

This week's episode came just in time for Easter, which is this Sunday. It follows the exploits of Cartman as he tries to convince everyone that a beast called the Jewpacabra is real and is coming to suck the blood from all of the kids in town, on Easter Sunday, during the town's big Easter egg hunt. It starts with Cartman going to Kyle's house and getting a lesson in Passover from Kyle's mom. Of course Kyle is suspicious of Cartman from the get go because Kyle knows Cartman always has an ulterior motive, for everything he does.

Cartman is then charged (by himself) to find evidence that Jewpacabra is real. He enlists Butters' help to do so and they go into the woods to try and capture the creature on video. At this point they transform South Park into an episode of  Animal Planet's "Finding Bigfoot," which, as usual, is done with great accuracy. In order to find it they have to imitate the Jewpacabra's call. "No Christ! No Christ!" Butters eventually helps (he's terrified to death the whole time) by shouting, "I don't think Christ has any basis in reality!"


Cartman, after obtaining the footage he wants, takes it to the B.F.R.O. (Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization). This of course takes place after Cartman absconds to Nassau so he can ride a water slide at the Atlantis Resort and Casino. You know, the one that goes through a shark tank. Yeah, it's real.

So they get to the BFRO and inside are the folks from the show, albeit a highly exaggerated version of them. Which of course is hilarious because they portray these people as if they are just the dumbest people to walk the Earth. It would be prudent to mention that Kyle has a recurring line that goes, "To believe any of this you have to be either a liar or stupid." The fine folks in the BFRO are then ready to believe Cartman when he tells them it's a Jewpacabra. They then convince Cartman that it is real footage of the beast and that it will now be targeting him because of the footage.

Eventually, Cartman is used as bait to lure the Jewpacabra out and make everyone else safe. The BFRO folks track him down and identify him as a three foot tall bunny man. "Bobo" shoots Cartman with a tranquilizer gun and they all celebrate and try to go get their adventure on Animal Planet, bringing the gun as evidence of the existence of the bunny man.

While under the effects of the tranquilizer, Cartman has a dream where he is a little Egyptian boy during the days of the Biblical plagues. Kyle is there too, as Jew, naturally. Cartman can't understand why God would do all these horrible things to people and Kyle tells him that's how God works. Cartman responds, "You're wrong Kyle, God is not a dick!" Best line of the episode.

After waking up, safe in his bed, after a little help from a compassionate Kyle, he goes running into the middle of the Easter egg hunt as it's in full swing. He announces to everyone that they must accept Jehovah as their God and deny Christ.

So, after hating Jews all his life and even once or twice trying to eradicate them, Cartman has accepted Judaism as the one true religion. Now, it will be interesting to see if this lasts, or, if this is a ploy towards something bigger. You never know when it comes to Eric Cartman. You just never know.

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, just as I've enjoyed the previous ones this season. Season 16 is definitely off to a good start, this episode is just another strong one. Although, I will say the cast of main characters was quite small. It was mainly just Cartman, Butters, and Kyle. Stan didn't even have a line in this one. He was even only seen briefly when everyone was in line to sign of for the egg hunt.

Also, the parents weren't really involved either. I typically enjoy the episodes where the parents are more involved, especially Randy. Not saying that every episode should involve the grown-up, I'm just saying I like it when they're there. They tend to add that complete rube aspect to the story, a device to just completely ruin everything. Which usually works out pretty good.

The thing I think Trey and Matt and their crew do best is bring light to things we don't give much thought to. Like their one episode that uncovered the truth about Easter. Everyone always wonders how Easter came to be associated with egg laying rabbits and South Park explained it very well. "Jewpacabra" is no different, as far as when it comes to the Passover holiday.

I think one thing that a lot of critics do wrong when they watch South Park, is they take it too seriously. They sit down and watch the show and expect a huge social statement to be made. That's not what this show is about. It's gotta be watched with an open mind and a very open sense of humor. The only envelope these guys push is what they can get away with on cable TV, comedy wise. They've done a great job for 16.25 seasons and I can't wait to see what happens in the forthcoming episodes. It is 2012 after all.

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