Top 10 Greatest Moments of Comic-Con 2015

Well Comic-Con has come and gone once more and us nerds are left tired and worn out. But with that tiredness comes extreme forms of joy and excitement. This year was definitely a huge year for Comic-Con whereas the last couple have sizzled a bit. Many of us were anticipating what releases and announcements were going to come out of this years conventions, and I can say that I was thoroughly pleased. So, let’s grab our badges once more, and enter the Top 10 greatest moments of Comic-Con 2015.

10. Bill Murray

Comic-Con was rocked when Bill Murray came out of the shadows to appear on a panel for his upcoming movie Rock the Kasbah. It was his first ever appearance and he fit right in immediately. The nerd community has a huge affinity for Bill Murray so it was no surprise how huge of an impression just his presence left on Comic-Con.

9. Legend of Korra

It was announced that the creators of Legend of Korra will indeed be doing a graphic novel run that expands the universe and stories of the characters we know and love. I am a huge Legend of Korra fan, and, with the series ended, I thought I had seen the last of Legend of Korra. I’m so thrilled to be returning to this universe and getting to read more stories of my favorite characters. Hopefully, while being in comic form, the creators are allowed more freedom in showing the relationship between Korra and Asami as well as diving even further in depth about the impact of death on the show. This was a grown up show already, but I hope the comic will really allow them to explore the themes they’ve already presented in a greater light.

8. Fear The Walking Dead

We finally have our first trailer for Fear The Walking Dead, and holy shit does it look intense! I was very nervously excited to see what this series was going to bring to the table. I was a bit worried that it was going to be a shitty rehash of stuff we kind of saw in The Walking Dead, but it definitely brought something new to the table. The zombies are the main threat and surviving the initial outbreak seems as hectic as it sounds. I can’t wait for the premier of this series because it’s going to kick some major ass.

7. The Walking Dead

The Ricktatorship is in full affect, and everyone is NOT happy. I loved this trailer so much. Much like previous Comic-Con TWD trailers, it reels you in and then begins to smash you to pieces. We see our Daryl in peril, Rick is becoming even more of an egomaniac, and Morgan is doing the bidding of the people. It sounds like he and Rick are going to be at odds this season, and this internal conflict could help let the zombies shine because if they aren’t focused outside, those walls could come down very quickly. I can’t wait to see what happens!

6. The Killing Joke

The Killing Joke has been one of the most successful, if not THE most successful, Batman vs. The Joker story ever told. It is one of the most compelling and interesting stories that we’ve seen for either character. For years, nerds have begged to see a film adaptation to this, and it’s finally happening. Bruce Timm is overseeing an animated adaptation of The Killing Joke and it will have an extended 15 minute segment so even those who know the story will be getting something new. I can’t wait for this, and I’m glad they’re doing it in the vein of animated series legend Bruce Timm. If anyone will do it justice, it’s him.

5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Every nerd was patiently waiting for the panel for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Many speculated that we’d get a trailer, while the Schmoes rightly predicted that we’d get a sizzle reel with a look at behind the scenes. This is exactly what we got, but I was not disappointed, nor do I think all of the fans were. The sizzle reel is nothing short of beautiful, and it serves as a love story told from the makers of the movie to the movie. For me, it helped cement my idea that these people love this property so much that they more than anyone else want to get it right. They also then escorted everyone at the panel to an afterparty via Stormtroopers which is fucking awesome.

4. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Out of everything on this list, this was the biggest surprise for me. I have been following this film since it’s announcement, but I was only mildly intrigued. However, the trailer they put together for their panel was pure genius. This movie looks fucking brilliant and I can’t wait to see it now. Guy Ritchie is proving himself to not only be a phenomenal actor, but a legendary director as well. Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer are great side by side and really work as a duo. This trailer actually had me hoping that this will be the movie that pulls Armie Hammer’s career out of the dumps and propel him towards stardom once more.

3. Suicide Squad

I won’t post the leaked trailer, and it has probably been taken down by now. However, this footage was amazing. It was everything I wanted it to be and then some. We got to see Harley in full action, Deadshot coining “Suicide Squad,” King Shark on a gurney, Killer Croc up close, El Diablo doing what looked like shaving?, and the best part of it all, Joker torturing someone while saying, “I’m not going to kill ya. I’m just going to hurt ya really, really bad.” This trailer delivered on tone, visuals, story, and characters. It gave us very little while still pulling us in. The tone is playful, dark, and villainous. The characters seem unhinged, and dark with just a touch of camp. It’s really a great balance, and David Ayer deserves some respect for pulling this off.

2. Deadpool

Again, I won’t post the leaked trailer, but I’m sure you can find it online still. This trailer was one of the purest comic book adaptations I’ve ever seen. There were 4th wall breaks, call outs to previous Ryan Reynolds movie, extreme violence and gore, pop songs, cussing...a lot of cussing, strippers, and back and forth with Weasel. Nerds were treated to everything they’ve ever wanted from a Deadpool movie. The panel knew how great their product was as well, and had a lot of fun. This movie is obviously hard R and everyone couldn’t be happier. Thank you Fox for having the balls to do this, and thank you Ryan Reynolds for fighting to do this right.

1. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

My life is complete. This trailer blew me away. I saw it yesterday morning, and I was literally stunned the entire day. This movie has a scope that is so large and yet it delivers such grounded, emotional shots and sequences. Ben Affleck’s Batman is hands down the greatest Batman adaptation we’ve ever seen on screen. Cavill’s Superman is still lost and trying to gain control. Eisenberg’s Luthor is a piece of garbage that I love to watch. Gadot’s Wonder Woman is the embodiment of not only royalty, but power. And Irons’ Alfred is fucking pure genius. I could listen to him give Batman advice all day. The story is looking as intriguing as ever, and the action is unbelievable but in a good way. I am fucking amped for this movie thanks to this trailer.

As always guys, let me know what you thought below! Was there anything I left off that you thought deserved to be on this list? What was your favorite moment during this year’s Comic-Con? Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey, check me out on MoviePilot.com/HaneyCasey, and check out my website SlackerNerds.com. Thanks for reading!

"What Did I Just See?": BVS: Dawn of Justice Comic Con Trailer

This trailer was at the top of my list for most anticipated moments for Comic Con this year. As you may know by now, I am a huge Batman fanatic. I live and breath Batman. That being said, I was more than a little pumped when watching this trailer the now 15,000 times that I have. This trailer was simply magnificent in every way so, this installment of “What Did I Just See?” is going to be a little different. I would usually talk about “What Didn’t Work?” but seeing how this trailer was just a nonstop powerhouse of awesomeness, I am going to skip that segment and simply list “What Did Work?” I am also going to talk about some speculations and things you may have missed in the trailer, and what some things in the trailer could allude to. So, lets put on our cowls and breakdown this spectacular trailer!

What Worked?

Holding Superman Accountable

We’ve known for some time that the world will hold Superman accountable for the hundreds of deaths that were a direct cause of his fight with Zod. It’s a great way to open up this trailer at the courthouse where Superman is being tried by a committee. It shows that the world does not yet stand in solidarity with heroes, and most of all, Superman. It gives a great sense of why not only Batman, but the entire world, sees Superman as a threat, and to some degree, a murderer.

Deaths for Batman

We know that Batman has been out of commission for a while and that he’s seen his share of devastation. However, the deaths of his employees, or “family”, and his inability to save them or protect them during Superman’s battle are a great way to motivate Bruce to suit up once more. We know that the driving force for Batman’s crusade is to save those who can’t protect themselves, and to avenge those who have died at the hands of criminals, like his parents who get a nice little scene in this trailer, or Jason Todd whose Robin outfit we see (more on him in the speculation area). Now that Batman has had his family hurt once more, the flames of rage are burning once more.

Jeremy Fucking Irons

There is no one else that could deliver the lines he has with the same amount of gravitas and precision as he does. With a Batman as badass and rage-filled as this one, we needed an Alfred who could contend emotionally with him. Jeremy Irons is the only one that can believably stand up to Batman and tell him like it is. Also, his look is so great. He looks like an old spy who still has that fire burning in him, but with much more wisdom. I can’t wait to see and hear the dialogue between he and Ben Affleck.

Lex Zuckerberg

Even though I wish Lex was a tad bigger, I am totally sold on Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Lex Luthor. He is cocky and deceitful just like how his character should be. He is surprisingly compelling as a formidable foe. There is the obvious brain vs. brawn matchup between he and Superman brewing here. This makes me very excited. Also, he has hair in this trailer, so he will presumably lose it as a plot point, and I’m totally ok with that because that has been done successfully in the past.

Wonder Woman

My doubts of Gal Gadot are gone. She gives off a very good vibe. When fighting she has a smirk like Diana should have. She is obviously up against a formidable opponent, and Wonder Woman always loves a good battle. She looks like, even though she is taking this seriously, she is enjoying a good fight. Also, I’m so glad that she and Batman know each other’s secret identities and that they seem to be a bit flirtatious together. I hope this is a sign that perhaps they will have a bit of a romance, much like in the Justice League animated show. She also looks believable as this strong powerful woman. Many complained that she was too skinny, but she seems very fit and ready for battle in this trailer.

The Batman

I call him The Batman because he is certainly a figure of justice that deserves the “The.” Ben Affleck is fucking killing it in this role as not only The Batman, but as Bruce Wayne as well. He is creating a blend of both personas that mixes extremely well, while also making it believable and understandable that they are both two masks he wears at different times. His motivations, as I touched on above, are great ways to set up the pure rage that is boiling beneath the surface. I love how Ben Affleck is literally trembling with anger throughout this trailer as well. You can see this rage not only in his demeanor, but his eyes as well. When he is watching the devastation of Metropolis, as well as describing Superman’s abilities, you can see the seriousness, sadness, and rage. He is also very agile which has been a problem in the past Batman movies. While being agile, he is also HUGE in stature and extremely demanding whenever he is seen. Ben Affleck is the truest Batman we have ever seen. He embodies all of the physical elements that Batman has, as well as the emotions that come with living under the cowl.

Tone

Many people shit on DC for being so dark. I think it’s not only smart for them to embrace this tone as a great way to separate themselves from Marvel, but it's wise of them to stick more closely to the source material they have chosen. There are many incarnations of these characters and they have stated which comics are influencing them. Why would they draw inspiration from the Dark Knight Returns, and then make a movie full of jokes and lightheartedness? It wouldn’t make sense, and would in turn make the film a mess. I applaud them for embracing the source material they are drawing inspiration from, and they are doing a great job capturing the feel of these comics.

Visuals

This trailer is beautiful. The interspliced shots, establishing shots, close-ups, action shots, etc. They are all done with grace and precision. I loved seeing Superman shoot his heat vision then cut to Batman dodging heat vision (although I don’t believe it is Superman shooting at him). The shots help establish and convey all of what is being said as well as add tidbits of information not being talked about. For instance, my comment about Diana enjoying the battle was in part due to the close-up on her as she is thrown into a wall. The trembling I noticed in Ben Affleck was also in part due to the close-up shots that let us be able to observe these minor details that only further enhance our experience and understanding of the trailer.

Speculation

Jason Todd

Seeing Jason Todd’s Robin suit with a message from the Joker left behind on it is an obvious indication that he was murdered by the Joker. However, I think that they aren’t just putting this in there for mere dramatic effect. I think this is foreshadowing the events of the upcoming solo Batman film where Jason Todd comes back as the Red Hood. I also think that the staff he is holding is indeed a staff that Jason Todd used. Although it may not look like a traditional staff, it would make sense that perhaps they created a staff with some modifications. I think this is actually what we see Batman holding in the previous trailer, and what he uses to inject kryptonite into Superman with. I also think that he chooses this weapon as a means of motivation and as a reminder that he sees Superman in a similar light to the Joker at this point. He uses this staff because it is that of a fallen comrade taken from him by someone he deems to be a criminal. Superman has already killed his employees that are described as being his family, so it would make sense that he’s using one of his “family” members signature weapon to defeat an enemy that has taken what he holds closest to him.

Joker Knows Everything

It’s very suspicious that the Joker is presumably sending Batman mail directly, and calling him out for letting his family die. His note also serves as a nice poke at the death of Jason Todd at his hands. I’m assuming that during one of their previous altercations, Batman either revealed his alter ego, or it was uncovered by the Joker during the interrogation and torture of Jason Todd. I don’t quite know how or why the Joker knows who The Batman is, but it’s a very interesting dynamic that we haven’t seen before.

The Pockocmoc Satellite

I had brought this up in my review for the first trailer, but we get to see an extended look at the Pockocmoc satellite launch. I am still convinced it is some form of threat that Superman deters as a means of winning over the trust of the American military. It is clearly Russian, but this time the labelling has been removed from the satellite itself. It still bears the Russian flag, and could be a bit of foreshadowing to a larger conflict that will soon involve all of the heroes.

BatMurder?

A lot of people are calling out Batman’s obvious necksnap during the desert scene. Many don’t believe it is Batman considering he doesn’t kill people. I am wondering if these “Super Soldiers” are actually people. I’m thinking they might not be. Knowing that Lex will be using Zod’s DNA for something nefarious, and having billions of dollars at his disposal, it would make sense that perhaps Lex has created some sort of humanoid robot squadron. Now here me out. Zack Snyder admitted that Metallo was in the first draft for the film, but was later cut. Metallo is a humanoid robot with the mind of a man and powered by kryptonite. I don’t think its that farfetched to believe that Luthor has created a small scale squadron of androids to battle Superman, in place of Metallo. They can in fact serve as a precursor to the introduction of Metallo. Also, it is suspicious that we never see any skin, or any of the soldiers faces. So, with all of that said, perhaps Batman knows they aren’t human, and is then using lethal tactics in hopes of destroying them.

Doomsday Is Upon Us

From Luthor getting Kryptonite, Zod’s body, and being an all-around maniacal asshole, I think it is obvious that he creates Doomsday. We also see Lexcorps destroyed, as if something escaped, hence all of the bullets on the ground as Luthor walks through the facility. Also, we see a scene with massive devastation and fire as the Batwing flies overhead. As stated before, we see Superman using his heat vision, which he only does in extreme cases. I doubt very much so that he’s using it towards Batman. Also, Wonder Woman wouldn’t fight Superman as she is descibed as the gateway drug to the Justice League, which insinuates she is the uniting force that brings both heroes together. So if she isn’t fighting Superman, or Batman, she must be fighting someone very strong as she is seen being thrown into a wall, and using a powerful attack. I just hope we get to see this big grey son-of-a-bitch soon!

Overall Assessment

This trailer fucking delivered. It gave me more of the story, it conveyed tone, it showed character motivation, and established an overall sense of understanding of the conflict. It kicked major ass all around.

Score: 10/10

If you’ve stuck around this long to read my huge in depth nerdgasm, I thank you! Please be sure to let me know what you all thought in the comments below and let’s start a conversation. What did you think of the trailer? Were you as impressed and blown away as me? Or did you fucking hate it? As always, please follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey, check me out on MoviePilot.com/HaneyCasey, and check out my own website at SlackerNerds.com.

"What Did I Just See?": Creed Trailer #1

Well, just like the rest of the internet, I’m going fucking crazy over this Creed trailer. This movie has been on my radar for quite some time, and I’ve been a bit skeptical about it’s existence. All of my doubt has been quelled, and I am now 100% behind this film. It is getting everything right and landing all the punches. Let’s get back up after getting hit by that trailer, and begin to break it down!

What Worked?

Position in This Universe

One of the things I was most worried about was this becoming another Rocky story. I am so done with that character being the center, and I was hoping to see him as a true mentor to Adonis. Luckily, this trailer makes it very clear that Adonis is the star, and Rocky is nothing more than the guide and mentor. There is even a part in the trailer that states, “You legacy is more than your name.” I love this because it is starting us on a new journey with a character that is completely autonomous and not reliant on the history that came before. However, the history and prior movies are just sprinkled into this one which only makes this movie richer. It is the perfect amount of connection to the Rocky movies, while remaining different enough to tell its own story. I couldn’t be more excited for the approach they are taking with this.

Michael B. Jordan

It’s fitting that he’s playing the Human Torch because he is on fucking fire right now! Ever since I saw Fruitvale Station, I had no doubt that he was going to be a super star. He is nothing short of excellent as an actor. He embodies the emotions and lives of each character he portrays. He also has such a sense of realism to him. I truly forget he’s acting when he’s on screen, and I don’t think there is anything greater an actor can do than that. He is so intense and heartfelt in this trailer. There is a hard balance in boxing movies between intensity and heart that the Rocky franchise defined, and it’s great to see that Michael B. Jordan has that same magic that Stallone did back in the day. I have no doubt I will love seeing him perform as much as I did seeing Stallone for my first time in Rocky and the subsequent Rocky films. He had big gloves to fill as a hero for this new take on the franchise, and hasn’t just filled them, but surpassed expectations completely.

Tone

The greatest part of the Rocky franchise has been the feeling of realism and the triumph felt from hard work. When we first see Philly, we are brought back to that blue collar environment where hard work is the only way to work. There is this grittiness (and I mean that in the best way possible) about Philly that just serves as the perfect background for a story of an underdog. The tone is very reminiscent of the original Rocky, without feeling like a carbon copy.

Italian Stallion

Thank you Stallone. Thank you for finally doing what we’ve wanted you to do for so long. You are finally approaching one of your existing franchises in a way that is not only believable but a great fit for where you are in not only your career, but also in your life. It’s great to see you be the mentor you deserve to be. I’m confident, just as you are, that Michael B. Jordan will be a worthy successor to the boxing drama genre that you defined. Thank you for guiding and seeking a man of his talent to reinvigorate the franchise you worked so hard to build.

The Music

I don’t know what song that was, but holy shit was it a great fit for this trailer! The way they synced up beats with the punches was fantastic. I also liked the gradual increase in intensity as tension built up with Adonis’s training. The words also fit the boxing genre. Sometimes music can make or break a trailer, and in this case it helped elevate it even further.

Overall Assessment

I would usually do another section called, “What Didn’t Work?” however this trailer was absolute, solid gold. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this trailer and it didn’t leave me with any expectations unfulfilled. It delivered everything and more that I could hope for. It also got me excited for the film as well as giving me a great general sense of the story. The trailer landed every single punch and has definitely knocked me out!

Score: 10/10 Knockout!

As always, let me know what you thought! Did you like the trailer? Is there anything negative you found in it? How excited for this film are you? Please be sure to comment and be sure to follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey, catch me on MoviePilot.com/HaneyCasey and of course on my website SlackerNerds.com. Thanks for reading!

The Force Awakens: Brainiac's Return (Fanfic)

Hey all! This is a contest submission I had done for MoviePilot.com. I figured since that that competition is over now, I could post it here for those who hadn't seen it. Give it a read and let me know what you guys think!

An Awakening

The universe has always been full of ghost stories and myths, but none like this. There is a old tale of a being able to absorb and capture entire planets and civilizations who would travel on a world sized machine. They call him Brainiac. The universe hasn’t seen anything like this in quite a long time, but the presence of his myth can be seen throughout the galaxy. For instance, The infamous Death Star was built in part due to the idea that such a sizable machine could even exist. However, the universe is about to be shown the true damage a myth can really cause, once the myth becomes reality. It’s been 30 years since the last Death Star was destroyed by Luke and company, but now Brainiac has begun to absorb the technology of entire worlds while also bottling others for observation. Brainiac, having absorbed such a huge portion of the known galaxy in such a short time, has begun a reason worthy enough for Luke to come out of retirement. However, Luke knows that much like before in his life, he’ll need some help. This time he’ll have to reach out farther than just Cloud City or Dagobah.

Luke and His Disciples

Luke, although being in hiding, has become an experienced Jedi Master who has been keeping a close eye two young people who are very force sensitive. These two people are of course, Rey and Finn. With the threat of Brainiac absorbing the universe and capturing the rest, Luke recruits both Rey and Finn so that he may guide them much like Obi Wan did for him. He knows that if they hope to stand a chance, they’ll need new blood to stand against an enemy of this magnitude. However, he knows that these aren’t the only two he will need to stand against the mighty Brainiac.

The Justice League

Hal Jordan, during his travels throughout the universe on various missions for the Green Lantern Corps, met Luke Skywalker just a few years after the second Death Star was destroyed. Luke, sensing Hal Jordan’s great strength and sense of justice befriended him when Jordan was on mission on Tatooine. Luke, who had began to sense a dark presence in the universe, told Jordan that one day he may call on him to fight a force stronger than he. Jordan, being concerned with the idea that Luke would ever not be strong enough to defeat an enemy on his own, quickly told Luke that if he ever needed his assistance to just click this button. Jordan of course handed him a Justice League galactic pager. Jordan, once back on Earth, told his companions of his new friend and the rising threat. Now, with the pager beeping and the threat clear and present, the Justice League knows that it must rise to the occasion. They are going to a galaxy far, far away.

Ultimate Doom

Luke along with Finn and Rey have taken shelter on the abandoned planet of Jakku to await the Justice League and Brainiac’s arrival. Unfortunately, Brainiac is first to appear. With trillions of nanites Brainiac launches a full on assault on the trio. Luke is able to create a defined line of defense using his enhanced force shield while Rey and Finn fend off any nanites that make it through. The Justice League arrive to find Luke struggling to maintain his defenses. Superman and Martian Manhunter begin to use their strength to fend off the nanite attack on the Jedi, while Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Batman launch an aerial attack on Brainiac’s main ship. Brainiac being as strong and brilliant as he is, quickly grounds Batman and incapacitates Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. He orders his nanite army to cover Superman with kryptonite laced nanites that enter his bloodstream and incapacitate him. He also sets fire to the surface where the heroes fight for survival. While doing this, Luke, Rey, and Finn reach Batman’s downed Batwing, but Martian Manhunter, busy with defending the Jedi, is overcome by the fire. Luke is able to maintain a force shield around the remaining heroes, while Rey and Finn help Batman. Right as Batman emerges, Luke who has been holding off the full force of Brainiac’s nanites by himself is overcome and consumed by Brainiac. Rey and Finn attempt to use their combined strength to fend off the hoards of nanites, but can only create a small radius of safety. Batman sets off an emergency low range EMP that deactivates many nanites surrounding them. Brainiac annoyed by their persistence decides to personally dispose of the last heroes. He emerges to find both Rey and Finn suffering from exhaustion and a wounded Batman. Brainiac, thinking that Rey and Finn being Jedi is a bigger threat, disposes of them rather quickly due to their inability to defend themselves after using so much of the force at once. Finally, Brainiac stands in front of Batman disappointed that he is the only hero left, and poses no threat. However, right as Brainiac puts his hand to Batman’s throat, a light flashes from beneath him. It is only after the cut has been made that Brainiac is able to comprehend the damage. Batman, a mere mortal man, has killed Brainiac with Luke’s lightsaber with a stab to the chest. Batman, saying the last words Brainiac will ever hear, painfully says to the myth that is Brainiac, “Do you bleed? You will.”

So did you guys like my little bit of fanfic? Should things have gone down differently? Let me know! Also be sure to check me out on MoviePilot.com/HaneyCasey as well as follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey! Thanks for reading!

Regular Guy Review: True Detective S2E2

I guess a shotgun shot to the gut isn’t as bad as getting your twig and berries shot off at point blank range with one. Well, this episode was a definite step up from last weeks disappointing season premiere. The wheels are turning and some have apparently stopped already. We get much better pictures of our characters this week as well as a better grasp on the plot. The writing was still a bit too heavy handed, but the acting is still through the roof. I am beginning to have a few issues with the cinematography, but they aren’t too bad. Also, I hope the show isn’t going to deliver shockers like the one in this episode on a regular basis. It worked very well tonight, but I hope they don’t try and twist and yank us around all season. So, with all of this said, let’s begin our autopsy for this week’s episode of True Detective.

What Worked?

Vince Vaughn

We begin this week’s episode with a scene of Vaughn and his wife/girlfriend (I don’t know if it’s been officially disclosed which she is). He is staring at the ceiling contemplating his current situation and how it connects with an extremely pleasant childhood memory. I speak of course about his story about his drunk father locking him in the basement for 6 days in the dark with little to no food, a shitty light bulb, and of course rats. There’ll be more on this anecdote later. Although, I had some issues with the story being told, Vaughn was extremely believable as an unhinged gangster remembering the days that shaped him into who he is now. He is telling a great story with his eyes during this scene. You can seem to see him actually recall these events as if he were using a personal story for his character. Later in the episode, you can see his desperation wiped away. In the first episode, one of my criticisms was that he didn’t seem like a believable gangster. Now that he isn’t playing nice anymore, I can see what the casting director obviously saw. He is very reminiscent of Vincent D’Onofrio from Daredevil. Much like Kingpin, Vince Vaughn is forced to get tough with those around him who are trying to screw him over. Much like D’Onofrio, Vaughn is charismatic and unhinged. I’m excited to see him get his hands even dirtier. I like his reluctance to get back into the underworld, but you can tell that this is where he thrives. I’ll be keeping a close watch on his eyes, because that is where Vaughn is telling his story.

Colin Farrell

Can you keep breaking my heart, making me hate you, and making me root for you? Up until he was shot and presumedly killed at the end of this episode, he was, pun intended, murdering his character. Farrell has created a character so dynamic that it's almost excitedly, exhausting just keeping up with his storyline. He shows you all the sides of his character whether ugly, good, bad, beautiful, or sad. The whole episode this week just seemed to shit on him, and he just took it in stride. He considered the idea that perhaps he wasn’t all bad, just to then get shot right in the fucking gut, twice. I really hope he isn’t dead. I don’t think the show would kill off its easily most compelling character. It just wouldn’t make sense for them to kill the character we feel the strongest connection to. I really think he is wearing a vest. If he were to die, I would be extremely sad to see his character leave the show with having only thought of redemption rather than attempting some sort of act of redemption.

Character Filth

We all love this show for the horrible pictures it paints with its characters. The side characters we see this week are creepy, gross, and corrupt. The psychiatrist we meet is extremely unsettling with his mannerisms and tone. He obviously knows much more than he is letting on, and perhaps could play a much bigger role in this season than just this small part. Also, the fact that he knows Rachel McAdam’s father is another hint/nod that the cult/commune her father leads could be much more nefarious than previously believed. We know that True Detective doesn’t just reference things offhandedly.

Also, the mayor is just such a despicable leader and overall corrupt person. His demeanor is just so revealing about what he is all about. He obviously isn’t bothered by what is going on because he is in a safe position, however, when he needs to show power or make a point, he sits up in his chair and makes pointed eye contact. This just asserts the level of talent all of these actors have, but it just oozes what True Detective is all about. We want to see the worst in the world and how it operates, and this week we saw just that.

Plot

I can happily say that I have a better grasp on what is actually going on now. Vince Vaughn lost all of his capital because Caspere screwed him over, and then died. Now Vaughn is not only out millions of dollars, but out of the deal that he and Caspere were working on regarding the high speed railroad. We know that Vaughn is also in deep water with some of his more nefarious investors such as the russian mobster we saw last week. Rachel McAdams is also now the task force leader in the investigation to solve Caspere’s murder. Taylor Kitsch is still the same brooding man he was before and has a fucked up mom who is oddly sexual towards him. Farrell is, with the prospect of losing his son, reevaluating his involvement in the criminal underworld. He now wants to actually solve this case rather than obstruct it in favor of the mayor and police chief. Obviously now, Caspere’s murder will be the catalyst all of these characters need in order for them to develop and change. I am now intrigued and wanting to see and learn more about Caspere’s murder as well as what he was involved with whether it be another cult, or some other sort of criminal enterprise.

What Didn’t Work?

Cinematography

Ok, seriously how many fucking aerial shots do we need in one episode? Literally after 99% of the scenes in this episode it is immediately bridged by a roaming aerial shot of the L.A. traffic landscape. It does nothing to help me get in the mood for what is to come, or help me understand anything. All it does is take me out of the moment that the previous scene just worked so hard to get me in to. It just makes me think, “Hmmm. L.A. traffic does suck. Glad I don’t live there.” True Detective is usually much more pointed with their scenery. It usually means something, or is supposed to make you feel a certain way, but it is having the opposite effect on me now. I hope this begins to change, but I have a lingering feeling that it won’t.

ClUnkY WritInG

This is exactly how I feel when listening to some of the bullshit written for these compelling characters to say. The opening anecdote that Vaughn tells is completely unnecessary and circular. I don’t feel like the story led me anywhere, and in fact, just repeated what it said in the beginning with the same lack of substance as it had the first time. He begins to talk about the world feeling like paper mache which then leads to a fucked up story about the abuse he endured because his father is a drunk and got arrested. Then the two completely separate issues are connected by nothing more than the fact that Vince Vaughn is speaking about both. They have no connection whatsoever, and if it weren’t for Vaughn’s excellent acting during this scene, I would have turned the episode off. Then later on, some of the dialogue between characters was so good and funny, only to be immediately ruined by dialogue that didn’t seem like it fit the characters at all. There was obviously lazy writing interspersed with great dialogue and storytelling. I hope this uneven writing doesn’t continue to happen, but so far we are two for two.

Overall Assessment

This was a large improvement from the season premiere. I am officially excited and intrigued by this new season. I am invested in the characters and care what happens to each, except for maybe Taylor Kitsch. He needs a bit more development. This episode delivered some admittedly disappointing elements, but they were fortunately out-weighed by the phenomenal acting and interesting plot. I hope Colin Farrell isn’t actually dead, nor do I really think he is, but who knows. This ending is one way to keep me watching! (I also loved the shoutout to Gilroy, CA, my hometown, in the episode!)

Score: 6.7/10

As always let me know what you think? Am I being too harsh on True Detective? Were you surprised by the explosive ending? Do you think Farrell is really dead? What is your impression of the season so far? Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey, check me out on MoviePilot.com/HaneyCasey and read what else I have on my site SlackerNerds.com where we talk Tv, Movies, Comics, and Video Games! Thanks for reading!

Regular Guy Review: True Detective S02E01

Well it’s here! The second season of the anthology series True Detective premiered tonight. I’m sure we were all anticipating the premiere and wondering if it would live up to the first season. I was excited to be introduced to the new bleak world of these characters, but my excitement turned a little sour. The first episode got off to a bit of a rough start with some sloppy exposition and some eh level acting. It’s certainly not bad, but it isn’t living up to its predecessor just yet. However, let’s open our investigation into the first episode of True Detective Season 2 Episode 1, “The Western Book of the Dead.”

What Worked?

Colin Farrell

I don’t think anyone doubts Colin Farrell’s ability to act, but over the years he’s taken some questionable roles, in some questionable movies. He has always been a great actor, but I think some were worried that this would be another role he would phone in and not show off what he is made of. Well, it’s safe to officially say, he is all in. He is the shining light in this episode, granted that light burns nothing but pure darkness. He gives us the depth of a man who has been broken and torn apart from the inside out. Farrell gives us a multifaceted character with a full range of manic emotions. We see him go from loving father, to vengeful husband, to murdering psychopath, to crooked cop, to self-loathing drunk, to just another cop. In the first episode, Farrell has given a performance that is extremely pointed, precise, and descriptive. I feel like I know his character as well as I knew McConaughey's from the first season. I think Farrell’s character has the potential to be as interesting as McConaughey’s while still being different enough to stand alone.

In this episode, we see the two extremes of his story so far. We see a flashback to when he is looking for the man who raped his wife while also seeing him working for Vaughn later on in present day. His relationship with his son is thoroughly terrible. The episode starts with a nice little speech only to return to him calling his son a “fat pussy” when questioning him about who was bullying him. It’s easy to see why he’s not granted very many visitation hours. I’m looking forward to his relationship with Vaughn being explored a bit more. I’m curious as to how he started by just acquiring information from him, to full on killing someone for him now. There is certainly a lot of history to be explored between both characters.

Rachel McAdams

What makes True Detective so great, is a combination of two things: characters and plot. Rachel McAdams is helping check off the character’s box for sure. She is very engaging and we get a good chunk of her story in this episode. She has a sister with questionable judgement/employment, a dead mother who committed suicide, and a spiritual leader as a father who revels in remaining uninvolved in his family’s life. Having such a rich background to pull from, McAdams really brings the audience into her conflicts in such a way that makes us feel as if we’ve been following them all along. She is also a very strong character who hides her vulnerability in plain sight. It’s nice to see such a strong female character amongst a cast of mostly males who are just as screwed up as she is. She definitely holds her own, and outshines most of them. I am really looking forward to seeing more of her.

In this episode, we get to be introduced to the family she does have, as well as how she feels about them. We also get to see how she operates. She’s a tough sheriff who is struggling with doing what’s right while also only being able to do so much. You can tell she cares about the cases she gets, but perhaps feels like enough isn’t always done. I think this is something that will help connect her with Taylor Kitsch’s character. Speaking of him…

Taylor Kitsch

Many people doubt Taylor Kitsch due to his checkered background of work in film, however he has talent. He can act and do it well. I’m glad to see he’s bringing it in True Detective and is being given a sizable role. I think this can be something he really shines in. Although he’s playing a bit of a straight laced boyscout, there seems to be some layers that might get peeled off during the season to reveal a bit more about his character and his past. I’m interested for sure.

In this episode, we see him as a hardass CHP officer who, like McAdams, cares about doing the right thing, but get’s in trouble when doing so. He gets put on leave for trying to ticket a celebrity and doing his job. We see him then go to his girlfriend's house where he is greeted with a sexual invitation. Instead of accepting, he goes to the bathroom where he takes a pill and broods for a bit. It’s here where we see his vast collection of scars. Afterword, he comes out, and does the dirty. It’s revealed that some of his horrendous scars were from before his time in the army. After, he goes a bit crazy, speeding down the highway with his light off on his bike, and almost crashing. This is where he discovers the missing body of City Management official, and dirty criminal, Casper. This is ultimately what connects our three “heroes” together.

The Cinematography

In this episode, there are quite a few establishing shots to help get the audience familiarized with their new surroundings. Each one is a great view of California. Also, the close-ups are phenomenal. They help really capture the emotion of each character. Each close-up is like a glimpse into the complicated psyche of each admittedly screwed up character. Also, I am enjoying the reddish color scheme juxtaposed with the dark shadows in almost every shot. Even if the show doesn’t deliver this season, it will at least look great.

What Didn’t Work?

Plot

Unfortunately, one of the two key ingredients to making True Detective work, failed to get me interested. The plot is more crucial in this series than it is in other shows. The first season raised our expectations so much, that I expected nothing short of thrilling. The plot I was introduced to was much more convoluted and uninteresting. It gave me a lot of horror in terms of events, but not enough clarity or involvement to make me care. There isn’t as much mystery either. Where the first season was layered and full of head scratchers, this season is much more direct and dark. Hopefully, this will change in later episodes, but for an introduction into the season, this episode’s plot did not deliver.

We are told that a corrupt city official is missing. We are told Farrell’s wife was raped and beaten by an assailant years ago. He had to go to Vaughn to get information. He now works for Vaughn years later. McAdams has family issues and doesn’t succeed too well at her job. Kitsch has some repressed feelings about something, and is also a good apple being tainted by a dirty system. Vaughn, with the absence of Casper, is unable to close a deal on a corrupt licensing agreement with an assumedly Russian mobster posing as a clean business man. All of these things seem to just be mushed together in no real fluid way. They just fit together like pieces to different puzzles. The only redeeming part was the last 2 minutes when our heroes are joined together, however the entire episode just feels sloppy, uneven, and messy. You can see the writers trying to do what the first season did without the same precision or expertise, which is very unfortunate. Hopefully it improves over the coming weeks.

Vince Vaughn

Man. I was hoping so much that he’d be an interesting fit for this character. Unfortunately, he’s the same old Vince Vaughn without the funny. He overacts and doesn’t hit his lines with the right set of emotion that I feel like they were trying to convey. He looks like he is constantly trying to remember to stay in character. He doesn’t sit well as a villain or a gangster. It’s as if he doesn’t actually belong there and in fact stumbled into this entire organization. He is not believable as this manipulative and cunning criminal. He doesn’t seem like someone who could demand Farrell’s character to do anything regardless of the information he had on him. Vaughn doesn’t bring the intensity and gravitas to the table that we expect from each actor in True Detective.

Heroes and Villains

True Detective has shown us that the lines can be blurred between both hero and villain, but at the end of the day each person is either one or the other. Right now, it seems a bit too convoluted in regards to Farrell’s character. His character seems to be a bit too erratic and seems to be shifting to from hero to hard villain back to hero. Hopefully they decide which he will be soon. I need to know if he’s a villain with a good side, or a hero with a bad side because it seems a bit too much on each.

Clunky Exposition

While I’m interested in parts of the plot, most of it didn’t capture me. I think this was due in part to the fact that a lot of it was spelled out for us in exposition that seemed to come out of nowhere. For instance, when we find out that Farrell’s wife was raped and beaten and that they’re divorced, it’s basically the first sentence in a new scene. Then, the conversation between McAdams and her father is basically a plot device to learn more of her backstory so that we may more quickly progress with her currently storyline. Next, the scene where Vaughn, his girlfriend, and his henchman discuss the casino and journalistic investigation into his business just seems to be there simply to add credibility to the fact that he is indeed the bad guy. The whole episode just seemed to come right out and say, “HEY! THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS CHARACTER. YOU’RE WELCOME!” I don’t want to see a show where everything is handed to me, especially when that show is True Detective. The greatest part of the first season was the unravelling of each character’s backgrounds, motivations, grievances, and mysteries.

The Opening Sequence

This is a minor grievance, but that opening song is terrible.

Overall Assessment

This season of True Detective is off to a rocky start. As always, we should give it a chance since this is only the first episode. Unfortunately, they really need to get a handle on the plot and writing. Most of the cast seems ready to bring it and act their hearts out, but if the writing is clunky the acting will be clunky. Also, if the plot is boring, the characters will unfortunately become boring. So, there were some shining moments tonight, but overall it was a disappointment to me and the franchise. Let’s try to remain a bit optimistic though. Here’s to hoping next week will be better.

Score: 5/10

As always, let me know what you all thought. Did you like the season premiere of True Detective season 2? Was it all you hoped for? Any predictions? Who's your favorite character so far? Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey, check me out on MoviePilot.com/HaneyCasey, and check out my website SlackerNerds.com. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for next week.