Orphan Black Re-Watch: The Girl on the Train Platform

"Orphan Black" Episode One: Natural Selection

If you read this blog, I'm sure that you are an aficionado of many of the same things that I am. You love super heroes and comic books and sci-fi and fantasy. So, I can't imagine that there are many of you out there who aren't proud members of the "sestrahood." Maybe you haven't though. There is so much great TV out there, it's hard to catch everything. With season four of the BBC America drama getting ready to start this Thursday and all 3 seasons available to stream if you have an Amazon Prime membership, now is the perfect time to see what everyone is raving about. It's also a chance to see why lead actress Tatiana Maslany scored her first Emmy nom last year.

Each week, I'll be revisiting an episode of "Orphan Black" from the pilot until the fourth season finale. Watch along with me and read my recaps. We are starting today with the pilot, "Natural Selection."

Revisiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Incredible Hulk

"The Incredible Hulk" (2008)

It's still 2008. "Iron Man" is raking in the cash. Critics and audiences are going bananas. Why stop with just one Marvel super hero hitting the big screen? The next movie in the set that will become known as "Phase One" is "The Incredible Hulk." Now, you may be asking yourself, wasn't there another Hulk movie and do I need to watch that first to enjoy this? The answer to that question is a hard no. The first movie, "Hulk," was directed by Ang Lee and has no relation to this movie. You can see it, if you like dimly lit action scenes featuring dogs on steroids, a 2 ton green monster flying through the air with the greatest of ease and Nick Nolte giving it his scenery chewing all, then sure, knock yourself out. On second thought, maybe it is worth a re-watch.

Marvel brought in "Transporter" director, Louis Leterrier, to direct the film and serious actor Edward Norton took over the role of Bruce Banner from walking, talking card board cut out, Eric Bana. Now, let's experience "The Incredible Hulk" again for the first time.

Movie Review: Batman v. Superman - Dawn of Justice

Strong Performances from the Female Actors Can't Save the Long, Slow March Towards Death That is "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice"

It's Sunday, March 27th and by now, you've read all the reviews. You've seen the 31% score on Rotten Tomatoes. You know that director Zack Snyder's take on the first meeting of two of the most iconic super heroes of all time is not what they deserve. I'm not here to pile on. I'm not sure I can say anything that hasn't already been said. Let's face it. This movie is review proof and the box office tallies are confirming that. So rather than focus on the negatives, I'm going to do my best to focus on the few positives the film offers. I can't promise that some negativity won't slip in there. I'm only human.

Revisiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Iron Man

"Iron Man" (2008)

Can you believe that it has been almost 8 years since Marvel Studios began it's trek to total box office domination? 2008 was a different time. The George W. Bush presidency was winding down and we were just starting to believe we could, we still thought the recession was something that happened in the '80's and Michael Phelps was getting ready to dominate the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The box office was also a different place in 2008. Super hero movies weren't the guaranteed cash cow that they are now. Audiences were still feeling the sting of critical flops like "X-Men: The Last Stand" and "Spider-Man 3." Studios weren't willing to take the risk of banking their hard earned on money on lesser known heroes, especially since "Batman Begins" only made $48 million in it's opening weekend. If people weren't willing to show up in droves for a name hero like the Dark Knight, was there any chance they would show up for a hero that the majority of the non-comic book reading world had never heard of?

Thankfully, Marvel did and because of their belief and savvy casting choices they just released the trailer for their thirteenth film, "Captain America: Civil War," whose second trailer has racked up over 30 million views in two days. With the start of Phase Three looming on the horizon, I thought that now was the perfect time to re-watch and reflect on the films that came before starting with the original Marvel movie: "Iron Man."

Comics 101: Jessica Jones

Who Is Jessica Jones?

Netflix and Marvel are getting ready to debut the second of their "street level" adaptations and their choice is an... unconventional one.  Most people had heard of Daredevil through Ben Affleck and 20th Century Fox's ill-advised red leather adaptation.  It was ripe for re-interpretation and the Netflix version was Daredevil done right.  

Jessica Jones is a character that people, outside of the most Marvel devout, probably hadn't heard of until this series was announced.  That is a shame, because Jessica is one of the most authentic, fully realized female characters in the Marvel or DC Universes.  Jessica was created by Brian Michael Bendis and made her debut in "Alias" #1 in November 2001.  It's hard to introduce a brand new, compelling character in the modern age, but that is exactly what Bendis did.  He made Jessica relatable.  She comes off as a real person.  She has edges and doesn't feel at home in the super hero world, even though she has multiple connections to it.  Since there are lots of people who will watching anything with the Marvel logo, it stands to reason that this weekend folks will be spending time with Jessica Jones for the first time.  Here are five things to know about your new favorite Marvel heroine.

The Five Television Shows You Should Be Watching

Five Television Shows That You Should Be Watching

This has been a great time for television.  TV is no longer the desolate wasteland of crass, mindless drivel that it once was.  To be fair, it hasn't been for a while.  There are still reality shows and those shows that make you wonder how it got green lighted in the first place: Did anyone watch "Cavemen?"  RIP "Work It."  But for the most part, each network, broadcast and cable and now, Netflix, have multiple shows vying for your attention and no matter how hard you try, you are going to miss something.  Thank goodness for summer.  All the major network shows are on their summer hiatus so now you can spend this beautiful summer weather bingeing all the shows that you missed or didn't have time for during the regular TV season.  Now, like I said, there are a lot to choose from, but here are 5 shows that I think everyone should be watching.

The Real Housewives of New York City Recap: "Get Off My Jock."

The Real Housewives of New York City, Episode 3: "Battle of the Brunches"

Season Seven of "The Real Housewives of New York City" reminds me a lot of Renewed Ramona from season 3.  It's going out of it's way to remind viewers why they began and presumably enjoyed spending time with these women in the first place.  Step one in this plan was to bring back fan favorite, Bethenny and then do everything they could to put the ladies in situations that brought to mind the glory days of the show's first three seasons.  How else to explain Countess Luann bringing "Jellybean" Kelly Bensimon aka Bethenny's nemesis to "pick up joint" Boutique?  Was anyone buying Luann's "I just randomly ran into her and invited her along" excuse?  Bethenny certainly wasn't and commented that it was a "slithery" move.  Another season 3 callback!  After Luann kisses the proverbial ring and apologizes, Bethenny seems cool and joins the other ladies, Kelly included.  Will this be the last we see of NYC's most infamous socialite?  Time will tell.