Fanboy News Network Episode 45

“Better Late then Never”

Technical difficulties delayed the release of this episode thus the title and why some subjects may seem out of date.

Dainel Talks about Suicide Squad.

RIP Gene Wilder

The failure of Star Trek Beyond’s ad campaign.

The boys growing excitement for Rogue One.

Jeff has commentary on theme park rides and park events.

Daniel comments on Kubo and the Two Strings.

Discussion about the Labor day geek events, including Pax, Burning Man, and Dragon Con.

Daniel is finally watching Penny Dreadful. Jeff goes out of his way not to crush Daniel’s hope for the characters with spoilers.

Jeff finally got around to seeing Stranger Things and shares his thoughts.

The boys speculate about the Luke Cage and Tick series coming to streaming, as well as Superman being included on Supergirl.

Jeff talks about playing No Man’s Sky.

On Book’s Jeff can’t decide if he wants to read Sandman Slim next or go to the latest Wild Cards book.

Daniel has read 7 Eves by Neil Stephenson, the First Expanse book, and I am Providence.

A quick recap of the Hugo Awards.

Jeff updates on several Podcasts including a progress update on Family Skeletons and Daniel talks about why he likes the resurgence of Sci-Fi and Horror in the medium.

 

Fanboy News Network Episode 41

“My Nerd Game is Strong”

RIP Anton Yelchin
Discussion of what went wrong at Space City comic con
Jeff and Daniel discuss the film the Martian.
Jeff and Daniel debate the mertis of Roland Emmarich movies.
Discussion of the merits of the careers of Oscar Issac, John Boyega, and Domhnall Gleeson
Discussion of the good and bad of recent indie horror.
The merits of seeing Henry Rollins live.
Jeff’s reaction to the final episode of Penny Dreadful.
Daniel’s method of watching Game of Thrones.
What Supergirl’s move to CW could mean.
Jeff proves the level of his comic book nerdom.
Even having stopped watching it, Gotham still haunts Jeff.
Examining Preacher as an exercise on how you adapt a comicbook to a new medium.
Looking at what effect 1.6 millon doller loss to Diamond Distributing will have on the comics industry.
A recap of DC Rebirth and the coming of the new old Superman.
Daniel addresses his feelings about the current Captain America storyline.
Jeff talks about old DC comic based Fanfiction Podcasts.
On the book front Daniel talks about his recent and future reads.
Jeff talks about his current reading material Ghostlight, which leads to a discussion about Jack Parsons.

Fanboy News Network Episode 22

Fanboy News Network Episode 22

“Jillian Venters Returns”

With Daniel out of town Jeff’s sister Jillian Venters of Gothic Charm School returns to the show to act as co-host.

Discussed this episode:

The running theme of convention staffs behaving badly continues with news from Saskatoon Blitz.

Unfortunate news about San Diego Comic Con.

Chris Pratt and the art of being famous in the age of social media.

A review of the movie Grabbers.

Jillian’s excitement over Crimson Peak.

Discussion about the new seasons of Hannibal and Penny Dreadful.

Jillian talks about going back to Disneyland for this year’s Bat’s Day.

 

Review: Penny Dreadful

penny-dreadful-photo-533ab68c096e3Normally when I review a new series I like to watch five episodes, review it, and then do a follow-up review at the end of the season. With Penny Dreadful there was no point doing this as the first season only had eight episodes.

Penny Dreadful is a Showtime production that follows in the footsteps of Wold Newton, by way of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Anno Dracula. It is a cross-over universe set in Victorian London that brings together the novels Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, along with hints of other stories appropriate for the era.

The story follows Sir Malcolm Murray, as he assembles a group to search for his daughter Mina, who has been abducted by a mysterious force. This group includes Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) a childhood friend of Mina’s who is also a medium, Ethan Chandler (Josh Harnett) an American sharpshooter who clearly has a troubled past, Sembene (Danny Sapani) an African who acts as Sir Malcolm’s manservant, and Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) who Sir Malcolm brings in for his medical knowledge.

Along the way, these adventurers encounter other characters who further complicate matters: Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), who finds Miss Ives fascinating in a way he cannot explain; Brona Croft (Billie Piper) an Irish prostitute, dying of consumption, who Ethan falls in love with; and Frankenstein’s Creature (Rory Kinnear) whom the others are not aware of, but makes his presence felt none the less.

One of the strengths that Penny Dreadful has over The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or Anno Dracula, is that not all of its characters are taken directly from the novels. In fact outside of Dorian, Victor, and the Creature, all the other main characters are original to the series. This gives the show much more freedom in how it wants to portray them.

The show has also benefited from the short season. There was no filler. Scenes either advanced the story, or advanced the characters. Next season will increase to 10 episodes, but that should not do any damage to the pace.

It is also clear that series creator John Logan is aware of the difference between gothic horror vs an action story using horror characters. The horror is on full display here, and the mood is pervasive. The monsters here are not portrayed as beautiful misunderstood outsiders, but as alien horrors to be rightfully feared. This is counterbalanced by watching the effect the events have on the main characters and how, in many ways, that is more horrible than the monsters themselves.

The acting in the series is excellent, which isn’t surprising given the experience of the cast. What is surprising is that the standouts tend to be the lesser known actors. Harry Treadaway and Rory Kinnear give poignant portrayals to Frankenstein and his creation. They are so good that the series could just focus on them and it would still be well worth watching. This is not to take away from the other actors. Eva Green gives one of the best performances of her career as Vanessa, who is conflicted by guilt over her role in Mina’s peril, and the cost that saving her friend is taking on her. Timothy Dalton portrays Sir Malcolm as a man obsessed with saving his daughter, but blind to how his efforts are tainted by that obsession. Josh Hartnett does a fine job with his role, which is often to be the voice of reason, meaning he is often at odds with Sir Malcolm.

Overall, the show does an excellent job of conveying a mood and style consistent with Victorian horror.

I give Penny Dreadful a final grade of B. Fans of the horror genre will enjoy it and non-fans should still find it entertaining.

Fanboy News Network Episode 14

Fanboy News Network Episode 14

The year in Geek TV

Jeff takes a look at the season finales for several geek appealing shows and also what we can look forward to next season.