When I first saw Dolly Parton's COAT OF MANY COLORS in its broadcast debut, I only heard one thing: "When this comes to DVD, you're getting it for me." I imagine this was something many husbands heard from their wives. And, unlike almost every other time I hear this statment, this was a time I didn't mind at all.
This heartwarming -- and heartbreaking -- biopic features Olyvia Alyn Lind as a young Dolly, playing the roll with all the spitfire energy and feisty verve the real Dolly has exuded all her life.
Through her eyes we see how it was for a large family growing up in the mountains of Tennessee. Ricky Schroder plays Dolly's father, Robert Lee Parton, a tobacco farmer struggling against drought. Jennifer Nettles is matriarch Avie, a preacher's daughter holding everything together with faith and song. But when she miscarries, the impact on the entire threatens to shatter that faith, and serves to drive a wedge between her and Robert.
Marvel comics hasn't been shy about making movies that stray from the comic book canon. And with the degree of success they've been having, one can hardly fault their logic.
None of which truly explains away the rationale behind the casting of Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One in the upcoming sure-to-be-blockbuster DOCTOR STRANGE.
In the comics, Doctor Stephen Strange is a brilliant but obnoxiously arrogant surgeon. He's Tony Stark with an M.D. (Although since Tony did heart surgery on himself during his origin, his own medical credentials are more than trifling). When Strange suffers a horrible, deadly accident, he encounters the spirit of The Ancient One, a mystic Tibetan who sees potential in Strange to become the next Sorcerer Supreme.
LOS ANGELES, April 26, 2016 – Wizard World, Inc. today announced the appointment of John D. Maatta as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Wizard World is the leading producer in North America of events and comic conventions that celebrate the very best of pop culture, celebrity, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology and live music.
“John brings Wizard World his solid entertainment industry experience and proven success in creating innovative content and distribution strategies. Wizard World is poised to expand its already significant footprint, and John will work with us to guide the company to its next phase of growth and beyond,” said Paul Kessler, Chairman of the Wizard World Board of Directors.
Submitted by Mike 'Ace' Maillaro on Tue, 04/26/2016 - 07:25
Welcome back to Critical Blast’s weekly look at what new comics you should check out each week. Just a warning, I make these picks pretty much a week BEFORE I actually get to read any of these comics, so if something is a stinker, I take no blame on that. Let's get to it!
Submitted by Critical Blast Staff on Mon, 04/25/2016 - 07:51
Batman/Superman #31 (Super-League) by Peter J. Tomasi and Doug Mahnke
Summary: Superman goes to see Batman in Gotham. Superman tells Batman that he’s dying, and he needs Bruce’s help in finding Supergirl. Superman and Batman are attacked by monsters representing the Chinese Zodiac. The heroes defeat the monsters, though Superman’s wounds are not healing. Batman has tracked Supergirl to National City. We find out that she’s being held in some kind of machine there.
Submitted by Critical Blast Staff on Mon, 04/25/2016 - 07:23
We have a lot to cover this week, but real quick I have an announcement to make. On Saturday, May 14 from 9 PM - Midnight, Critical Blast and Iron Room will be holding our First Annual Post-Con Costume Party down in Atlantic City, NJ! For more information, please check it out over on Facebook. There will be over $1000 in prizes, and it should be an awesome event!
Submitted by Mike 'Ace' Maillaro on Sat, 04/23/2016 - 12:50
Meet the new companion!
From BBC America:
Mackie, who graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2010, played Anne-Marie Frasier in Doctors in 2014 and is currently performing in the National Theatre's West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.
"I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Doctor Who family," she said. "It's such an extraordinary British institution, I couldn't be prouder to call the Tardis my home."
Submitted by Paul Schultz on Sat, 04/23/2016 - 12:39
Jersey boy Mike Ian does it all on Puzzle Pieces. He performed everything on it and recorded and produced it at Eyeball Studios, the recording studio he opened in Cinnaminson in 1988. Want to hear a little rock, a little pop, a little country, a little blues? A little rhythm guitar, banjo, slide guitar, classical guitar? Ian delivers all that with precise musicianship and clean production. It's music that makes you feel good about yourself. So, take that razor blade away from your wrist and enter the form below for your chance to win Puzzle Pieces on CD!
In a genre where artists are all too frequently "all hat and no cattle," Tommy Brandt is the genuine article. I found Brandt's music while channel surfing and landing on something called Cowboy Church, where Brandt was singing his latest song, "Broken." The message was universal, the lyrics were unique, and the musicianship harkened back to a time when country music was easily identifiable as such, not a shade off from pop.
We sat down for a phone conversatin with Brandt about his music, his future and his faith.
What is it that drives you to do what you do? How did you get the calling and recognize that this is what you were supposed to be doing?
Submitted by Mike 'Ace' Maillaro on Tue, 04/19/2016 - 08:28
Welcome back to Critical Blast’s weekly look at what new comics you should check out each week. Just a warning, I make these picks pretty much a week BEFORE I actually get to read any of these comics, so if something is a stinker, I take no blame on that. Let's get to it!
Submitted by Dennis Russo on Mon, 04/18/2016 - 23:21
RAILHEAD by Philip Reeve is a sci-fi novel from Switch Press that takes place in the far future, across countless planets and star systems. And the fastest form of transportation? No, not by spaceship, but by train. Yes, train!
It seems that mankind has never lost its infatuation with travel by rail, and in this future so far removed from present day, planet Earth itself is basically forgotten, and only gone back to for a getaway.
Raise your hand if you've turned on your favorite country station lately and got a dance mix or a rap song. Yeah, I've been there too. That's why I was so pleased to have come across a new artist on RFD's Cowboy Church, Tommy Brandt, (whom we've interviewed) performing his latest number, "Broken." Delivering the perfect mix of country and western with southern gospel, Brandt's music is a refreshing call to what country used to be.
Brandt's music does more than recall the sounds of yesterday; it openly longs for the values of yesterday, with many songs packed with nostalgia and family memories. For instance, in "If I Had It My Way," Andy Griffith would've stayed in black-and-white and his father would still be alive.
JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. TEEN TITANS continues the DCAU continuity that includes such titles as JUSTICE LEAGUE: WAR and BATMAN VS. ROBIN, retaining Jason O'Mara and Stuart Allan as the voices of Batman and Robin.
The story opens with the Justice League in open battle with the Legion of Doom -- Luthor, Solomon Grundy, Cheetah, Weather Wizard and Toymaster -- at the grand opening of the new Justice League headquarters, which the public has deemed the "Hall of Justice." During the aftermath of the battle, Weather Wizard attempts to run, and is suddenly possessed by a shadow demon that longtime fans will recognize as being the influence of Trigon. Weather Wizard is released from the demon's control, but it takes over Superman and goes silent.
Submitted by S.J. Mitchell on Fri, 04/15/2016 - 09:28
Announcing on twitter that they've inked a deal with MYO Agency, the Nu-Metalcore band from Ancona, Italy, has released a lyrical video for a single off their debut album (with MYO).
The song, titled 'Say It To My Face', is an ear shattering, senses shredding, cocophany that will appeal to listeners who love it LOUD.
For the new single, Sharks in Your Mouth collaborated with Aaron Matts from the band Betraying the Martyrs. According to their facebook page (which is in Italian), the single is culled from the new album titled: PROMISES.
If your taste in music is head-thrashing, amp-blasting, hardcore metal, 'Say It To My Face' by Sharks in Your Mouth, will have you circling the cage hungry for more.
Submitted by S.J. Mitchell on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 15:00
Jordyn Kane is a talented young artist who wrote and performed the theme for DC's Super Hero Girls. Last week on twitter she announced the next project she'll be involved in...
Barbie: Star Light Adventure!
With DC's Super Hero Girls, Ms. Kane's work was focused on creating the girl-powered anthem 'Get Your Cape On'. This time around, not only was she involved with the music, but she'll lend her voice to the one-and-only Barbie! Having voiced the character 'Courtney', in BARBIE: ROCK 'N' ROYALS, this won't be her first time performing as a voice actor.
Submitted by S.J. Mitchell on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 08:46
Heroes and Villains FanFest has expanded their celebrity guest list for the upcoming event in NY/NJ. This time their bringing in Caity Lotz, who is currently a time-traveling LEGEND for DC's latest CW hit series.
WARNING: This announcement / analysis contains SPOILERS for a recent episode of CW's ARROW.
Her character, Sara Lance, went from party girl (sneaking off with her sister's boyfriend, Oliver Queen) to a deadly assassing with a crew of time-travelers; trying to stop a madman from destroying the world as we know it.
