IF/THEN is a different sort of musical than what you may be used to. It’s not an “easy” show; you probably won’t sit there quietly singing to yourself and straining against your better judgment to get up and dance along as you might with MAMA MIA!, GREASE or ANYTHING GOES. It’s a deeper, more introspective production with top-flight acting and powerful vocals.  It’s not a show for those of you who don’t care for intricate plots and complicated narrative. IF/THEN rewards the vigilant observer with a rich character study, more multi-layered than you’d typically expect from your traditional musical fare. 

When the banking crisis was happening, I was -- perhaps ironically -- working at a bank as an acquisitions analyst. (Not that I'm taking the blame for the collapse or anything.) But even then, hip-deep as I was in the business, the whole "housing bubble" was something I just couldn't wrap my head around. And if I couldn't understand it then, as a part of the industry, how could any average person figure out just how badly they were being screwed over?

Charles Randolph and Adam McKay do a bang-up job of making this elusive concept somewhat manageable in THE BIG SHORT. Adapting the book by Michael Lewis, Randolph and McKay break down a cerebral and dry subject and turn it into something informative and entertaining through fourth-wall breaks, cutaways to explanatory skits starring celebrities, and a focus on the quirkiness of the main players. This goes a long way to explaining why they won the Oscar for Best Screenplay.

Agents of SHIELD #3 by Marc Guggenheim and German Peralta

Summary: Coulson’s ex-girlfriend Lola is still working for the Department of Defense.  She seems to be trying to manipulate Coulson.  She also knows about the Kobik program, which is still active.

Coulson’s team is hot on the trail of the stolen Quantum Drive which contains plans to take down all superheroes.  Coulson is also really concerned about Rick Jones work as the Whisperer.  

​A&A The Adventures of Archer and Armstrong #1

Written by: Rafer Roberts
Penciled by: David Lafuente
Inked by: Ryan Winn
Colored by:  Brian Reber
Lettered by: David Lanphear

Published by: Valiant
Cover Price: $3.99

Maura Ellis (Amy Poehler) is a divorcee who has put all her efforts into helping other people at the expense of her own happiness. Kate Ellis (Tina Fey) is a wild-child single mother who can't keep a job. When they return to their childhood home to reconnect, they learn that their parents (James Brolin, Dianne Wiest) have just sold the place. So how do the titular SISTERS deal with this latest -- and seemingly heaviest -- blow to their self-esteem?

By reliving their high school days and throwing a wild party, inviting all their high school friends (and excluding all their high school rivals). But age has taken its toll on their old crew: parenthood, middle-life maladies, and the dreaded monster, Responsibility, have overtaken them. But this is nothing that a boat-load of booze and a buffet of illegal drugs won't conquer, courtesy of Dave (John Leguizamo) and his frighteningly built connection, Pazuzu (John Cena).

This week!

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!

Comics shipping this week

By: Patti & Chris Delloiacono

Chris: It's been kind of cool to see all the recent live theater productions on TV the last couple years. Unfortunately, as much as I love Broadway and musical films, PETER PAN, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE WIZ, etc, just aren't my thing. On the other hand, GREASE is one of my favorites. Now, I never saw it performed live, but John Travolta, Jeff Conaway, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing and the rest of the cast are icons that put on a performance that's been with me all my life.

The Leftovers-The Complete Second Season on BluRay is, as you would imagine, the next steps in the HBO original series, but this is not really a “pick up where we left off and spend the first couple of episodes bringing everyone back up to speed on what happened the first season." No this different. You will really need to watch season one first to get an understanding more of the people than the story line.

The basic premise is still the same. Three (now approaching four) years ago, 140 million people in the world just vanished—departed, as it is referred to in the series--and the world is trying to find out why. What has changed and is pretty significant here is that season two starts in a completed different part of the United States, a town in Texas called Jarden, located in the middle of a Fictional National Park called Miracle, with a completely different family.

Applewood Road is not only the name of the Album in review, it is also the name of the band--not so much a “band” but more of a trio of young musicians with a penchant for creating music that harkens back to a simpler, less “electric” time. The trio consists of Emily Barker, Amber Rubarth, and Amy Speace.

The three women met for the first time in 2014 in an East Nashville Tennessee café. By the next morning, they had finished writing their first song, Applewood Road.

Six months later, they got back together to write and record “Applewood Road.”

Applewood Road’s music is distinctly Americana with a “folksy” feel to it. It is not at all what I would call country music by today’s (or even yesterday’s) standards. The songs on the album remind me of the music that country music was derived from.

Marvel had a red carpet premiere for Daredevil Season 2, last night.  Luke Cage star Mike Coltier was on hand, and he was able to review when Luke Cage would be making it's debut:

"[Our show] going to be action-packed, from beginning to end.  Trust me...I will see the fans on September 30."

To see the whole video, go to Marvel's website!

Inspired by ALIEN HUNTER, a novel by best-selling author, Whitley Streiber, the new SyFy series, HUNTERS, will premiere on Monday, April 11th at 10 pm EST.

The 13-episode series will be executive produced by Gale Anne Hurd (“The Walking Dead,” “The Terminator Trilogy”) and Natalie Chaidez (“12 Monkeys,” “Heroes”), who also serves as showrunner, as well as Emile Levisetti (“Royal Pains”).

Having produced smashing successes like THE WALKING DEAD and a cult hit with HEROES, Hurd and Chaidez will no doubt bring an excellent adaptation to the small screen that should make fans of the novel proud.

It may even draw in some of THE WALKING DEAD crowd looking to follow Hurd onto a new project.

Show synopsis from the press release:

Michael Rennie was ill
The Day the Earth Stood Still
But he told us where we stand
And Flash Gordon was there
In silver underwear…

The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Campy Cult Classic  by Dave Thompson

Published by Applause Theatre and Cinema Books

Cover Price: $19.99

Avengers Standoff: Assault on Pleasant Hill Alpha #1 - by Nick Spencer and Jesus Saiz

Summary: A SHIELD agent in a far off outpost has hacked into the mainframe to allow his friends to watch NFL games. Winter Soldier attacks the base, forcing this hacker to help him steal some files and then hide his tracks.  The agent is later interviewed by Steve Rogers.  Rogers is trying to figure out what Bucky is up to.  He’s been attacking SHIELD outposts for six days now.  Steve is concerned that Bucky’s Winter Soldier programming has kicked in.  He realizes Bucky left him a clue at the last attack.

We still have two months to go until Captain America: Civil War hits screens on May 6...but we've got the new trailer, and it's...Amazing!

I’m a bit of a comedy snob. I can’t stand stupid comedy: low brow, “Whoa, Dude, I’m like, whatever!” fare is completely lost on me. I appreciate a more subtle hand in humor, a sly wit, a surprising turn of phrase. The British to be particularly adept at that brand of comedy, so it was much to my delight that I watched NOISES OFF, a stage comedy written by celebrated English playwright Michael Frayn and directed by Melissa Boyer for the O’FallonTheatreWorks. My only dismay is that it took me so long to discover this hilarious play.

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!

Comics shipping this week

This week!

Like an old friend you've just met, Joel Meeks is simultaneously captivating and disarming. When you see him live, whether he's performing by himself or rockin' out with a full band, his stage presence immediately fills the entire room with intense, contagious energy. The combination of his youthful spirit and timeless lyrics convey a distinct flavor of country, blues, and soul that leaves audiences feeling rejuvenated; just like a home-cooked meal.

From a gentle whisper ("When I Used To Think About You") to a bloodcurdling scream ("Rain"), Joel's ability to capture the exact emotion his songs require is unparalleled. He's also a multi-instrumentalist, highly proficient on saxophone, harmonica, guitar, mandolin and washboard. His songwriting is understated and tongue-in-cheek, yet profound and honest. It sends you on a roller coaster ride that allows you to laugh at the absurd one moment and feel the sorrow of lost love the next.

Black Widow (2016) #1

Written by: Chris Samnee and Mark Waid
Art by: Chris Samnee
Colored by:  Matthew Wilson
Lettered by: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Published by: Marvel
Cover Price: $3.99