Confirmed Epic Podcast Episode 33: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

    In the 33^rd Edition of the Confirmed Epic Podcast we review one of our most anticipated films of Summer 2014: Matt Reeves Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.   In what we have been checking out The Reel Brad Bell, BBQ17, and Andrew Stokes discuss:  Brian K. Vaughn’s: EX MACHINA, The World Cup, The WWE Network, TMNT Build a Bears, and the new Ninja Turtles movie figures by PlayMates.  In Epic News we discuss: Colin Farrell potentially being in True Detective Season 2, the rumored return of Young Justice, and Batgirl’s new makeover.  

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Action Figure Review: The Penguin (Batman Returns) from DC Multiverse by Mattel

    
    I still have very fond, vivid memories of going to see Batman Returns with my dad when it came out in 1992. I remember a number of details about the experience, including going to KB toys before the film and getting a Toy Biz DC Comics Superheroes Robin, but mostly I remember just how strange and dangerous the film felt to me while at the same time how captivated I was by it. As an eight year old, I'm not sure I'd ever encountered a film scene that left me as excited as Batman Returns' climactic showdown in the sewers. I'd also never seen a film that had villains as menacing as Catwoman and the Penguin. While Catwoman was definitely a femme fatale and a cool character, I'm not sure eight year old me was yet able to comprehend all of Catwoman's appeal or why she "felt so much yummier" but I totally realized just how weird and twisted the Penguin was. I mean, Joker was an insane villain who wanted to kill Gotham, but Penguin wanted to kill babies and drown people in toxic waste. That kind of stuff stands out to an eight year old, y'know? Of course, I'm not really here to discuss Batman Returns; I'm here to talk about the Danny DeVito based Penguin figure from Mattel's fairly new DC Multiverse line that covers a few different DC films and video games. Ready for a look at a version of the Penguin who eats raw fish, bit a guy's nose, and actually had flippers? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Raph in Disguise from Ninja Turtles by Playmates

     As soon as I heard about this action figure, I knew I had to have it. Not only is Raphael my favorite turtle but this figure totally reminds me of the original movie scenes where Raphael travels above ground in New York disguised in a trench coat and a hat. Further, the action figure Don, the Undercover Turtle has always been one of my favorite figures from the vintage toyline so I was thrilled to have a new toy that somewhat paid homage to the original. If Playmates ever releases a disguised Raphael in their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classics line, I'll freak out. I just know it. As I mentioned in my review of The Shredder, I'm currently cautiously optimistic about the new film that is slated for release on August 8th, 2014. I'm really getting into an even more hardcore TMNT groove than usual so even if the movie ends up being less than awesome, I'm still enjoying eating TMNT pizza from Pizza Hut, drinking TMNT crush, listening to Ninja Rap, watching the cartoon, and reading the IDW comics. Ready for a review of Raph in Disguise to help add to this radical summer? Then join me after the break...

Check it Out: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzas from Pizza Hut!

     For over a month now the good folks over at the Technodrome Forums have been discussing Pizza Hut's involvement with the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film (many of us remember the awesome TMNT promos from back in the 90's at places like Pizza Hut and Burger King) and we've finally got some official promo images from Pizza Hut about their new TMNT themed pizzas. I was so tempted by these that I actually went and hit up my nearest Pizza Hut to grab one for lunch. More details about all of the available pizzas after the break...

Action Figure Review: Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones by Dark Horse Deluxe

  
 Until I started working on this review, I had no idea that Jason Momoa of Conan the Barbarian, Stargate: Atlantis, and Bullet to the Head played Khal Drogo in the HBO television series Game of Thrones. The beard and make-up really threw me off! Anyways, if you want my opinion as to which figure in Dark Horse Deluxe's Game of Thrones line is the best, then Khal Drogo is the answer. Just looking at this guy definitely shows how a statuesque figure can sometimes appear more dynamic than even the most well articulated action figure. I'm a guy who likes with my toys so I'm not wanting all of my toys to sacrifice articulation for sculpt, but every now and then I'm completely good with a miniature statue. And my word, Drogo here is an excellent and fearsome miniature statue. Drogo is the khal, or leader, of a large tribe of the Dothraki. As the khal, Drogo leads his khalasar in battle, setting an example for them in courage and ferocity; that's perfectly displayed by this figure's excellent pose. Ready for a closer look at Khal Drogo, Daenerys Targaryen's "sun and stars?" Then join me after the break....

Must Watch: Vanilla Ice Ninja Rap Go Ninja, Go Ninja GO! - I hope this gets you pumped today, no matter what you're doing!

Action Figure Review: The Shredder from Ninja Turtles by Playmates

     At this point I am cautiously optimistic about the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film that is set to be released on August 8th, 2014. I really, really want it to be awesome but, like many turtles fans, I do have my reservations. This hasn't stopped me from getting excited about some of the cool new Turtles like the various flavors of Crush soda (we drank some on the most recent episode of the Confirmed Epic Podcast), the TMNT Gushers, and of course the new toys from Playmates. I'm rather charmed by the toyish simplicity of the TMNT toys based on the Nickelodeon Cartoon but I decided I definitely wanted some of the movie figures, too, so I selected a few that I thought might integrate into the Nick line: The Foot Soldier, Raph in Disguise, and The Shredder, who I'm reviewing today. As I mentioned the last time I reviewed an action figure of The Shredder, I'm not sure the character has ever had a truly definitive action figure and after reviewing this new move version, I still feel the same way (let's hope Playmates reveals a Shredder as part of their TMNT Classics line). We don't know much about Shredder's portrayal in the film; there are definitely some images in the trailer that make him look robotic at times. I guess all that will be revealed in a little less than a month, huh? For now, let's look at Shredder in more depth after the break....