The Walking Dead S7x3 The Cell

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

After a visit to the Kingdom, The Walking Dead enters the Savior's compound. Daryl was taken capture after Lucille's massacre, so what is his life like now? How role does Dwight play in his captivity? (This post contains spoilers. As well, this post contains trigger warnings to topics of rape and consent You've been warned.)

5 Reasons You Need To Watch What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

Photo Credit: What We Do In The Shadows / Madman Entertainment

Throughout literature, television, and film, vampires are typically presented as horrifying and tantalizing creatures of the night: dark, brooding, waiting to feast on innocent people. Hidden under centuries of scary (and humanizing) lore, What We Do In The Shadows brings to light just how funny vampires can be.

I hadn't heard of this movie but had seen the fandom for it flourish all over Tumblr. Not knowing much about the flick, something propelled me to check this out as soon as I could. And it totally does not disappoint! In fact, it's pretty much become my latest obsession. I dare say the same thing may happen to you. Here are 5 Reasons You Will Really Love What We Do In The Shadows.

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The Story
In the same vein of mockumentaries like This Is Spinal Tap and The Office, director and writers Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi team up to spotlight a group of vampires sharing a flat together in Wellington, New Zealand. Hundreds of years apart in age and originating from all over the world, the vamps get along pretty well as they address their domestic concerns like chores, avoiding daybreak, getting dressed without seeing their reflection, and unusual obstacles while hunting humans. Tensions start to rise when a recently turned Nick brings danger to their doorstep.

The story has a great balance of hilariously showing the every-evening struggles it takes to be a vampire and actually having a bit of a plot. Is being a 'bloodsucker' all that it's cracked up to be? Well, the results are bloody funny. Believe the hype this movie's earned.

Awesome Quotes
A small worry of mine before seeing the movie was that it would be too raunchy or a one-note Twilight parody. (There is use of blood and curse words but it's not excessive.) It's pretty surprising how many references are made about other vampiric icons, but still manages to do its own thing, offering a lot of one-liners and jokes. I'm not sure I've ever laughed so hard!

Yeah some of our clothes are from victims. You might bite someone and then, you think, 'Oooh, those are some nice pants!

I go for a look which I call dead but delicious.

We're vampires, we don't put down towels!

(gif) The Worldbuilding
While world-building mostly centers on the batty fiends, it's pretty impressive how engaging the setting is. When they have run-ins with werewolves and humans, this underworld is something you can easily sink your teeth into. The werewolves made me howl with hysterics, even if they are not in the movie a lot. Nothing feels forced or tries to tackle too much with too little characterization or story. I kinda want to live in this fictional yet realistic world (but not really 'cause of immortality and killing people like #vampirethings.)

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Mix of Old and New
The mockumentary is a delightful mix of old and new. Humans are supposed to be purely off-limits except to serve as victims or to be turned. But Stu is pretty amazing - he's a software analyst who helps the housemates sink their teeth into the times and technology. We're along for the ride as they learn to text and use the internet. The crew's house is typically old-school filled with portraits and antiques. But the movie itself is delightfully modern complete with familiar gags while introducing them to the 21st century.

Favorite New Squad

Of course, I couldn't leave out the main characters. Maybe it's just me but the reputation of vamps has become a little bit repetitive over the years; the dark and brooding mystique often expressed in a story that tries to humanize them via a romance or their struggles to completely accept their transformations. Well, here, the crew is still humanized but by how eccentric they all are. Each behaves in a unique way depending on when they turned, who they love(d), and what gifts they have (flight, hypnosis, etc).

Viago (left) is the cinnamon roll, a bit self-conscious and cautious of how he targets his victims. For as old as he is, he never seems to quite get the hang of it. His tale of holding onto a lost love makes him an even sweeter dandy.

Deacon (middle) is a low-fi Polish ex-Nazi who loves to display his sensual dancing side. He's easily jealous but quick to defend his friends when someone tries to cross them. He also isn't a very take-charge vamp, as he has his familiar Jackie take care of most of his bidding.

Due to a humiliating loss in a battle against famed legend known as The Beast, Vladislav (right) isn't the best at his psychic abilities nor animal transfiguration, but he truly does try - to hysterical effects.

Petyr (not pictured) likes to spend time alone in his stone crypt, but one steely-eyed glance with this 8,000-year-old Nosferatu and you can't help but love him.

Each character is unique, and they don't get along perfectly, but it's believable enough to think these guys have been roomies for hundreds of years. Together, they makeup one hell of a goth squad - and probably your favorite new one too.

The Walking Dead S7x2 The Well

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

Hot off the heels of the series most violence episode yet, The Walking Dead turns it down a notch as Morgan and Carol's world gets a whole lot bigger. They're heading to the Kingdom. Will they find friends or foes? (This post contains spoilers. You've been warned.)

Matt the Radar Technician Cosplay at Halloween

Despite being a massive geek, I was never really a Star Wars fan. Not that my mom and sister didn't try to influence my disinterest over the years by watching the films and going to the conventions, as I grew up with the first era of early 2000s installments. But the Disney and J.J. Abrams's reboot changed my enthusiasm. And I guess you could say Saturday Night Live played a big role too.

When Adam Driver hosted the weekly sketch-comedy show, there was one clip I was totally obsessed with: Undercover Boss. The skit has Darth Vader's grandson Kylo Ren posing undercover at Starkiller Base as Matt the Radar Technician. Certain lines like "Kylo Ren is a punk-bitch", as much as I thought it was creative and funny. The entire skit became a fandom of mine ever since it aired.

Immediately, the video inspired me to make this my Halloween costume. I'm not sure there's ever been another costume I was so determined to complete as much as possible.

The Walking Dead S7x1 Day Will Come When You Won't Be

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page

The Walking Dead's season six ended not with a bang but a few whacks by Lucille. We finally pick up from The Last Day On Earth. There's nothing left to wait or lose. You've been warned : this post contains spoilers.

At the time of the recent finale airing, questions overwhelmed the summer break: how was the show going to conceal the victim's identity? could the cliffhanger be successful?

Thank You Glenn Rhee + Steven Yeun

As the old saying goes, a cat has nine lives. In the zombie apocalypse, former pizza boy turned wise leader Glenn Rhee had a thousand.

The comic books already sealed his fate. It was ultimately a matter of time to see if television would follow suit. After six years on The Walking Dead, we're giving thanks to Glenn Rhee and Steven Yeun, a cinnamon roll too precious for this world who managed to survive against all odds.

It's rare in television for good-hearted characters to not only survive in an apocalypse but also become a fan-favorite. Maybe we're often a pessimistic bunch and it irks us when someone can seem so damn honestly good, especially in a world when it's an eye for an eye, blood out for blood.

Sometimes we want to know what dark and tortured issues makes a person tick, what makes them sane or insane in a dog-eat-dog society.

Often goody characters also come with on-the-nose warning signs of their imminent peril. We never feel like our growing admiration is trusted in the hands of writers who will unpredictably cast aside our heroes to the wolves.

But somehow Glenn defied everything that literally stood in his way, not only from a writer's perspective but in this ridiculous world known as the zombie apocalypse.

I get to be the funny guy with the one-liners, I get to be the romantic male in the group, and I've been able to be a bad-ass on occasion. Actors only dream of an opportunity like this. - Steven Yeun

People survive differently; it can make them be a mayor of crazy town, become an unforgivable monster, or live and lead with others day-to-day. Glenn definitely fell into the latter group, but his way of life was more than simply existing. Level-headed, humble, and good-hearted, Glenn was a beacon of how people can choose to persevere if they actively chose to. He was a genuine light in the darkness.

Community made him mature. Love means sacrifice but it also symbolizes stability; where you love, you have hope. His relationship to Maggie didn't break him, no matter their accumulation of losses. She made him realize that being walker bait wasn't cool; it was time to grow up and consider the future, whichever is however long it lasts and what they forge with the right mindset and their own hands. They were each other's equals; giving strength to one another and being each other's guiding light.

The Walking Dead has proven surviving a zombie apocalypse not just a game of brawn. Being physically fit and wielding weapons certainly ups your odds, but a good portion of using your brains comes into play too. A lot of heart goes into persevering.

When shit hit the fan, Glenn thought about who he wanted to be when the dust settled. The danger that surrounded Glenn didn't stop him from being his own moral compass. Early on he accepted that every friend or foe has something to offer, and holding onto his humanity separated him from the enemies. He remained sane, diplomatic, helpful, and resilient. This is a whole other kind of courage that's very rare not just in The Walking Dead universe but the real world.

And let us not grow weary of doing good. For in due season we will reap if we do not give up. - message Glenn sees in Father Gabriel's church

Time after time Glenn's composure was tested. He's lost his cool and questioned whether his fairness to not mercilessly kill was worth it. But his obstacles only re-enforced his strength. His focus to rebuild shone through because of his dedication to not harden or hold grudges; to not cause violence for violence's sake; to be living examples of the wisdom and blessings he received by his family. For every person the group lost, he used a piece of them forward. He observed dire situations and saw the thru-line of what kind of person he wanted to be.

Glenn was so lovable and respected primarily because of Steven Yeun who played him. Unlike Rick, Glenn didn't have the freedom to run to the edge of Crazy Town and return back from the brink. Unlike Carol, Glenn wasn't someone who was a quiet yet significant force of nature. Unlike Daryl, he wasn't a gruff bad-ass decked out in leather jackets riding around on sick cycle and acting all mysterious.

Glenn had a good heart, and that's not easy to come across as too melancholy, kooky, or naive. Yeun's humble abilities carried a significant honesty to his character's downfalls and triumphs. Glenn was a steady stream of finding the good within the bad, ugly, and just plain atrocious. He smart, wise, charming, funny, hopeful, and realistic. Yeun did it all with an underrated genuine heart and kindness. His character's transformation is one of the most remarkable arcs of the series second none to Peletier and Grimes.

It's difficult to say goodbye to someone who provided such a reasonable, and calm presence in such a grim, bloody chaotic world. He is one of the most layered and respected members of the original and evolving Atlanta clan, and it will be nearly impossible for the impact of his character to be fulfilled in the future. As fans of the pizza boy, his admirable positivity and ability to think of others before himself will always be with us. To Glenn and Steve, for everything, I give a humble Thank You.

September Geeky Faves

It's finally autumn! Well, about halfway through October. The thing about living in Florida is that the seasons change for the rest of the world. It's still just hot down here. So Happy Fall to all! It's time to take a brief look back at September and some geeky faves that happened last month.

FanFest - The day finally arrived for me to meet some of The Walking Dead cast. It was so moving and fun to be apart of such a well-meaning event, where all of the proceeds went to OneOrlando. Meeting several members of the show is something I'll never forget.

3 Fictional Characters - A meme spread throughout social media to describe yourself in three fictional characters. I chose Belle (initially) from Beauty and the Best but any version of her would fit (probably). Agent Carter - just 'cause I'm trying to be confident with my value. And Dorothy Zbornack. Offline, I think my face is stuck like her deadpan gaze.

Read The Martian - Hallejuah! Bookish dreams can come true. I finally read The Martian. My mission and wait was worth it. In the case of book versus movie, it was a tough call.

Halloween Costume: For the first time in a few years, I'm super excited about Halloween costume. It was such a long time in the making to find as many similar or exact pieces as possible. What a relief to have it all complete before I go to a major Halloween party. Follow me in Instagram, I'm leading a trail of breadcrumbs.,,,

Plans for November: Try NanoWriMo (but with my own daily/weekly word count), finish my TBR, start reading Outlander, watch more Halloween movies, try some Pumpkin-infused treats.