"Meh" to AMC, Yay for Apes, Dr. Who World Tour, Geek News, + Cool Stuff

Over the last few years AMC has gotten a lot of press for their creative television shows--mostly good. I've been actively watching 'The Walking Dead' since its inception and I've also read all of the comics. So I'm typically excited when AMC develops a new show. As a geek and a history buff, I'm drawn to shows like 'Halt and Catch Fire' and 'Turn.' I'm also drawn to watch anything with Lee Pace or Jamie Bell. So in that regard, AMC has effectively fooled me, not once but twice this year. First with 'Turn' and now with 'Halt and Catch Fire.'

At first glance I thought that 'Turn' was going to be a smoky spy thriller set during the Revolutionary War. Instead we got 'Gossip Girl' with corsets. Scene stealers like Angus MacFadyen, Burn Gorman, and J.J. Feild were grossly underutilized. The immensely talented Jamie Bell has been reduced to a Bella Swan-like character. Will he or won't he? Does he love Anna or Mary? Seriously, if I want to watch a nighttime soap I'll tune in to ABC to watch 'Revenge' or 'Mistresses.' I watch AMC because it's different from the major networks, although it's slowly catching up in the category of mediocrity.

Via Comic Book Resources

Now on to 'Halt and Catch Fire.' Unfortunately, even Lee Pace hasn't been able to save this show for me. I watched the first episode and was pretty disappointed. I will watch two more eps before I'm out. I just don't have enough time to hate watch too many shows this year. I already have my fill of AMC shows to hate watch. I stopped hate watching 'Mad Men,' because I can only hate watch so many shows by AMC.

I'm on the fence as to whether or not I should add 'The Walking Dead' to my hate watch list. 'The Walking Dead' both infuriates and delights me...at the same time. Is that even possible? Brittani did a great post on hate watching last week. Once I get invested in a show (whether it goes downhill or not) I have to continue watching, no matter how much I hate it. I've used this analogy a few times before, once I'm on the train, I'm on the train until it hits the wall. Meaning, I'm a pig at a ham and egg breakfast. I'm all in.

via The Chive

Currently I hate watch 'True Blood.' 'Falling Skies,' 'Scandal,' 'Turn,' and 'Downton Abbey.' I started to hate watch 'Hemlock Grove,' but it was so bad even I couldn't finish it. 'True Blood' is cancelled after this year...thank goodness. Have you ever loved to hate a show so much that you watch it every week, whilst you hope it gets cancelled? So I guess I will have one hate watch slot available after 'True Blood' wraps. Any recommendations?

Trailers
New television trailer for 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' has been released. The trailer really doesn't reveal anything that we don't already know. What I find interesting about the film is that it depicts the battle that led to the fall of humanity and the rise of the planet of the apes. I don't think any of the previous ape movies have ever covered that. The film is directed by 'Cloverfield' director Matt Reeves and will star Andy Serkis (of course), Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, and Keri Russell. I know there are some James Franco fans out there, but I for one am relieved that he won't be in the film. I'm a little "Franco-d" out. Meaning, I'm really tired of seeing James Franco. The film releases July 11, 2014.

News
If you haven't seen the 'Game of Thrones' Season 4 finale then you're in for it. After a hit or miss season, even I had to admit the season finale was bloody wonderful. I can't wait to read what my two favorite 'GoTs' reviewers Sati and Brittani thought of last night's episode. I much prefer their reviews to the mainstreamers. For some reason most (not all) mainstream media is so lame these days.

So in other news Jason Momoa will be Aquaman in the Justice League movie, 'Batman v's Superman: Dawn of Justice.' Mind you, I don't think Momoa is an incredible thespian, but he's so charismatic and fun to watch. He brings a great energy to the screen. I know that Aquaman is supposed to be this magnificent blonde sea king, but Khal Drogo will rock it!

Via ComicBook.com

'Doctor Who' World Tour commences on August 7, 2014. The world tour will visit the following cities: Cardiff, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Mexico City, and Rio de Janeiro. This is truly a world tour. I wish I could meet Peter Capaldi! I don't think there's been this much excitement over a new 'Doctor Who' in a long time. Capaldi is probably one of the most established actors to ever play the Doctor.

Zoe Saldana is looking great as Gamora in 'Guardians of the Galaxy.' Even still, I think I'm going to wait to see the reviews for this one. There is something about the trailers that make me skeptical about this movie. Still I have to give Saldana some major cred. She's become quite the scifi darling, as Uhura from 'Star Trek,' Neyteri from 'Avatar,' and now Gamora from 'Guardians of the Galaxy.' Good for her.

Art
And lastly Happy belated Father's Day from George Takei. If you know what this picture is referring to then you really are a 'Star Trek' fan. (*Hint* here).

Dave Perillo created a very cool retro 'Buck Rogers' poster. I barely remember 'Buck Rogers,' as I was but a wee little thing in the early 80s. I kinda remember watching a few reruns in syndication, but it all runs together in a fuzzy 80s-tv haze, along with 'Manimal,' 'Greatest American Hero,' and the original 'Battlestar Galactica,'  That said, if you have ever seen Felicia Day's 'The Guild,' there are lots of 'Buck Rogers' references. So for that reason I thought this was quite cool.

ET in Zombie Apocalypse? Ok, why not.

I want that
Please note that if I put something in the "I Want" category, I never ever receive any money or credit for doing so. If I put something in this category, it's because I really want/like the product.

Who wants a 'Doctor Who' outlet sticker? I do. Why? Because bow ties are cool.

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and the rest of the scoobies finally got Funko figurines. About time. Although, I don't think the Buffy funko is that interesting. It's kinda dishwaster dull if you ask me. They could have played her up a little bit more.

This is a very cool 'Star Wars' sculpture made of out broken skateboard decks. It seems that 'Star Wars' fandom can/will make anything 'Star Wars-y' out of anything.

This is really cool. I would love to play a Jumanji game, sans the house turning into a real-life jungle. Currently it's only available through custom order. Email Gemma Wright (who is an actual prop maker) for more information. I'm actually surprised it took so long to make this. It's too bad it hasn't been mass produced yet. I guess if Hasbro (formerly Milton Bradley) can't make an uber cheap version they just won't make it.

Cosplay
Very cool 1996 Lara Croft cosplay. This person took Lara Croft quite literally. I like it. It's a lot better than some of the trampy Lara Croft cosplay outfits I've seen.