Positively Nerdy

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again discuss all things cinematic with the latest episode of Ryan and Leah: At the Movies! This time around we’re talking about new trailers Malificent, Noah and Divergent as well as 12 Years a Slave and since it’s almost Thanksgiving we discuss Thanksgiving movies! (Yes, they exist.) Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode: First up, it’s trailer talk! Everyone loves Malificent, Ryan is perplexed by Noah but no one will doubt the visual brilliance of Darren Aronofsky and finally Ryan and Leah discuss the Divergence trailer. Leah is more excited about the movie with a new trailer and having just finished the novel, Ryan…still think it looks terrible. Leah went to the theater recently to see 12 Years a Slave. The movie had a profound impact on her as it shines a light on a very dark period in the nation’s history. We’ll be talking about this one again come Oscar season. To lighten the mood, Ryan and Leah discuss their recent viewing of The Heat, starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. While they both enjoyed the film and found it funny, it was not the home run they were hoping for. But as buddy cop films go, you could certainly do worse. Leah’s Cinematic Consultation for this episode is Addam’s Family Values! The movie that has become a cult classic is on of Leah’s favorites and features a convenient segue into our Thanksgiving movie discussion… …Yes, Thanksgiving movies do exist! Ryan and Leah found a list counting down ten Thanksgiving movies – how many have they seen? Or even heard of? And why does Ryan spend so much time talking about Home Alone? As a special bonus, if you listen carefully, you’ll notice a special guest joined us in the second half of the episode…because he just wouldn’t go to sleep! Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com leah@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It's the debut of an all new feature: Perusing PREVIEWS!For this debut installment we're exploring the PREVIEWS catalog and taking a look at some of the new and noteworthy releases of the month. I also will be selecting a group of 'Pick of the Month' recommendations from a variety of publishers!Don't forget to let me know what you thing of Positively Nerdy's newest regular feature! Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time for another round of comic book reviews, this time for the comics released in the first half of November 2013. We might be a week or so away from Thanksgiving but there's plenty to be thankful for including all our favorites at Marvel and DC as well as Bodie Troll, the brand-new Manifest Destiny and a double-dose of Star Wars!Comics Reviewed in this episode:Red 5:Bodie Troll #4Image:Manifest Destiny #1Reality Check #3Dark Horse:The Star Wars #3Star Wars #11Vertigo:Trillium #4DC:Superman: Unchained #4Batman Superman #5Marvel:All-New X-Men #18Amazing X-Men #1Superior Foes of Spider-Man #5Superior Spider-Man #21Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again explore the world of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics along side co-host Suine Hallock in the latest installment of the Radical Corner of Turtle Comic Talk! In this episode we discuss the long-awaited Bebop and Rocksteady one-shot and issue #26 of the ongoing series.City Fall is nearly at an end but before it wraps up, all hell breaks loose! Starting this episode off, we finally get to the long-awaited, highly-anticipated one-shot featuring the fan-favorite characters of Bebop and Rocksteady! Did the issue live up to its unprecedented hype? What did Suine and I make of the new take on these old favorites?The episode continues with the penultimate chapter in the City Fall story in issue #26 as everything comes to a head in a massive battle perfectly capturing every storyline feeding into the whole and leaving Suine and I wondering how this massive event will all get wrapped up next issue.Visit:www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan:Twitter: @positivelynerdyE-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! Suine Hallock is back for our final episode discussing the X-Men: Battle of the Atom event from Marvel!The Battle of Atom event has reached it dramatic conclusion but was it dramatic? Did the X-Event meet our expectations and what effect will this latest event have on the status quo going forward? Short answer: a lot. Suine and Ryan go through the final three issues of the event and discuss the terrific ending and where we go from here, from both a storytelling perspective and in our personal comic book reading. Don't miss our final discussion on the extremely fun and highly satisfying X-Event from Marvel Comics! Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! The latest entry in Marvel Comic's Cinematic Universe is here! Thor: The Dark World opened this past weekend and Ryan and Leah are here to talk all about the new film, from the first Thor film to speculating on the future of not only Thor, but all Marvel Comic movies.Taking place two years after the first Thor film, with The Avengers somewhere in between, Thor: The Dark World reunites Thor and Jane Foster and pits all the returning characters, including Loki, against Malekith the Dark Elf as he tries to to spread his Dark Magic across the Nine Realms. The film is everything that fans have come to expect from a Marvel Studios film. You'll have to listen to find out all the details of what we liked and how we felt about it all. We discuss Thor as well as The Avengers before tackling the new film, then we wrap it all up with our thoughts on the film's two, that's right two!, bonus scenes.

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! We've got a special comic review episode this time, featuring the three-part story, The Arms of the Octopus. A story that features the Superior Spider-Man, the original X-Men and the Indestructible Hulk!Written by Mike Costa, The Arms of the Octopus takes place in three 'Special' issues of All-New X-Men, Indestructible Hulk and Superior Spider-Man Team-Up. The three issues are, in turn, illustrated by Kris Anka, Jacob Wyatt and Michael Dialynas. The story features Spider-Man, Hulk and the X-Men working together against enemies and a bizarre time-travel mystery. The story features terrific action and brilliant character interaction and has a very classic Marvel vibe throughout. Don't let this story pass you by

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again discuss all things cinematic with the latest episode of Ryan and Leah: At the Movies! This time around we’re talking about new trailers for Hunger Games and X-Men, Star Wars rumors, listener recommendations! Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode: Just like when you go to the movies, we’re starting with trailers, specifically the new The Hunger Games: Catching Fire trailer and the first trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past. …And Ryan just can’t help but bring up the Captain America: The Winter Soldier trailer, again. It’s off the to rumor mill for more Star Wars: Episode VII discussion. Who’s been cast, when’s the movie actually coming out and who’s going to be in it are all discussed. Plus, could the toys be causing the delay? Leah’s Cinematic Consultation for this episode is Arbitrage, starring Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. Ryan went and saw Escape Plan and got exactly what he was hoping for; a cheesy, ridiculous action movie starring two of the best action heroes of all time. Whatever happened to the action movie star? Leah took a trip to the theater to see Enough Said, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini in his final performance. Leah enjoyed the chemistry between the lead actors and referred to the film as a worthy final appearance for the late Gandolfini. Halloween Hangover! We might not have taken in as much as we would’ve liked but there was time on Halloween night for a listener recommendation! The House of the Devil, recommended by Skylar, was a suspenseful tribute to another age in horror cinema and kept Ryan and Leah engaged all the way through the shocking ending. Looks like some of the Star Wars: Episode VII rumors can be eliminated now that the official release date for the highly-anticipated sequel will be December 18th, 2015! Ryan briefly discusses his excitement at the recent announcement between Disney/Marvel and Netflix for brand new series starring: Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Jessica Jones. The four individual series will all lead into and then combine in a final mini-series. Thor: The Dark World is in theaters as this episode goes live. But don’t worry, we’ll be back soon with a Thor-dedicated podcast. We’re not about to wait two weeks to discuss it so stay tuned!

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time for another round of comic book reviews, this time for the comics released during the month of October 2013. That’s right, the whole month! We’re making up for a missed episode and exploring the entire month. From all our favorites at Marvel and DC all the way up to new favorites like Farlaine the Goblin, Skyward, Rat Queens, Trillium and so much more! Comics Reviewed in This Episode: First Half of October Lightning Round: Image: Reality Check #2 Todd: the Ugliest Kid on Earth #6 Chew #37 Dark Horse: The Star Wars #2 Star Wars #10 Vertigo: Trillium #3 DC: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #6 Green Arrow #24 World’s Finest #16 Earth 2 #16 Marvel: The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #4 Infinity #4 Second Half of October: Action Lab: Skyward #3 Skyward#4 Studio Farlaine: Farlaine the Goblin #2 IDW: Star Trek #26 Image: Rat Queens #2 Saga #15 DC: DC Universe vs. Master of the Universe He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #7 Aquaman #24 Wonder Woman #24 Batman and Two-Face #24 Batman Superman #4 Marvel:Infinity #5 Uncanny Avengers #13 Indestructible Hulk #14 Ultimate Spider-Man #28 Scarlet Spider #23 Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #5 Superior Spider-Man #19 Superior Spider-Man #20

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! The month long Halloween celebration comes to an end with an all-new episode of ‘Comics With Catch-Up’ featuring a look at the first volumes of Locke Key and Revival! Locke Key and Revival are two comic series that I’ve certainly heard a lot about but had never experienced – until now. Thanks to my friend Suine Hallock, I’ve finally opened the door to the wonderful world of Locke Key! A chilling, yet engaging, horror comic, written by Joe Hill with art by Gabriel Rodriguez, that combines a realistic family dynamic in the wake of tragedy with complex supernatural elements. Revival, written by Tim Seeley with art by Mike Norton, is a “rural noir” that depicts how life in a small town is turned upside down by supernatural events. You’ve no doubt been hearing a lot about this series lately – and for good reason! Locke Key and Revival are brilliant horror comics that combine the mundane and unbelievable into stories so compelling, you’ll refuse to stop reading them.

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! The month-long Halloween celebration is nearing its completion but not before we finish out discussion on Resident Evil 4! We’re down a man for the second half of our discussion after Dylan Cook was carried away by a group of Ganados! But Suine and I are hanging strong to discuss the second half of the game including Krauser, It and the final battle with Sadler. We also discuss the bonus missions, weapon preferences and where this incredible game falls on our own personal ‘Best of’ lists. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again discuss all things cinematic with the latest episode of Ryan and Leah: At the Movies! This time around we’re continuing our Halloween/horror movies celebration but not before talking about Captain Phillips! Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode: The episode begins with Ryan and Leah discussing Captain Phillips starring Tom Hanks. Believe it or not, Ryan and Leah were actually ‘at the movies’ together – a rare but welcome change of pace. They discuss the movie, the real world events that inspired it and the incredible acting by not only Tom Hanks but also new comer Barkhad Abdi. A bizarre discussion follows as Ryan and Leah each comment on the bits and pieces they’ve seen of Frankenweenie. Ryan spent some time in the past, specially Universal’s movie past and re-enjoyed The Wolf Man, Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Leah’s Cinematic Consultation for this episode revisits the original Carrie since the remake is currently in theaters. Next Ryan and Leah discuss Silent House, a listener recommendation. They both really enjoyed the movie which puts a new and interesting twist on the haunted house genre. Incredibly Ryan watched, and enjoyed, the 1922 silent movie masterpiece Nosferatu. Leah wasn’t sure he could make it through it, given his intense fear of vampires, but he did. It was helped by the fact that Nosferatu’s appearances in his own film are brief but perhaps that’s what makes them so iconic. Then, finally, Ryan and Leah give their opinions on the unique and ambitious Escape from Tomorrow. Shot guerilla-style on location at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Escape from Tomorrow is a bizarre psychological thriller that neither Ryan nor Leah was anticipating that type of film. Did their own expectations affect their enjoyment? Regardless of their thoughts on the final film, they both applaud the effort and creativity that went into actually making the film. Don’t leave before the end of the episode…. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com leah@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! We're celebrating all things Halloween this month, just like we did during the month of October last year. So, just for fun, I thought I'd dig up a blast from Halloween's past and remind everyone of a episode that to this day remains one of my favorites! Episode #13 - The Haunted Mansion with special guest Leah, Pixel Dan and Jason Devall!

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! As the Halloween celebration rolls on we’re taking video games, an often unexplored corner of pop culture here on Positively Nerdy. But Resident Evil 4 is one of my favorite games and now is the perfect time to talk all about it along with our friends Suine Hallock and Dylan Cook! Suine, Dylan and I share all of out thoughts, opinions and memories on the fourth installment of the massively popular Resident Evil franchise. We share stories of our first time playing the game to all of our favorite, and especially our least favorite, moments. We discuss the different direction the series took with this installment and some of the more memorable villains. If you’ve played Resident Evil 4, you’re aware of just how massive this game is. So this episode represents only the first half of our epic discussion. Be sure to come back next week to hear the second half of our Resident Evil 4 discussion! Visit: www.positivelynerdy.comContact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! Suine Hallock is back once again for our penultimate episode discussing the X-Men: Battle of the Atom event from Marvel!Our third episode dives into the sixth and seventh chapters of the event, All-New X-Men #17 and X-Men #6, respectively. Throughout the two issues there is plenty of dramatic action, a whole lot of time travel, for both the characters and you the readers, and even more debate on the impact of time travel. Almost too much debate, actually. The argument starts to become repetitive and the only saving grace is the variety of X-Men available from multiple time periods to keep having the same conversation over and over. Suine joins me in some wild speculation before the episode comes to an end and we’re even treated to more of Suine singing! His own mutant-themed take on an Eminem classic, don’t miss it! Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com