The first Avengers:Infinity War Trailer is here!

That's right.  After months of waiting since the early leaked trailer at Comic Con, the first official Avengers: Infinity War trailer has been released.  So much to process already and you can see how the integration of the other Marvel stories integrate into this one.  Cannot wait for May 4th and part one of this story!

Giant Robot Duel

For over a year, we have been anxiously awaiting the Giant Robot Duel between teams from the USA and Japan.  Well, now it has happened and the fight was pretty good.  Cannot wait to see what improvements can be made for the next matches.

Gen Con 50

Wow!  Can you believe it?  The 50th year of GenCon, the worlds largest gaming convention is upon us.  I was regular attendee of this convention for almost 10 years starting in 1989.  It was fantastic.  I joined the RPGA (Role Playing Gamers Association) and advanced as a player and GM over the years.  Sadly, that group is gone now and I haven't been to the convention in several years.  When I regularly attended, it was still located in Milwaukee, WI and now has moved to the confines of Indianapolis, IN.

The 50th year for GenCon is a real testament to the world of table top, card, and role playing games.  The convention has sold out of badges.. I don't believe it ever did that and the convention estimates that 75,000 people will be in attendance.

There is so much going on at the convention.  I can't list it all, but there is a tremendous exhibit floor filled with the latest games vendors from around the globe, not to mention the Author Avenue housing new and experienced fantasy/sc-fi/horror authors ( I really want to be a part of that).  There is also a GenCon Writer's symposium where many of the best fantasy authors participate in panels and tutorials which offer tips and advice authors and storytellers.  This year's Author Guest of Honor is Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels that inspired the True Blood TV series.  This year's Industry Insider Guest of Honor is Margaret Weis.  Margaret authored or co-authored many of the Dragonlance novels, the Deathgate novels, and so many others.  I have gotten to know Margaret over the years and she has been an inspiration to me when it comes to writing.  She has her own company, Margaret Weis Productions, and you can find her at the convention at Booth 1425 on the main exhibit floor.  Be sure to stop by and check out the RPG game based on the Firefly TV series and her new book series, Dragon Corsairs, that is co-authored with Robert Krammes.  (Don't forget Tracy Hickman at booth 1549 as well...had to make the plug.  I so miss the Killer Breakfast.  Long live Tracy and Laura!)

There are so many games at the convention. Miniatures games galore, including Star Wars miniatures battles.  Some of these are huge fights.  Role playing games were my favorite.  One of my good friends, Scott Hala, is running several rounds of his adventure using the new 4th Edition Earthdawn  game, but FASA Games.  The game has really come around around a brief hiatus the adventure Scott has created is top notch.  I hear all the tables are sold out, but stop by the FASA booths (1929 & 2029) to get a look at the game, and what else they have developed.  

Replacing much of the what the RPGA had established is a new group, The Pathfinder Society.   This group has created a large and robust Role playing world for gamers to thrive.  I'm glad that so many role player gamers that thrived in RPGA found a good home with this group, plus many of the other RPG games at the convention.

I've done enough writing about it.  I need to go...I wish to this convention, but maybe next year.

Guardian of the Galaxy Vol 2 review

Wow!  Terrific movie. I won't give too many spoilers, but here goes.  The Guardians get hired to kill a powerful inter-dimensional creature and protect sacred batteries belonging to the Sovereign, a race of beings that have tremendous disdain for most other cultures.  They manage to do it in style, with Drax taking the credit, but before they leave, Rocket steals some of the batteries.

Needless to say, it puts the Sovereign's vengeful fleet on their tail.  In their quest to escape, a passing ship blasts the fleet to oblivion.  Enter Ego (Kurt Russel) and his associate Mantis, who find the team's crash landed ship on a nearby planet.  Ego, is a Celestial and as it turns out, Star Lord's father.

While Peter, Drax, and Gamora go to Ego's planet to learn more about Peter's legacy, Rocket, Baby Groot and a now captured Nebula are assaulted by Yandu's men, who were hired by the Sovereign.  After capturing the team on the planet, Yandu refuses to turn them over to the Sovereign, resulting in a mutiny.

Meanwhile, Peter learns more of who his father really is and his appointed legacy, but there is a dark secret (isn't there always).

Yandu, Rocket, and the rest of the captured group escape and head to Ego's planet to rescue their friends.

The end battle is spectacular.  Big battle, lots of drama and a great scene (already shown in trailers) with Rocket and Baby Groot as they discuss how to activate the ultimate bomb to save everyone, or kill them in the process.

There is so much to talk about in this movie that I didn't include.  I honestly think it was slightly better than the first one.  The only detraction was the music in the first movie was better.  I have to give it that.  Drax, Rocket and Baby Groot have some total laugh out loud scenes.  I loved this movie and I wonder what the next movie (they said they'll be back) will be focused on.  Perhaps they will be in the Infinity War movie or another stand alone.  Can't wait to find out.

Final Wonder Woman Movie trailer

The new Wonder Woman movie will arrive in early June, but the final trailer is upon us.  It looks terrific and points us at Steve Trevor's target; the woman supporting the German war effort with deadly poison gas.  The action scenes we have seen so far look fantastic and I hope the rest of the movie live up to the hype.

The Defenders Trailer is here!

If you haven't watched any of the Marvel TV series on Netflix (Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist), you need to go watch them now.  In August, the new cross over series, The Defenders, premieres.  Daredevil and the racy Jessica Jones were really good.  Luke Cage started a little slow, but got better.  Wasn't sure about Iron Fist.   The story had some plot holes, but it ultimately gives you a picture of who Danny Rand, the Iron Fist really is.

The Defenders brings all these characters together, including some of the supporting characters who have crossed into each of the TV series already.  I am really looking forward to this new series and how the who story fits together.  Including Scott Glenn and his return as Stick (Daredevil's mentor) and the return of Electra.

Here is a trailer...

Poster for Star Wars: The Last Jedi

In addition to the first trailer, the new poster for revealed for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.  I like it!.

Transformers: The Last Knight trailer

I have been a fan of The Transformers since the very first cartoon was released.  I watched the ragtag group of Autobots survive on Earth eventually reclaim Cybertron from Megatron and the Decepticons.  There have been multiple reboots of the story.  I personally think Transformers Prime was one of the best.  As far as the recent Michael Bay movies, I liked the first one.  The next two were ok.  The fourth movie, Age of Extinction was bad, just bad.  Good special effects, but the plot was awful.  Now here is The Last Knight.  The trailer shows more great special effects, but what gives me hope is the addition of Sir Anthony Hopkins.  He doesn't sign on to bad script movies.

Anyway, the bad guy appears to be Unicron.  It would be the most next logical step, but when Prime mentions his creator, I often wonder about the Quintessons, the mysterious creators of the Tranformers in the original cartoon series.  It could be and it would be interesting if Lockdown has been working for them.

Anyway, here is the next great trailer.

The new Star Wars: The Last Jedi Trailer!

For many of us Star Wars fans, December cannot come fast enough.  The first full length trailer has hit the digital airwaves.  You get glimpses of both sides of the Force, Rey beginning her training as a Jedi and Kylo Ren looking forward to the demise of the Jedi.

The Thor: Ragnarok Trailer is here!

Thor: Ragnarok arrives this November, but the trailer has finally been release and it is sweet!  Asgard in ruins, Mjolnir destroyed, Hela looks responsible and Thor is now a gladiator slave.  Who is opponent in the ring?  None other than the Incredible Hulk.  Interesting story line pieces need to be revealed, but it looks like a real thrill ride.  Check out the trailer.

Game of Thrones Season 7 Trailer - The Long Walk

Game of Thrones...yes, it was delayed to Summer... yes, it is only 10 episodes this season...but it looks so good and the great war is coming.

The new Wonder Woman Trailer...Epic doesn't do it Justice

This week, the new full length trailer for Wonder Woman was released.  It is powerful and paints a very hard picture of the princess of the Amazons.  This June will be a great time for movies.

Trappist, the next best space tourist destination

Visit Trappist for your next space vacation.  Tours begin 2120.

New Guardian's of the Galaxy Vol 2 Trailer

The first teaser for the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 movie got our appetites primed for the next installment for the Marvel movie blockbuster, but this full trailer is epic.  Gamora and Yandu joining up to fight with the team and we get to see a glimpse of Peter's (Chris Pratt) dad, played by Kurt Russell.  This year is going to be fun!

Middle Earth: Shadow of War trailer released

I wasn't sure about Shadows of Mordor when it was released, but after a few minutes playing it I was hooked and enthralled.  A great game and my whole family was awaiting the potential sequel.  Today, the new trailer for the next installment dropped.  It looks fantastic and I cannot wait until August 22.

Passing of Bill Paxton

I remember watching Bill Paxton first in Weird Science, as Wyatt's older brother Chet.  Then, it was on to Aliens, Twister, Tombstone and U-571.  My kids loved his character in the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare zombie missions. He was great actor, full of life, humor, and he will be missed.  RIP Bill Paxton.  As Hudson said, "Game over man.  Game over."

More Good News for SpaceX

SpaceX has had some setbacks, but they have had a good past few days.  They successfully launched one of their Dragon spacecrafts on its way to the International Space Station and now, they have landed their first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket that helped to launch that spacecraft into orbit.  This is a tremendous accomplishment and new step for all of mankind as we prepare for new adventures into space.

Here is the story!

https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/19/spacex-successfully-lands-its-first-stage-falcon-9-rocket-at-cape-canaveral/

Most Anticipated Movies for 2017

What do you think is the most anticipated sci-fi/fantasy/comic-book themed movie for 2017?  I thought about creating a survey that you could select like a poll, but I don't like them.  Plus there are so many good ones coming out this year.  How could you choose just one?

Instead, I want everyone to leave a comment with their top 5.  At the end of February, I will post the top 5 chosen by the readers.

Here is a list of movies I have coming out (if I missed one, please include it in your comment):

Lego Batman

Wonder Woman

Justice League

Logan

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

Thor: Ragnarok

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

The Mummy

Jumanji

Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi

Transformers: The Last Knight

Ghost in the Shell

The Dark Tower

Life

Valerian and City of a Thousand Planets

Kong: Skull Island

Power Rangers

Blade Runner 2049

War for the Planet of the Apes

Alien: Covenant

Spiderman: Homecoming

IT

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter

The Great Wall

Cloverfield 2017

Like I said, it is a big list.  Rate your top 5 and post them in the comments.

Rest In Peace: Richard Hatch

Another sci-fi actor has left us.  Richard Hatch passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer.  Mr. Hatch played Apollo in the original Battlestar Gallactica series and supported the franchise for years until the series was remade.  In the new series, he starred as Tom Zarek, a terrorist and political anarchist in the colonies before the Cylon attack.  He then sought to gain a voice on the Council of Twelve by creating new protests about the living conditions among the citizens on the ships of the fleet.

Apollo and his crazy wingman, Starbuck, (played by Dirk Benedict) were some of my favorite television heroes in my young life.  Mr. Hatch made his character resonate with so many people.  Thank you, Mr. Hatch.  Be at peace.

Star Wars Episode VIII new title!

Well folks, we have it.  The title for Star Wars Episode VIII has been revealed.  The new title is  The Last Jedi.  What could it mean?  Is Luke the only remaining one after his order in training was wiped out?  Will the Jedi transform into something else?  How will Rey factor into this?  Who are her parents really?  Too many questions and way too much speculation happening.  The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15, 2017.

Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Mid Season 3 Trailer

Now that Rogue One has come, the third season of Star Wars: Rebels continues and if it is anything like what we can anticipate from this new trailer, the remainder of this season will be exciting.  More Thrawn, large Rebel fleet space battles, Mandalorians, Sabine rocking her new Mandalorian Darksaber, we meet Sabine's mother, and we get to see Obi-Wan as the older Jedi from New Hope.  However, someone other than Ezra and Kanaan have been looking for him.  Darth Maul has come for a long anticipated rematch.

Check out the trailer and get ready for new episodes starting January 7, 2017.

Happy New Year!

Ringing in the brand New Year! Welcome 2017!