Static Shock: The Hero w/ Room for a Motion Picture Franchise!

Static Shock has been a beloved character for decades, and supporters of Milestone are still waiting for Warner Bros to believe in Virgil Hawkins enough to... finally... bring him to the big screen. There was a time when the stars were aligning by way of a joint production between Warner Bros & (Michael B. Jordan's production company) Outlier Society, but we haven't seen anything as far as In Development/Pre-Production. Outlier Society's pending product "The Greatest" begins shooting several days into... January 2024. When it comes to information from the FTIA, Static Shock is nowhere to be found, and the biggest news DC-related are previous movies coming to Netflix on December 1st. Been there... done that! What's new?

Static Shock isn't part of the traditional DC Universe, he's from Milestone... now it's time for a new milestone by way of a live-action film. The character has a unique backstory and powers that would make for an exciting and fresh addition to the superhero film genre. Having another Black superhero in a major motion picture would be a welcomed addition, not only because the world won't end if there are more than 1 or 2 in their own feature film... but because the audience is there. An audience that consists of people from various backgrounds and communities, but also the Black community's superhero fans, comic book lovers, cosplayers, gamers, and so on who want the variety. 

Black Panther was amazing, and we can't overlook the love Miles Morales gets by way of his animated films (stay tuned for "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse"). Oh yeah... wait... wait... wait... I can't forget about Blade. You know the katana-wielding vampire hunter with the strength of the bloodsuckers with none of their weaknesses beyond that shared thirst? Yeah him, the character that pulled Marvel out of the clutches of ruin. Speaking of ruin, they'd better not screw up this new Blade film. Wesley Snipes would've been the first person I called to help shape it into the film that audiences love (and October would be the month I'd release it in theaters). That would make sense to me, not this weird desire to hire people who seemingly run multi-million dollar projects into the ground, but... I digress.

Warner Bros has solid examples of why this would likely win, and if I were them I'd strike while Marvel is scrambling to get it together. As long as the script makes sense.

While it's understandable that studios may be hesitant to take risks on lesser-known characters, I believe that Static Shock could do better than... Shazam! Audiences are open to new and diverse stories. Static Shock has a built-in fan base from the animated series that aired in the early 2000s and the comic books.

They could literally start Static off in school, and give him room to grow into an adult with abilities that electrify audiences. This can be done over time. Make two films, let it breathe, and then come back. Rinse and repeat.

In short, Warner Bros would be making a huge mistake by denying Static Shock a chance at a motion picture release (in my opinion). It's time to give this character the recognition and platform he deserves and see what kind of impact he can make on the superhero film landscape.

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Static Shock TV Series | Prime Video

Blue Beetle... Reviewed!

Special thanks to WB for supplying a copy of this film to review, our opinions are our own.

To start off, I must say that Blue Beetle offers an enjoyable movie experience. The filmmakers' evident passion and dedication to the source material shine through once you see the special features (then you make connections if you aren't familiar with the comic book series. Their goal was to create a superhero adventure that stands out from the rest while staying true to the original comic as much as possible. In many ways, they have succeeded, introducing us to Jaime Reyes, a Latino superhero taking on the mantle of Blue Beetle (played by actor Xolo Maridueña from the Kobra Kai TV series). Is the movie worth the purchase? Well, let's find out.

Story: In this film, we follow Jaime, a recent college graduate who is on a quest to find his purpose and a fulfilling career in Palmera City. Little does he know that his path will take an unexpected turn when he comes in contact with the Scarab, an ancient relic of alien biotechnology, which transforms him into the Blue Beetle.

While the film has its merits, it does have one notable flaw that lies in certain acting performances, which can be attributed to the writing and directing. Susan Sarandon's portrayal of the main antagonist, Victoria Kord, comes across as somewhat... cheesy and unconvincing. It feels as though she is trying too hard to embody the role of a formidable baddy but falls short of hitting the mark. It serves as a reminder that the quality of acting should take precedence over the fame of the actor. The actor (Raoul Max Trujillo) who played Carapax... owned it.

It would've proven more effective if she were the boss who harbored bitterness from past events, unaware that a secret was brewing within the company that she unconsciously was being used for. It would have been a surprising twist if she wasn't directing Carapax's actions, but more so the spark that justified the outcome. This would have made her character more authentic and their relationship more genuine... with a twist. Unfortunately, her wannabe cold-hearted nature could have been better portrayed in this approach over trying to be the big bad boss that falls short. While the director shares some blame, Victoria Kord comes off as a sassy manager. Dr. Sanchez could've been the one pulling the strings or working for Carapax in my opinion.

On the other hand, Jaime's grandmother showed promise, but the action scenes lacked oomph and could have been executed more effectively. The responsibility for this lies with the writer and director. I understand the desire to maintain a bit of comedy with select characters, but it felt like serious scenes with a touch of... Spy Kids during some of them (not to say it was bad, but it was a bit... wonky). 

The director struck again during a vital scene with Milagro Reyes (played by Belissa Escobedo) and her father that shifted the focus onto something less significant than what occurred shortly after with the family's home. This had nothing to do with the acting. All it would've taken was for Milagro to look at their home and then hug her father because the biggest concern was already at play. I believe this won't spoil the scene, but it gives you an idea of how simple it could have been to fix this weird moment.

Despite its flaws, the interactions between Jaime and his family add a lot of warmth to the film, making it a standout feature. It almost felt like a sitcom on the big screen, and that's a positive aspect. Without his family, the movie would have lacked an essential element and would have felt dull. Their chemistry and relationships create a perfect combination and are a significant strength of the film.

The cliffhanger ending of the movie leaves a lot to ponder. It hints at a potential sequel, but it's safe and may leave audiences unsure of the future. I feel like a sequel is justified for the simple fact that the Blue Beetle just got started, and we should be able to see him living the life of a full-fledged Superhero.

By the way, I have to give it to Rudy Reyes (played by George Lopez). He captured the unofficial sidekick role well even though many could fill these shoes in one way or another. He was utilized well, though his paranoia could have played a deeper role by way of doing things to confirm his suspicions. Maybe this would have opened the door that tied the grandmother's backstory in more because his uncle would have seen and heard things. 

There is always room in a sequel to dive deeper now that this film has taken flight, but we shall see.

Visuals: Visually, Blue Beetle is stunning, with impressive angles and visually pleasing shots. The city is vibrant, and the special effects were on point. 

Audio: The audio was also solid, although the theme music lacks something. All the music in that film, and that's the theme that they landed on? It's a short unfulfilling loop. I would've preferred a Latin hip-hop flare or something. There was enough playing in the film, so why not some theme music that borrowed from it?

Audio: Dolby Atmos TrueHD & Dolby Digital. While it doesn't show surround sound, it's there... don't worry (at least in 5.1 CH), and it enhances the experience.

Price + Special Features: Pricewise, you can get the Blue Beetle in 4K for $29.96, on Blu-Ray + Digital for $24.96 (best value), and DVD for $19.96. The movie ships October 31, 2023!

Special Features:

Blue Beetle Generations: Origins, Production Begins, In Full Flight and A Hero's World

Scarab Vision: Episode 1: Initiation and Episode 2: Mastery

Blue Beetle's Nana Knows Best

All in all, Blue Beetle is an intriguing superhero film, with an engaging plot and endearing characters. It has its flaws, but it's still a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.

Story 3

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price + Features 5

4.5 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophima 

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Blue Beetle | Jaime Reyes | Book One

Supergirl: The Sixth And Final Season... Reviewed!

Shout out to Warner Bros for providing a copy of this product for our review. My opinions are my own.

The sixth and final season of Supergirl is here, and I'm curious if things have gotten better than the second season when I stopped watching. I got really annoyed with the show initially based on the way they set up things between Supergirl and her love interest, James Olsen and then dropped it. If they were going to have a relationship, let it be, if not... they could've left it alone.

It wasn't just the way things fizzled out between them, I just didn't like how things were playing out with James in general. Even if his alter ego grabbed my attention for a second... I was already on my way out of the door. I say that to say, I don't know what happened from season three to five, but... let's see how season sixth plays out... shall we?

 

Story: So the season kicks off action-packed as we get filled in on where things left off in Season Five. Super Friends takes on Leviathan in the season opener, and makes quick work of her... but the party doesn't stop there as Kara takes on the immortal Lex Luthor and ushers phantoms into the season. For the record, this version of Lex Luthor is a trip (in a funny way).

The remaining members of the team are Supergirl (duh of the day), Martian Manhunter, Brainiac-5, Dreamer, and Sentinel.

This season Kara will spend a good amount of her initial screen time in the Phantom Zone (after her initial... situation). This will give other members of the team time to shine more as they get into... Phantom busting, taking on Dracula, time-traveling, and a sort of Ground Hogs Day (if you're familiar with that old movie). I think my favorite episodes this season were when they went back to the past, they were enjoyable and I actually found myself watching episodes 5: Prom Night + 6: Prom Again... a few times (which showcased Brainiac-5, Dreamer, and the 2009 versions of Kara & Alex).

Outside of the standard superhero action, they also touched on a serious subject regarding incarceration and the people in the system abusing their power to take care of the less fortunate (which includes child abuse taking place in a children's home). These episodes aren't just focused on these issues, but you get a change of pace with some depth to mix things up while also bringing awareness to things that actually happen (i.e. gentrification).

I don't want to give it all away, but you also get a new hero and villain that emerge in the first half of the season and they're sure to keep you locked in as well as the interesting side stories with Dreamer, and even Lena Luthor.

The writers didn't let the previous episodic characters go to waste either, they had more screen time in the second half along with the arrival of a familiar face, but they kept it wrapped up in a superhero bow... as the trying situation put the newest hero to the test. You can see in the episode that it's her moment as she finds her calling, and some real things are said (i.e. something that Martian Manhunter said while out on the balcony with Alex). I noticed that DC hasn't been bashful about delivering a message, but they were able to write it up well and open the door for the new heroine to potentially have her own spinoff. There was also something symbolic about how the baddie was taken down as well.

There is enough action and story to enjoy this season, but... the feisty fifth-dimensional Imp, Nyxly, is still on the move in the second half of the season and she's no joke. They found a creative way to make sense of the remaining episodes by way of the Super Friends & Nyxly going after these... totems. Each totem brings on a different threat, and... it mixes things up.

While dealing with the fifth dimensional threat, flowers are blossoming in the process. These flowers are Kelly Olsen, Lena Luthor, and Nia Nal. They aren't in full bloom at this time, so you will see those growing pains play out in different ways, but it adds to the interest and wanting to see them grow.

It's interesting how they bounce between these varous scenarios and then you see them having... game nights and stuff. Not saying they can't have downtime, it's just... funny to see (and they also have time for work, and other things that I won't spoil for ya).

Is Nyxly all bad news?

Does the season wrap up in a way that does the show justice overall? Hmmm... does a huge brawl between the Super Friends vs Lex  + Nyxly + 5th dimensional beasts & Gladiators sound awesome to you? I'll leave it at that, outside of one phone call at the end where I was like... EXACT (someone finally said it).

One thing I wasn't crazy about in regards to the final season is that only Alex & Kelly seemed to be written in terms of being able to have a relationship. Like jeez, there were plenty of Super Friends and no one else could get any love in their life from an intergalactic bae or something?

Visuals: Visual are quality as you'd expect, mostly day scenes to enjoy mid shots, closeups, over the shoulder, birds eye, and worms eye view shots at 1080P HD. Looking at the 3D animations made me immediately think of the... Injustice game franchise. There is this vision that Dreamer has where Lex Luthor appears, when you see if you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Audio + Extras: Audio was cool, I got lost in the action and didn't really focus on it like that, but there were times I noticed it enough to give a headnod in amusement. DTS TruSurround is what I listened to the sixth and final season of Supergirl with and I can't say I was disappointed, there just were moments that really stuff out to me as far as audio goes... although the surround sound might reveal some awesomeness.

Anyway, the extras this season include... Deleted Scenes + A Farewell Tribute to Supergirl. Look up in the sky... it's a bird, it's a plane, it's 20 one hour episodes that were serviced up this final season to round out this season. I just had to put that in there.

Price: As far as the price is concerned, you can get Supergirl: The Sixth And Final Season on DVD for $24.99 and Blu-Ray for $29.99SRP. Ofcourse we have the hook up for you, just click either link, but even at the prices here... I don't think you'd be disappointed with the amount of content that you get in this final season and how the writers laid it out for the most part.

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 4 (to be fair I went back and watched episodes again to see how the 5.1DTS-HD surround was on surround sound)

Price 5

4.75 out of 5 Cool Points

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The Flash: The Complete Seventh Season... Reviewed!

Many thanks to the WB team for supplying a copy of this product for a review, my opinions are my own.

The Flash is back with a new season and the twists and turns continue to gain speed as the Flash travels through time... mind... and cosmic entity. Is the seventh season enough to keep up with my attention span? Lace-up those shoes and let's go!

Story: In season 7, Flash is powering up big time with new heightened mental capabilities, and faster speeds... but is it enough to take on this season's baddies in awesome fashion? Yes, but... I want to see them do more with the fight scenes in this show.

Having speed is great, but... hmmm (I'm just gonna say it) Barry gets his a** kicked... a lot. All that speed and he still hasn't been given improved fighting abilities? Come on! By the way, if he's a... Speedster along with other Speedsters... I continue scratching my head as to why some of their fights are at standard speeds. We can see it at a standard speed but add some effects as if they're fighting faster... show the flashes and have the world around them moving at a slower pace. I can't be the only one who thought about this.

I won't say it never occurred because it happened at times to represent how much faster or slower the hero was vs the antagonist, but... I think they should've stuck with it to make it more cohesive. It didn't have to be those close-up dodges and stuff but if they wanted to kill it... those could've been increased a little as well. Also, someone should have put Barry up on some improved fighting skills by now (yes... I'm ranting a little), add in some martial arts training or even some friggin boxing or something so we can see his growth in that department too. I was tempted to nickname him asphalt because that's just how often I saw him laying on the ground.

Speaking of antagonists, you can expect to see the Flash pick up where he left off in season 6's cliffhanger versus the Mirror Monarch. If it isn't one thing it's another, because that fight ends up causing all hell to break loose by unleashing more threats on Central City. (Dun Dun Duuuuunnnnn)

They kept things interesting in between the Flash taking on villains like... Abra Kadabra, Psych, Godspeed, etc. One of which was Season 7's Episode 6 "The One with the Nineties", which was... quite entertaining. Cisco & Chester travel back to 1998 (which I myself declared as one of the best years of my life at that time... I kid you not), but they came to realize that there was a threat causing them to live the same day over... and over... and... you get the idea.

Get ready for some twists and turns in this season that will change things for season 8. I don't want to give any spoilers, but it's time to say farewell to some familiar faces, time for someone to experience prison life, time for a new Speedster, and an overall ending that could make the emotional people among us shed a tear. So expect action-packed episodes all the way through, based on previous seasons... I can understand why this is the #1 Series on the CW. By the way, the finale includes lightning sabers in the main fight of episode 18, which is sure to make some of you... geek. Episode 18 also leaves a threat on the table which could come back to haunt Flash.

Overall, I think they rounded it out well, and I'm curious to see how they move forward from here.

Visuals: Visually the show continues to look good, you get a solid mix of closeup, medium closeup, medium, medium full shot, full shot, and even other angles like bird's eye view + low angle shots. The Flash: The Complete Seventh Season delivered on the story, action, and... visuals.

Audio: The audio is pretty good, I enjoyed the sound effects and the theme music didn't require me to turn it down a notch. I don't know why... but one of my favorite sounds were the airy voices singing as Reverse Flash buried the timeless Wells. It was creep, but... cool and reminded me of Vampire Hunter D. The audio is 1080p DTS-HD Master Audio.

DTS-HD Master Audio: This is the top dog of DTS audio formats, and can be thought of as DTS’s equivalent to Dolby’s TrueHD. Master Audio provides up to 7.1 channels of uncompressed surround-sound audio. - Home Theater For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Price: The Flash: The Complete Seventh Season dashes in on Blu-Ray + Digital for $44.98 SRP & DVD for $39.99 SRP. Ofcourse you can get them both at our links and save on the highspeed action which includes 18 episodes + the following exclusive extras:

Special Features:

• Deleted Scenes (Exclusive to Blu-ray and DVD)
• Gag Reel (Exclusive to Blu-ray and DVD)
• The Journey Ends: Carlos and Tom
• Never Alone: Heroes and Allies
• 2020 DC FanDome: The Flash (Watchverse)

Good season, I just want to see that added depth when it comes to the fighting. It wasn't bad, but... I want to see Barry hold his own with his fist (at least) because I think it would add more to the show.

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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