Sketchbook: Christmas Paintings 2015

As many of you probably already know from reading my monthly updates, this year, I've been spending some time painting and writing. Among the things I've painted are two small paintings which I gave to my grandparents.

And now that Christmas is over, I can present them to the world without fear of anybody seeing these gifts early.

Christmas Delay (Posts resume next week)

In the wake of the NewtCave's recent schedule changes, this delay might seem alarming, but it's simply a matter of time. If I'm going to Recap and Review Iron Man 3, I'm going to do it right. Unfortunately, that's taking more time than expected.

Not helping matters is the fact that I've had to rush to complete a few paintings in time for Christmas, which I shall be posting pictures of on Saturday for you all to see.

Very sorry for the delay, but like I said, I want to do this right if I'm going to do it at all.

Thank you all very much for understanding, and a Merry Christmas to you all.

Recap: "Iron Man 3" Part 1: Ready

This is a film that invites quite a bit of discussion. Fictional politics, character interpretations, design aesthetics, storytelling tropes, you name it. Pretty much every single aspect of the film has been debated and discussed.

So I’d like to apologize in advance that it’s going to take me a little longer than usual to cover it. Let’s not waste time, then. I’m here to tell you exactly why I love this movie so much… and why that’s not exactly an opinion everybody can agree with.

How appropriate that a movie that features literal flame wars has created so many flame wars.

Recap: "Iron Man 3" Intro

One year ago, for Hannukah, I took a look at Iron Man, the first film in Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This year, for Christmas, I’m doing the same with its threequel. But it’ll take me a little longer to talk about it than usual. Because this isn’t just any movie. This is Iron Man 3. No MCU movie before or since has been this polarizing. This isn’t just something I can bang out in the middle of wrapping presents. Partially because I’m not very good at wrapping presents.

Something has gone horribly wrong....

So thank you all for an amazing year while I covered Phase 1 of the MCU. And as we examine the beginning of Phase 2, I’d just like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy Hannukah/Kwanzaa/Festivus. Even you, Ant-Man.

"Aw, thanks!"

Just shut up while I talk about this movie. Think you can hold your usual commentary in until we get to yours?

"I'll do my best."

That's all I ask. Now let's begin.

Known as 3 Demir Adam in Turkey. Do not confuse it with 3 Dev Adam.

Review: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Phase 1

Marvel did it first, but did Marvel do it best? Time to take a look at the first Phase of Marvel's groundbreaking Cinematic Universe.

Unlike some of the other things I've covered, like Back to the Future and various cartoons, the MCU movies aren't the most... uniform things. That is to say, they're the culmination of many visions and stories, rather than a 100% unified whole, especially in Phase One. As such, I'll be forgoing a few aspects that I usually cover when I look at such a big chunk of entertainment. Because it's kind of hard to talk about, say, the music of six movies that were mostly composed by different people.

But there are some things that tie these movies together, and they deserve to be talked about.

Mostly Iron Man.

Review: Doctor Who "The Unquiet Dead"

You know, I think that even if the old Victorian gas lamps were infested with ghosts, like in this episode, the people would still trust them more than those newfangled electric lamps. They'll never catch on.

Recap: Doctor Who "The Unquiet Dead"

Tonight marks the end of Hannukah for the year. So I think we can now actually call it the Christmas season, despite all the stores claiming it starts the day after Halloween.

My Christmas Day traditions are simple. Wake up early, open presents, visit my dad’s parents, visit my girlfriend’s parents, visit my mom’s parents, and then return home to watch the Doctor Who Christmas Special. Christmas has been a part of Doctor Who history since the very beginning, with the First Doctor breaking the fourth wall to wish the viewers a Happy Christmas during “The Feast of Steven.” And starting with the Tenth Doctor, yearly Christmas specials would be counted as separate episode from the rest of the season, meaning an extra episode every year. But when Doctor Who first came back in 2005, its first Christmas episode was just another episode. The third episode, actually. The one I’ll be talking about today, in fact. So let’s take a look at the Doctor’s triumphant return to Christmas.

Not to be confused with the time he goes to a place called Christmas. Spoilers.

Recap/Review: Gotham Girls "Scout's Dishonor"

Okay, look, another Gotham Girls, blah blah blah.

Let me cut to the chase: Again with this STUPID minigame.

Screw this minigame.

But at last, I shall have my final revenge. I shall beat it. I must.

Not good enough.

I'll settle for that. Take that, decade-old game!

Do I even need to Recap and Review the webisode at this point? I showed this game what-for. I'm pacified.

If this cartoon was nothing more than Bruce Timm flipping me off for a minute, I'd still be in a good mood.

Review: Doctor Who "The End of the World"

I think if we can take one thing away from this episode, it's that the Doctor gives terrible gifts.

But he does a great impression of the MGM logo.

Recap: Doctor Who "The End of the World"

Happy December, NewtCave readers!

As we prepare for yet another round of pre-holiday panicking, I think it's important to give thanks that we're not doing an entirely different type of panicking. I'm sure we all remember the "Mayan Apocalypse" scare of 2012.

Luckily, in case you missed the news, the world did not come to an end, and future children have yet another reason to make fun of my generation's paranoia along with the Y2K bug. And they'll probably bring up Orson Welles' War of the Worlds hoax, meaning I'll have to remind them that I'm not that old. Dang future kids.

But today, I'm going to take a look at the Doctor Who episode that's going to seem just as silly as the movie 2012  if the Earth is still around in the year 5,000,000,000 or so.

We'll probably be on the 4,999,786,517th Doctor by that point at least. Unless they reboot the show.

Recap/Review: Marvel One-Shot "Item 47"

You can't see it, but I'm sighing. Unfortunately, I've just now reached the midway point for the Marvel One-Shots. As of this date, there are only five of them. And it seems like it's going to stay that way, now that Marvel can expand their ideas for short films into entire shows.

Everyone knows about Agent Carter's show spinning off from the Marvel One-Shot of the same name, but did you know that so did Jessica Jones? And they have a few more ideas for One-Shots that were never made, probably so they can expand them into their own shows.

But I think that these One-Shots triumph when all they're doing is telling a single story. No more, no less.

So let's take a look at example of a One-Shot doing just that.

And yes, I'm aware of the in-joke of the title.

Site News: December, 2015

As ever, just to alleviate any possible concerns, the NewtCave is not ending.

I will keep reviewing, but unfortunately, I'm simply unable to keep up with the strenuous pace I've set for myself.

As such, starting this month, I will be posting twice a week as opposed to my usual three. TV Recaps/Reviews on Mondays, and other posts on Saturdays. Film Recaps/Reviews will still happen over the course of a week.

There are many reasons for this, but it all comes down to my situation.

I am currently unemployed. I make no money off this blog. And even if I set up some ads, I'd only be making ten cents a day at best.

So however I proceed from here, whether it be trying to sell art, write a book, or even get a job at Wal-Mart, I need extra time in my life to make it happen. And the fact that the holiday season has arrived before I knew it isn't helping.

So unfortunately, that little snag called "reality" has reared its ugly head.

But the bottom line is this: The NewtCave isn't going anywhere. It's just adapting to survive.

Doctor Who on Monday of next week, and Iron Man 3 down the line, too.

Rest assured, I'll see you then.

Review: "The Avengers"

Usually, before I review, I make some kind of setup comment before using a picture to deliver a punchline. Not today.

Today feels more like a pun-day.

Recap/Review: Gotham Girls "Gotham Noir"

Leaning back in my chair, I looked at the clock. 3:35 PM. It was a cold November day, as it had been for the past few days. Around my desk were assorted candy wrappers. The end of the cheap post-Halloween candy. Between them, my laptop sat. And waited. Two programs were open. Microsoft Word and Firefox. On the right, a blank canvas awaiting my thoughts. On the left, something I didn’t want to think about.

Gotham Girls.

I looked at the clock again. 3:36.

With nothing better to do, I cracked my knuckles and got to work.

While also wishing I had something better to do.

Avengers Review Postponed

(UPDATED)
It'll go up Monday. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Tuesday, I'll have explanations and announcements.

See you then.

Recap: "The Avengers" Part 3: Earth's Mightiest Heroes

No wonder they like to keep saying "Avengers assemble." Apparently, it takes them almost two hours to do it.

If they had assembled in Act One, Loki would be defeated by now.

Recap: "The Avengers" Part 2: Initiative

And now, about 80% of the Avengers will assemble. Dang it, Hawkeye, stop playing for the other team!

...that's not what I meant.

Recap: "The Avengers" Part 1: Assemble

Yeah, I'm going to warn you all right now. There was a lot for me to talk about. I mean, this is the culmination of five previous movies. This is the big finale of Phase 1.

And, this being the internet, if I leave anything out, I'll never hear the end of it.

So let's take a look at the largest crossover in film history and see whether it holds up after the initial amazement over the idea wears off.

No pressure, or anything.

Recap: "The Avengers" Intro

Last Hanukkah, I began my look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man. Since then, I moved on to The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and I now find myself here at the end.

Well, not the final end. Marvel’s going to draw out this money printer for as long as humanly possible, and we all know it.

But Marvel was about to do something completely unprecedented. Sure, there had been film crossovers before. AVP, Freddy vs. Jason, and Quentin Tarantino’s movieverse, for a few examples. But never before had anyone made four completely different movies with different characters for the purpose of teaming them all up in a big finale.

The result? Near-universal praise.

But among the voices celebrating the film’s action, humor, and heart, there were a few small voices trying desperately to be heard. These outnumbered voices managed to band together and eventually make their message heard. “It’s not that good.”

Do these people have a valid case to make? Perhaps. But I figure that the biggest crossover in comic history was something worth being thankful for. Which is why I'm doing this in November instead of during Christmas.

But before I can examine the film itself, I’ll need to go over exactly how this crossover went from being just a crazy idea to a new paradigm in filmmaking. Whether we like it or not.

Seriously, they’re trying to turn everything into a “Cinematic Universe.”

Review: Back to the Future Trilogy

First and foremost, I have neither the time nor the inclination to come up with a map of all the Back to the Future timelines, but luckily, the internet’s beaten me to it. Here’s one I’ve borrowed from the Back to the Future wiki.

Thanks, internet!

Now, I struggled for a little bit on exactly how I was going to talk about this trilogy. I mean, sure, I’ve reviewed entire seasons of shows at once, and I’ll even review Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe once I get to the end of it…. But there are only three movies to talk about. And I’ve already reviewed each one individually.

But when it comes down to it, for these three movies in particular, the most important thing I can talk about is the journey. When it all comes down to it, this trilogy is only about two people. Doc and Marty. So that’s probably a good place to start.

Get away from there, Clara! I said two people!

Review: Gravity Falls "Dipper vs. Manliness'

You know, when you really think about it, this episode isn’t the first time Disney’s given us a training montage based on the idea of developing manliness. You know, being as swift as the coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, and mysterious as the dark side of the moon.

It’s pretty ironic that Mulan succeeds at traditional masculinity to a greater degree than Dipper.

Recap: Gravity Falls "Dipper vs. Manliness"

Let's face it, "Dipper vs. Manliness" is the most unfair match-up until... well, untill Dipper gets matched up with the next unfair opponent. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's go watch a small boy have adventures in puberty!

...Okay, that might have come out a bit wrong.

Review: Avengers: EMH "Masters of Evil"

Well, this episode tried to deliver a satisfying payoff to the ongoing buildup, but kind of fell short. Reminds me of modern Doctor Who, in a way....

Along with the fact that the Doctor also likes to taste random things.

Recap: Avengers: EMH "Masters of Evil"

Man, doesn't "Masters of Evil" sound like some kind of show that would be on a supervillain-themed National Geographic Channel, alongside Treehouse Masters, Tanked, and a conspicuous absence of anything marginally related to things people associate with National Geographic?

Truly, the real Masters of Evil are the ones behind National Geographic's decline. And the cancellation of the DC Nation. And the cancellation of the third Tron movie.

Actually, last last one happened because of the poor box-office performance of Tomorrowland. So I'm choosing to blame all of the above on George Clooney.

Apparently, ruining Batman wasn't enough for him.

Recap/Review: Gotham Girls "Catsitter"

So, some of you might remember that a while back, my cat passed away. Well, since my other cat was getting noticeably lonely, we got her a friend.

This is Schroeder. He's called that because he won't stay off my keyboard.

Yeah, he can be a bit of a hassle. He like to climb inside my bed frame, gets on my keyboard, and likes to hide behind corners and ambush people's knees as they walk by.

Today, Harley Quinn experiences something a bit worse than that.

See? This totally wasn't just an excuse to talk about my new cat.

Review: "Back to the Future Part III"

If only Ronald Reagan had accepted the role of the 1885 Hill Valley mayor instead of turning it down. That would have gone along well with the references in the other two films. The filmmakers regretted that, Reagan regretted that, and audiences regretted that. Of course, audiences had more problems with this movie than that….

Recap: "Back to the Future Part III" Part 3: End of the Line

The final act.

The conclusion to not only this film, but the two films beforehand.

And let's face it. This movie was never going to live up to people's expectations when it came to a fitting ending, simply because it was a Western. But will it be unexpectedly satisfying? Let's find out.

Seriously, though. Robot spider. Done.

Recap: "Back to the Future Part III" Part 2: A Match Made in Time

And so, Doc and Marty return to 1985 in the DeLorean without incident and dismantle it, the end.

Yeah, right. Maybe in the alternate reality where Marty's played by Eric Stoltz.

And where OJ Simpson landed the role of the Terminator. No, really, that almost happened.

Recap: "Back to the Future Part III" Part 1: Time After Time

Out of all the genres that went out of style, none seems as resistant to returning in force than the Western. Heck, even the swashbuckling genre had a resurgence with the Pirates of the Caribbean films. And when you factor in the fact that this was a pretty huge change in setting for the series....

Well, this movie looked doomed from the start.

So let's take a look at one of the first failed attempts to mix sci-fi and Westerns before Wild Wild West ended that particular sub-genre before it could even begin.

If Doc builds a giant robotic spider, I'm done.

Recap: "Back to the Future Part III" Intro

Well, here we are. The odd one out. Not “the bad one,” but the one that doesn’t quite fit with the others. But no story’s complete without an ending, so it’s time to take a look at the wrap-up to the beloved Back to the Future Trilogy.

So this is how the trilogy ends. Not with a bang, but with a "whaaaa?"

Recap/Review: Gotham Girls "Bat'ing Cleanup"

So. Supergirl has her own show. Overall, people seem to like it, myself included, though it’s not without its critics. I don’t want to get into a huge debate, so I’m just going to say that what I like about it is its willingness to show a character balancing superheroics and a secret identity… without the typical super-angst. Whether she’s fighting aliens or deciding what dress to wear, she generally seems to be a happy person. And that’s pretty refreshing, especially when you look at something like Man of Steel.

But today, I’m going to take a look at the time when Gotham Girls did the same thing. But with Batgirl.

Who wants to start a petition for a live-action Batgirl show with me?

Review: Doctor Who "Rose"

Russell T. Davies, the showrunner and writer of this episode, had a tall order to fill. In order for Doctor Who to finally be able to cement its return, this first episode would need to land like the TV Movie never could.

Boy, did it ever. Even with a leaked version available on every file-sharing site before the premiere (one of the first shows to be leaked like this), “Rose” had nearly 11 million viewers tuned in. Rave reviews were everywhere. The positive reception to this episode alone earned the show a Christmas Special and a second season.

And yet… I don’t much care for this episode.

Recap: Doctor Who "Rose"

Ladies, gentlemen, multi-sex, undecided or robot, as they say in the year 200,000. After a 16 year hiatus (but only 9 if you include the TV movie), Doctor Who returned with the Revived Series, meant to earn back the old viewers while drawing in the new ones. As such, this episode would have to be a continuation to please the old fans, but if it got too bogged down in its own history, then it would be inaccessible for a new audience. You know, like people still tend to assume Doctor Who is.

So in the end, the plan was simple, but effective: Keep the basic facts of the show, but start fresh with new stories, new actors, and a reintroduction/exploration of the show's premise.

I've already gone over how to start watching Doctor Who, as well as all the issues that got the Classic Series cancelled in 1989. At some point in the future, I'll take a look at the rest of the false starts before the show got back on the air.

Including the attempt to continue the show as an online Flash cartoon.
Yes, this was intended to be canon at the time.

But today, we're talking about the time they finally succeeded.

The date was March 26th, 2005. Doctor Who returned a little over ten years ago. And since then, the title role has changed hands three times, companions have come and gone, and the Revived Series showrunner (Russell T. Davies) even handed the reigns over to another writer.

But what of this first outing for a fresh take on the old show? Sure, it was accessible for new fans, but was it any good? Will it be a masterpiece? Will it be a mess?

Well, grab your jelly babies and make sure not to blink, because the Doctor is back.

And it's absolutely fantastic.

Site News: November 2015

Well, another Halloween come and gone.

On the left, my pumpkin. On the right, my girlfriend's pumpkin.

So as the jack o' lanterns begin to rot....

Which I had in mind from the beginning when I carved my pumpkin.

I have three major announcements.

1. Today's post has been postponed to tomorrow. Even with Daylight Savings giving me a little extra time, I was busier this Halloween weekend than I thought I would be. Which brings me to my second announcement....
2. So, you know how in the past, I'd be all like "Sorry if I don't post as often this month?" Well, it's finally going to come true, to a small degree. From now on, there will be the occasional week with only Monday and Saturday posts. Though I'll still aim to do one film review per month, which takes me a week each, so I like to think it balances out.

I would like to make it abundantly clear that when I say "occasional," I do mean "occasional." Like, one week per month at most. An average month of the NewtCave features about six-to-ten Recap/Reviews and one week-long film Recap/Review, so this really won't make as much of a negative impact on my monthly output as it might seem.

There are a few reasons for this change, and it's been coming for a while.

1. I want to avoid another burnout in the wake of my look at all three Back to the Future films.
2. There are a couple other projects I've had on the back burner that I'd like to work on a bit more.

In the end, I'd like to avoid some of my more frantic posting. quite a few of my Reviews went up around 3 AM, only five hours before they go up.

So it's either a new schedule, or a hiatus. And if I go on hiatus... well, I'm not sure how easy it would be to get back into the swing of things, quite honestly.

But what's really important is this.

Don't worry. The NewtCave isn't going anywhere.

This month alone, I'll be continuing Doctor Who from where the TV movie left off, finishing up the Back to the Future trilogy, looking at an episode each of Gravity Falls, Avengers: EMH, and Agents of S.M.A.S.H., and also reviewing a certain Marvel film during Thanksgiving this year.

And don't worry, there's a convenient schedule in the upper right to make sure you're informed of what's scheduled when.

On a more minor note, earlier this year, I promised to add three non-comic book shows to my repertoire. Well, on second thought, Gravity Falls and Doctor Who are enough for now.

But in the end, this month will be business as usual for the NewtCave. And things kick off tomorrow!

See you then!

Review: Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. "The Strongest One There Is"

After making that joke about Xemnu showing up trying to find and challenge Hulk Hogan in the Recap, I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Xemnu did find him and got the 24-inch pythons unleashed on him.

I said "inch," not "meter." Take her away before I have to start putting money in the jar again!

Recap: Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. "The Strongest One There Is"

In 2014, a S.H.I.E.L.D. auxiliary team was framed for the destruction of Vista Verde. These....

Nah, I'm halting the A-Team running gag.

The Agents of S.M.A.S.H. aren't exactly going around righting wrongs. As we'll see in this episode, they seem to be causing more problems than anything else. And their goal isn't so much "helping others" as it is "proving their innocence."

So on this All Hallow's Eve, let's finish Hulkoween right with a tale of monsters, aliens, mutations... and wrestling.

One of these things is not like the others....

Review: Avengers: EMH "Gamma World"

Well, if an evil scheme's worth trying once, it's worth trying twice. Although I think the Leader has found himself firmly inside "Fool me twice, shame on me" territory.

Recap: Avengers: EMH "Gamma World, Part 2"

Hulkoween continues, and so does "Gamma World"!

When we last left our heroes, they had defeated the evil villain's plot, only for it to be revealed that the villain had a larger goal in mind that he was closer to accomplishing.

Of course, I've also just summed up the plot of pretty much every episode of Young Justice....

Recap: Avengers: EMH "Gamma World, Part 1"

Happy Hulkoween, everybody! Let's start the season off right by looking at a tale of horror, monsters, and people wearing costumes. Of course, that description could easily apply to The Rocky Horror Picture Show....

I hope I haven't disappointed anyone who apparently didn't read the title of this post and thought I was doing something for the 40th Anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I'm sorry.

Here's Harley Quinn doing the Time Warp. I hope this makes amends.

Anyway, let's get Hulkoween started with a couple episodes that use most of the leftovers from when this was going to be a Hulk cartoon.

No, really. A Hulk cartoon. Look it up.

Sketchbook: D&D Character: Rend the Steadfast

I've previously mentioned the first character I played in my last D&D campaign, an Assassin who was oblivious to the idea of temperature. Now let's talk about the second.

Review: "Back to the Future Part II"

Actually, you know what would be funny? If after this, we still have "Today is the day Marty McFly arrives in the future!" hoaxes. Either that, or we'll have to move on to something else. Like, "Today is the day SkyNet sends back the T-800 to kill Sarah Connor!" or something.

So expect those until we finally get to the year 2029.

Recap: "Back to the Future Part II" Part 3: Thunderstruck

It's the day after Marty McFly arrived. No matter how you slice it, we're living in the future.

But alas, as our revelries come to an end, I've still got to finish up Back to the Future Part II.

So let's continue.

Setting my calendar to go off February 14th, 2016....

Welcome, Marty McFly!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is now 4:29 PM (in California) on Wednesday, October 21st, 2015.

Marty McFly has just arrived.

And yes, I am currently watching Back to the Future Part 2, synced up so that I can see what Marty is doing this very second.

The question is: Why aren't you?

Recap: "Back to the Future Part II" Part 2: A Present for the Past

Boy, that's not an unwieldy post title at all. The...

Wait.

Wait a minute. What did that say?

My God....

It's Back to the Future Day!

Marty McFly arrives in eleven hours!

You can't hear it, but I am squee-ing really loudly right now.

So while I try to regain my composure, let's continue looking at Back to the Future Part II.

Why, yes, I will be watching this film synced up to real time tonight.

Recap: "Back to the Future Part II" Part 1: Future Imperfect

Sequels are tricky. You have to figure out which parts from the first film worked and which didn't. Then you have to put the magic pieces together again while also trying to make something new and different. Otherwise people complain that it's too much like the first one.

So. Back to the Future Part II.

Are we looking at a true companion to the original story, as in The Godfather Part II?

Or a rehash along the lines of Ghostbusters 2?

Let's find out.

One thing I think we can all agree on, though. Thank God this wasn't direct-to-video.

Recap: "Back to the Future Part II" Intro

Soon enough, we won't even need these cheat sheets anymore.

2 more days!

And pretty soon, we won't have to put up with any more of those lame Back to the Future Part 2 hoaxes.

Seriously, people, it's not hard to fact-check these.

So I guess the next big date to wait for is February 14th, 2016, which is when a psychic lady from Ghostbusters 2 said the world was going to end.

"Valentine's Day. Bummer."

Speaking of sequels, we've got a Back to the Future one to recap. But first of all, we have to talk about why they ended up going back to Back to the Future.

So lets go back to the past.

Or what used to be the present, because to them, this is the future... oh, never mind.