Pretty Good Week: Star Wars Edition

This may have been the best week for movie going in a long time. I believe I've seen the years best two films, both being sequels to some childhood favorite franchises.

Creed! I grew up loving the Rocky movies! I can't even count the numerous times I'd watch Sly Stallone overcome the odds to come out on top. And who didn't always be pumped up and ready to take on anyone or anything after Rocky conquered the unbeatable giant Russian, or whooped the young cocky champ in an alley? I'm not condoning violence and fighting, but these were one of my favorite film series' growing up.

This newest film tells the story of Apollo Creed's son following in his dad's footsteps, and calling on Rocky to train him, while in the midst of his own battle with illness. Inspirational to say the least! Excellent movie, that I absolutely recommend, and expect to see lots of attention during award season!

I Can't even begin to convey my excitement I felt and still feel about Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Here's me trying...

Pretty Good Week...

This week was pretty uneventful other than catching a couple movies in the theatre and finally finishing Daredevil.

For some reason , I wanted to see the Victor Frankenstein movie. You know, the one starring Harry Potter (Danielle Radcliffe) as Igor and young Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) as Dr. Frankenstein. I've always been a fan of the classic monster stories, so I had to see this latest take on Frankenstein...I gotta say, it was pretty meh...I feel McAvoy tried too hard to put his take on Victor Frankenstein, and it felt completely overacted, and Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) acting talent was wasted on Igor. Visually, the movie was nice to look at, but the script bored me. And ***spoiler alert*** how did Frankenstein become a ninja so he can kill his creation? He spent the whole movie drunk and psychotic trying to play God, then bam, warrior! I dislike posting negatively, but I also hate being bored! There was a bright spot though, in the actress who played Lorelei, Jessica Brown Findlay. I expect to see her shine in GOOD movies in the not too distant future! I spent entirely too much time talking about that movie!

The disappointing film is ok though, because I watched Krampus as well. I'll admit that my expectations were a bit lower with this one, but whoa! It was surprisingly creepy and hilarious at the same time! I'm not overly familiar with the Krampus mythology, but this take on it was very well thought out and enhanced with the intereting plot turns and humor. Krampus was well casted for what it was...loved it...such a fun movie that should become a cult holiday classic! Go see it this holiday season!

Staying on the holiday topic, be sure to go back and look at the interesting projects we've shared. You might find some unique gift ideas: Check it out

I did finally finish Marvel's Daredevil on Netflix. I kind of put it off for a while because it started off so good that I hated the idea of finishing the season so fast! Season two is gonna be so good! I'm really looking forward to the introduction of the Punished, played by Jon Bernthal! Now I'm on to Jessica Jones, and so far, it's fantastic. David Tennant is terrifying as Kilgrave! Hats off to Marvel and Netflix on the great shows, and some of the best villains in the MCU!

That's my week in a nutshell. Stay tuned and keep on sharing. Were almost to 1000 followers on Twitter, so that means a giveaway once we make that milestone. www.Twitter.com/thestevestrout 

Steve Strout is the media mastermind behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return in 2015). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout

Cool Projects #3

Ok, since these "Cool Projects" postings are becoming a regular thing, Let make it an official www.thestevestrout.com featured series. This group of awesome will be #3...Check out, enjoy, support, and share Cool Projects #3...

I literally just found out about this Lost Hope web series from our friend Vince Caso, who is best known for his role as Bladezz on Felicia Day's The Guild...The series, created by Jeff Saamanen, Natalie Harvey, and Myke Allen, is described as a cross between Archer and Battlestar Galactica! This trailer, introducing some of the characters was enough to get me not only intrigued, but pretty excited for Lost Hope.

 There will be a Lost Hope Kickstarter starting in January so hopefully you can help get this show off the ground. For more info check out www.losthope.tv ...Be on the lookout for a Q&A with Vince Caso too!

www.sukottostudios.com

Next up we have Sukotto. A Martial Arts/Supernatural action packed comic series, already on its 5th issue, with the 6th on its way. If your a regualar here at the site, you were introduced to the series early on in our interview with the comic creator, Scott Adams. This self published book is selling out at comic shops, and since it just went full color, it's going to only get better., so if your into ninjas, and demons, and ninjas kicking demon ass, then you will dig this. Go back and have a look at the interview with Scott, if you missed it HERE, and be sure to like the Sukotto Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/sukottostudios/

Ringside #1 cover courtesy of imagecomics.com

This comic isn't an indie book like a lot of the stuff we've been pushing, but Ringside has a place in my heart. I've been a pro wrestling fan off and on all my life. It's one of the earliest things I recall geeking out about (along with Star Wars and Comics), so I was really excited when I heard about this series, about the violence and drama in and out of the ring in the pro wrestling business. The series has been in the works for a while with writer Joe Keatinge, but it finally came into fruition when he connected with the perfect artist for Ringside, in Nick Barber. I had the chance to talk to Joe and Nick about Ringside a couple months back (Click here to read). Ringside is published monthly by Image Comics with issue 2 being published later this month. I really think it's worth checking out, if not as a wrestling fan, but for Keatinge's writing and Nick Barber's artwork! These guys should be household names in no time.

Take a look at my friend's chainmail work too. This stuff makes awesome gifts. Very unique and beautiful art! Go check out her shop at Www.scarlettstreasure.etsy.com

That'll do it for this round. Don't forget, we're doing a giveaway once we hit 1000 followers on Twitter, so go follow and tell your friends... @thestevestrout

Steve Strout is the media mastermind behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return in 2015). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout

Cool Projects #2

I enjoy sharing awesome projects with my followers, so here's a few more projects I dig. If you take a few minutes to check them out, you might too...These would probably make great gifts for the nerd in your life!!!

We all have our favorite superoes, and there have been hundreds of great ones over the years. You'll be surprised how many terrible superheroes were created throughout comic history. In Jon Morris' book The League Of Regrettable Superheroes, he collects and shares his commentary on dozens of the most ridiculous and obscure characters in comic book history. This is a fantastic and hilarious book worth checking out. More info is available at: /www.quirkbooks.com/book/league-regrettable-superheroes

Next on the list is for the fantasy and horror folks is from our friend, and one of our favorite artists, CD Poe. He created a coloring book for the grown ups in a tame version and a NSFW version. This is a nice collection of his signature styled fantasy/monster/pinup girl art that's gained him a following on the NW "Geek Convention" scene. Grab a copy of the coloring book (it's 20 awesome pages of his line work) and check out more of his spooky art work at www.cdpoe.storenvy.com/collections/1201818-coloring-book. I'm partial to his Tennage Mutant Ninja Turtles tribute piece. Go look!

Velocidad is a great Sci-Fi space action adventure so wonderfully created by Northwest guy Kasey Quevedo, that I find it hard to believe that this guy or the comic is only a web comic, and hasn't been snatched up by a top publisher. The ongoing story is very well written, and I absolutely love the bold, straight forward artwork, that could tell the story on it's own. Go read it for FREE at  www.velocidad-comic.com

Stay tuned for us to share other great work as it comes along, and be sure to keep spreading the word about www.thestevestrout.com ...We're really close to 1000 followers on Twitter, so be sure to follow, because once we hit that milestone we will be doing a nice giveaway featuring some signed items. Thanks, all!

Steve Strout is the media mastermind behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return in 2015). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout