Schism The Calling Part III: Unification

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Schism: The Calling Part II: Blood Countess

The second episode. Bane of every writer, scourge of inspiration. If I ever will get one of my ideas to air on MZP, I’m sure I’ll dread the moment I’ll have to plan the follow up to my first episode. And for a good reason: it’s when you have to properly kick in the seasonal arcs, after you’ve introduced them, and still tell a compelling story. Not an easy task.

Although, to be honest, it’s probably a little easier for minis, when you basically have to carry on only a single arc . That said, since this episode is written by Overlord Chrimes I’m sure he’s already faced the problem before. Let’s find out how he worked around the issue.

Schism The calling part I “The Dracul”

And it’s back. I have to say I didn’t see it coming (before the promos, of course. I’m not that thick, thank you). Black Dragon ended on a sad note, so I’m all for our luckily not-sparkling vampires to kick more ass before they go down fighting (or actually have a happy ending. What can I say, one can always hope. )

I always loved the premise (who CAN’T love religious vampire warriors?) and while the series  had some problems (mainly because it struggled to find its own identity) I admired Tony for his attempt to mesh different genres (spy drama, action, history fiction and supernatural) and different characters.

Some of them were better than the others, and a few plot decisions didn’t sit right with us audience, but the show was always fun to read, if not perfect. Then again, no VS script is. Except for Eternity Ends. Which is only great.

Let’s not waste more time, though, and dive into this world of ancient vampires and twenty-first century music reporters.

Predator III

The original Predator is probably the most badass action movie ever made.  It was Schwarzy, Apollo Creed (sorry, Carl Weathers) Jesse Ventura, Shane Black (yes, that Shane Black) and Bill Duke and vs. a  killer alien, directed by John McTiernan. All us boys who watched it became man that day. What, you thought about that Chuck Norris guy? Pft. He’s never been in anything so hardcore.

So, how do you write a proper sequel to that? Well, there was Predator 2, which was very good (though a bit of a rehash of the original, only this time IN L.A!) and last year we had Predators (haven’t seen it yet). Then Tony Black pitched his own version of a sequel on the MZP board. And there was much rejoicing.

How did it fare? Let’s find out.

Modesty Blaise

FINALLY! I hear you saying. It’s true; Corvero’s Corner looked more like Corvero’s Backyard Alley in the last few months. I could list a gazillion of excuses (work, rent hikes, the missus, more work, walking the dog, a dinosaur invasion, even more work…) but they’d be only lame attempts to explain some MONTHS (not weeks, months. Bad Andrew!) of inactivity.

Well, I’m back in business. And what better way to celebrate than with the review that Mr. Gaskell is waiting for since the last Ice Age?

Shackles 4×12 “Human Catastrophe”

PREVIOUSLY ON SHACKLES:

The good guys only needed a family reunion to win and defeat the big bad. Who would have imagined it was so easy? Or maybe it’s too easy? There are two episodes left, people. Something must happen. Although in a weird way I’d have loved it if Angelo pulled a Sopranos and 4×11 was the last episode. Just “I surrender” and a black screen. It would have driven us nuts.

Shackles 4×11 “More Beautiful than Death”

PREVIOUSLY ON SHACKLES:

A dumb minister with awful moustaches created the first wave of Poisoned, you can always find a Truant when you need him, Mary-Lynn ate bugs, and we’re going to forgive Clarissa. More twists and turns than a mountain road. Eat your heart out, Lost!