Out this week we have two DVDs to feature:  Kings - Season One, Monsters vs. Aliens.

• Kings - Season One: This show is just an amazing piece of surreal speculative fiction and drama.  The political intrigue and drama rivaled that of West Wing and Battlestar Galactica.  Kings was not renewed for a second season because of the ratings which I think was due to the poor time slot and promotions that did not do the show justice.  The cast is amazing.  This is a must own and I hope that with enough DVD sales they will get to do another season.
  
  
  
  • Get your copy from:  Amazon or 
  
  
  • More Kings on dashPunk and Reviews of episodes.
  
  
  • Listen to “Of Gods and Kings” a Kings podcast here and Subscribe
  
  
  • Watch Kings streaming online
  
  
  
  

• Monsters vs. Aliens: DreamWorks fun animated tale drawing inspiration from a lot of the classic 50's monster movies but this time they are here to help defend earth from the attacking aliens.  It is a renter for me but did receive good reviews from those who have watched it.
  
  
  
  • Get your copy from Amazon
  
  
  • More on Monsters vs. Aliens: Theater or Renter: March 2009
  
  
  
  

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A new episode of Kings airs on NBC this Saturday at 8pm.  I'm glad for it's return after the break.  Kings is a great dramatic show exploring family, loyalty, and political intrigue in a magic realism setting.  I know what I'm watching Sunday night on Hulu.

"Brotherhood" is the episode to air in which Jack and David go to Gath to shore up the peace treaty, which is threatened by Gath's dangerous request. Elsewhere, Michelle encounters problems stemming from her health-care bill, and Silas takes steps to prevent a plague from ravaging the city.

For more on Kings including reviews of the previous episodes click here

Check out the Kings podcast "Of Gods and Kings" which will also be returning to discuss the events in Brotherhood.

I have some bad news for the Kings fans like me:

"Kings" will return to its Saturday 8 p.m. slot June 13 and will finish its run through July 25 (Hollywood Reporter).

There will not be a new Kings this week.

• Future of Of Gods and Kings

Our podcast, Of Gods and Kings will go on hiatus untill June, and finish out the series then.

If you are a fan of Kings, now is the time to tell your friends about the series.  Let's try to surprise NBC with great ratings for the series when it returns.

Review of:  Kings 105 Judgment Day

Overall Rating: 9

Loyal Citizens of Gilboa, Gath and the disputed territories in between: When David's brother Ethan is sentenced to death for treason, David is asked to betray King Silas to save him from the gallows.  Watch the episode streaming online above.

This episode really featured the art of subtlety to enhance the feel and to tell the deeper story.  There were many instances where the use of subtle changes in the lighting enhanced the scene or to give us pause.  The imagery it’s self was subtly changed to give the feel of an absence which was a reoccurring theme throughout the episode.  There were also some beautiful scenes where the spoken conversation was on one topic and the subtle action was on a second completely different topic at the same time.

In this episode King Silas is officiating over Judgment Day.  It is one day a year where the king will officiate over 10 cases whether they are civil or criminal and regardless of whether a court has already given judgment.  The cases are without lawyers only the parties involved and the Kings ruling is final.  The spirit of judgment day is supposed to be about fasting and forgiveness.

The manner in which this episode approaches the path to power and the dangers to the individual is fascinating.   They set up a path to power that requires a hardening of ones heart, taking in cruelty and becoming cynical.  The characters exemplifying this best is Queen rose and King Abadon.  Through Michelle they show the other side of the spectrum where she is very caring and kind and has little power.  This creates a neat drama within the series with the characters of David and Katrina Gent as we watch them both move into power and must find a new path to avoid becoming cruel and cynical.

Isolation was a reoccurring theme throughout this episode.  I really enjoy how they do this through the king as he interacts with those around him.  They also do this through the subtle dulling of the grandeur of the palace and his environment.

This episode was also a Jack heavy episode.  I find it sad when watching Jack and King Silas.  Although they are on different sides of the fence they both struggle so hard for character growth and with all of that effort only seem to manage only a few steps in any direction.  For Jack if he would only get some recognition he might be able to improve.

Moment’s in magic realism

• The imagery of David in pain between the flag and his family


• The envelop with the medal in it falling to the floor just before Katrina Gent walks by.


• Andrew opens the drawer and Cross closes it.

Favorite quotes

• “Eggs without yokes sacrilege… Prometheus on the rocks gave better breakfast.”


• “What's the point of having power if you don’t use it “


• “Justice is in deferent to your own mood.”  “As is my own wife.”


• “I wasn't sure about God or how he deals with any of us.  Now I see God works through you.”

For More on Kings here.

Get you copy from:

Listen to “Of Gods and Kings” a Kings podcast here. and Subscribe



Next Week:

King Silas (McShane) sends Jack (Stan) and David (Egan) to Gath to reinforce the peace agreement. David quickly learns that the trip is much more than just a diplomatic tour when Gath asks for an unusual and dangerous favor. Michelle (Allison Miller) discovers that her health care bill may have created more problems than it solved. Meanwhile, Silas faces the potential crisis of a deadly plague entering his city.

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These are my links for April 7th through April 8th:

• Greg Bear to Write Halo Trilogy -


• Get an exclusive look at concept art for SCI FI's upcoming Riverworld | SCI FI Wire -


• Harry Potter's 'Crabbe' is busted for pot in London | SCI FI Wire -


• Gary Oldman NOT in Iron Man 2, First Look at Garry Shandling as Senator Stern | /Film -


• Ian McShane Interview - Deadwood and NBC Kings TV Show Actor Ian McShane - Esquire -


• 'Kings' exiled to Saturdays by NBC - Entertainment News, TV News, Media - Variety -


• MySpace.com Blogs - OTEP MySpace Blog -


• The Clone Wars gets ‘enhanced’ for rerun season -


• Hulu Blog The Search Continues -


• TV’s Web Revenues: $1.63B in 2008 -


• Netflix Nabs SpongeBob and South Park -


• Sony's Movies May Be Coming to YouTube -


• Cryptomundo » Giant Sea Worm Discovery -

These topics and more covered in our daily podcast, Project: Shadow Informant.

Review of:  Kings 104 Insurrection 

Overall Rating: 10

David's loyalties are torn when his brother joins the resistance after King Silas offers Gath the territory where David's family lives.  Watch the episode streaming online above.

Likes

• great plot twists and political intrigue


• the kings plan was awesome and calculating like he is playing chess and everyone else is playing checkers


• how no character is a stock 2d character even the guards have more depth


• David had to choose between his family and his family.  They live and hate you or are dead.


• Katrina Ghent’s character


• How the press is bought and sold to highest bidder and shows the news based on who owns the station not based on the news.


• When William Cross and Rev. Samuels are talking in the church: it’s like satin showing up to tempt the Rev. and in turn the Rev. tempting satin.


• Thomasina stood up to him and questioned him… “I don’t know how to protect this cold Silas”


• The symbolism with the flag and the winds changing


• the continued subtle use of political words like: “some ministry positions have recently opened.”  He opened them by terminating them.

Favorite Quotes

• “The position of your loyalty.  With your family or with your king?”


• “our blood our land”


• “keep your mood where it is and the staff will dust off the guillotine”


• “your like a cat on the edge of a bathtub”


• “he was a syphilitic walrus”


• Gen. Abner "I don't know why you think he deserves special treatment.”  King Silas “Only Concern Yourself With That I do."

Question for the Week

• Does the the queen really know who serenity is?

For More on Kings here.

Get you copy from:

Listen to “Of Gods and Kings” a Kings podcast here.

Next Week: Judgment Day

Judgment day arrives and David fights to get his brother's case heard before the King. Macaulay Culkin guest stars.

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Spoiler Alert

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I really like Gen. Abner’s betrayal… maybe.  He also demonstrates his prowess at playing chess with the king.  Who is the master and who is the student.  He executed everything so cleanly making it look like a message from Rev. Samuels, coming up with a legitimate excuse and being sent by the king to the church where Cross would be arriving.  Is Gen. Abner in league to betray the king or is he just a double agent flushing out the dissenters?

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Andy Hallet | Diversity in IDIC | Star Trek Stuff | Cthulhu, The Real Ghostbusters,  Dragonquest, Vampire Secrets, National Geographic: Journey to the Edge of the Universe, Ogre, and two Goosebumps: The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight, Return of the Mummy| Evil Dead 4 | Spider-Man 4 | Dollhouse | Legend of the Seeker | Kings | Vampire Hunter | and Community Comments Today on the Project: Shadow Informant.

Culture

• Andy Hallet Dies (via PinkKryptonite)


• Where is the Diversity in IDIC? (dashPunk)

Movie

• Star Trek Prequel/Sequel/Reboot gets Prequel/Sequel/Reboot (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  • 'Star Trek' Trading Cards (via MTV Photo Gallery)
  
  
  
  


• DVD Releases: March 31st, 2009 (dashPunk)


• Sam Raimi Is Actually Writing Evil Dead 4 (via Topless Robot)


• Sam Raimi says Spider-Man 4 script due by summer (via SCI FI Wire)

TV / Series

• Review: Dollhouse 107 Echoes (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  • Playing in the Dollhouse # 1 - "Echoes" (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  


• Review: Legend of the Seeker 117 Deception (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  • The Confessed #1 Deception (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  


• Review: Kings 103 First Night (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  • Of Gods and Kings #2 First Night  (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  


• Laurell Hamilton's Vampire Hunter heads to TV (via SCI FI Wire)

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Review of:  Kings 103 First Night 

Overall Rating: 10

King Silas makes a sacrifice to save the life of his illegitimate child, while Jack, who has ulterior motives, takes David on a wild night out.  Watch the episode streaming online above.

• theme of the show what is the cost?
  
  
  
  • Michelle: paying her cost for getting the proposition
  
  
  • Queen Rose: the cost paid to save the country
  
  
  • David: paying the cost for being popular
  
  
  • Jack: paying the cost for being the Kings son
  
  
  • The King: paying the cost for defying Gods will
  
  
  
  


• I love how they showed the value of David in comparison to the value of the king with the value of the seats at the ballet.


• The unmasking of the queen where we get to really see more about her character


• Jack is takes David out on the city:  we get the rules of partying with the prince.


• Get the answer to: does Rev. Ephram Samuels really talk to God and the proof is in the picture.


• do you think jack is jealous of Michelle?


• does the queen know about King’s “serenity”?

Best Lines

• “when we have art we have inspiration”


• “I’m not a saint.  No i bet you are just lack for opportunity”


• “Ice doesn’t melt in her mouth no one does”


• “I can not tell you of gods mind.  He shares with me at his pleasure”


• “Not even god is that cruel”


• “we were nothing but stone age clans warring with each other”

Want more?  Then listen to “Of Gods and Kings” a Kings podcast here.

Get you copy from:

More on Kings here.

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AT-AT dance | Weekend Craft: Optimus Prime | Monsters vs. Aliens | Haunting in Connecticut | Must See Monster Movies | How to Train Your Dragon | Sanctuary Interview | Of Gods and Kings | Knight Rider | NBC Summer Schedule | Stargate Universe trailer | Mushroomhead Crazy | WAR OF KINGS | Looking For Group | and Community Comments Today on the Project: Shadow Informant.

Culture

• Of Gods and Kings Podcast landing page is up (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  • OG&K #1 - “Prosperity” (dashPunk)
  
  
  
  


• Breakdancing AT-AT (dashPunk)


• Optimus Prime from 10.00 foam camping mats (via Instructables)

Movie

• Out this Friday: Monsters vs. Aliens, The Haunting in Connecticut (dashPunk)


• The 7 Must-See Monster and Alien Movies of the 1950s (via Film School Rejects)


• First Look: DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon (via /Film)

TV / Series

• Amanda Tapping interview on Sanctuary (dashPunk)


• Knight Rider Classic (via Hulu)


• NBC unveils summer schedule of sci-fi, including Merlin and Listener (via SCI FI Wire)


• Stargate Universe Teaser (dashPunk)

Music

• Transformers Music Video: Mushroomhead - Crazy (dashPunk)

Book

• The first issue of WAR OF KINGS is available for free, right now on Marvel (via Marvel)

Webcomic

• Looking For Group
  
  
  
  • Harvey Awards (via Looking for Group)
  
  
  
  

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Spring Cleaning at dashPunk | Hula Vader | Harp Playing | Freedom Formula | Transformers 2 & 3 | Leonard Nimoy | We Win | Kings | Legend of the Seeker | Dollhouse | Last.fm | Fate of the Jedi | and Community Comments Today on the Project: Shadow Informant.

Culture

• 31 Days to Build a Better Blog (via ProBlogger)


• DIY Crafts: Hula Darth Vader (dashPunk)


• Cantina Band Harp Cover (P:S HQ)

Movie

• Bryan Singer Developing Adaptation of the Sci-Fi Comic Book Freedom Formula (via /Film)


• Orci and Kurtzman Not Returning for Transformers 3? Will Leonard Nimoy Voice The Fallen? (via /Film)


• Vulcan Gets A ‘Yes’ (via TrekMovie)

TV / Series

• Review: Kings 102 Prosperity (dashPunk)


• Review: Legend of the Seeker 116 Bloodline (dashPunk)


• Review: Dollhouse 106 Man On the street (dashPunk)

Music

• Last.fm Radio Announcement (via Last.fm)

Book

• Fate of the Jedi website is live! (via Club Jade)

Subscribe

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Netflix lets you rent, watch and return DVDs from home - Try free for 2 weeks

Don't wait. Guarantee your seat before you go and  avoid a sold out show. Skip the box office lines and buy movie tickets at Fandango.com.

GameFly delivers the best video games to your door! Start for only $8.95 or Try for free