Author Archive for Ben Gilbert

Ben Gilbert is an avid comic and movie fan, father of two amazing kids, and husband to one awesome chick. He resides in the hills of East Tennessee and still doesn't quite know what he wants to be when he grows up.

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Avatar State” / “The Cave of Two Lovers”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Avatar State” / “The Cave of Two Lovers”)

Book Two of AVATAR begins with Aang learning more about his powers and hints of possible sparks between Aang and Katara.

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Future Tense – R.I.P.D.

Future Tense – R.I.P.D.

This upcoming fantasy comedy features a fun premise and a talented cast, but does it have what it takes to stand out among the more recognizable Summer blockbusters?

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Siege of the North, Parts 1 &2″)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Siege of the North, Parts 1 &2″)

Book One ends with a climactic showdown, a tragic death, and another visit to the Spirit World for Aang.

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PoP! Top 6-Pack: The Best of Free Comic Book Day 2013

PoP! Top 6-Pack: The Best of Free Comic Book Day 2013

Today, we take a look at the six best comics offered during last week’s Free Comic Book Day. Which books were the standouts this year? Read on and find out.

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Review: Iron Man 3

Review: Iron Man 3

Ol’ Shellhead avoids the “threequel curse” in this newest offering from Marvel Studios that manages to be both action-packed and thematically rich. Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is off to a promising start.

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Northern Air Temple” / “The Waterbending Master”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Northern Air Temple” / “The Waterbending Master”)

As Season One reaches its home stretch, Aang and his friends score a major victory against the Fire Nation and finally reach their first destination.

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Holy Crap, Remember…RAVENOUS?

Holy Crap, Remember…RAVENOUS?

This period horror gem from 1999 is mostly forgotten today but is long overdue for a resurgence. Just don’t eat meat when you watch it.

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Ben’s Thoughts on C2E2 Days 1 & 2

Ben’s Thoughts on C2E2 Days 1 & 2

Ben gives his impressions of his first C2E2 in three years and being in one of his favorite cities once again.

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“Bato of the Water Tribe” / “The Deserter”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“Bato of the Water Tribe” / “The Deserter”)

Our heroic trio encounters allies both old and new as they get closer to reaching the first stop on Aang’s quest to battle the Fire Lord.

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Better Late Than Never – PARANORMAN

Better Late Than Never – PARANORMAN

This delightfully dark animated feature from last year proves that CGI hasn’t completely taken over the world of animation.

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Blue Spirit” / “The Fortune Teller”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Blue Spirit” / “The Fortune Teller”)

A new shade of Zuko’s character is revealed and our heroes get a little mushy in this week’s double shot of AVATAR.

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Holy Crap, Remember…MIGHTY MOUSE: THE NEW ADVENTURES?

Holy Crap, Remember…MIGHTY MOUSE: THE NEW ADVENTURES?

Animation vet Ralph Bakshi’s twisted revamp of the iconic cartoon superhero was short-lived and controversial but also quite influential and ahead of its time.

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Great Divide” / “The Storm”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Great Divide” / “The Storm”)

Aang gains some people skills and overcomes one of his biggest hangups, while Zuko gains some much-needed depth.

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Riddle Me This! Has COMMUNITY “Jumped The Shark?”

Riddle Me This! Has COMMUNITY “Jumped The Shark?”

The absence of creator Dan Harmon has been felt by many during the beloved NBC sitcom’s turbulent fourth season, but is there hope that COMMUNITY can once again reach the brilliance of past years?

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Waterbending Scroll” / “Jet”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Waterbending Scroll” / “Jet”)

These two episodes shift the focus from Aang and manage to give Katara and Sokka even more depth and appeal. Also, Pirates and Tree Children!

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Make It So – Kathryn Bigelow’s THE PUNISHER

Make It So – Kathryn Bigelow’s THE PUNISHER

The themes and plots explored by the Academy Award-winning director’s movies make her the perfect choice to helm any future film starring Marvel’s most celebrated gun-toting vigilante.

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“Winter Solstice Part 1 – The Spirit World” / “Winter Solstice Part 2 – Avatar Roku”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“Winter Solstice Part 1 – The Spirit World” / “Winter Solstice Part 2 – Avatar Roku”)

Aang makes a spiritual connection with his late predecessor and is forced to infiltrate the Fire Nation in order to continue his Avatar training in this deeply compelling two-part tale.

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Better Late Than Never – CRIMINAL Volume 1: Coward

Better Late Than Never – CRIMINAL Volume 1: Coward

The superstar team of Brubaker and Phillips resurrects the realistic crime genre in comics with this near-flawless collection.

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Hidden Gems – Jim Henson’s TALE OF SAND

Hidden Gems – Jim Henson’s TALE OF SAND

This lovely hardcover adaptation of Jim Henson’s previously lost screenplay is a showcase of comics as an art form and a testament to the diverse talents of a true American artist.

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The King of Omashu” / “Imprisoned”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The King of Omashu” / “Imprisoned”)

Aang and company still are nowhere near the North Pole, but if their detours are as entertaining as these two episodes, they can take as much time as they like getting there.

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In Defense Of…SAVAGE WOLVERINE

In Defense Of…SAVAGE WOLVERINE

Frank Cho’s ongoing series featuring Marvel’s diminutive mutant badass has been called silly, derivative, and otherwise insubstantial. I don’t disagree with any of these arguments, but that doesn’t mean that this book isn’t a helluva lot of fun.

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Southern Air Temple”/”The Warriors of Kyoshi”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Southern Air Temple”/”The Warriors of Kyoshi”)

Aang , Katara, and Sokka encounter some brief but notable detours in their journey, and the overall world of AVATAR gets further developed.

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R-Rated Reads – GET JIRO!

R-Rated Reads – GET JIRO!

This blood-soaked and darkly hilarious graphic novel from renowned chef and food writer Anthony Bourdain inventively updates YOJIMBO as a tale of culinary vengeance.

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Outside the Longbox – Sleepless Night

Outside the Longbox – Sleepless Night

No, this isn’t a documentary about a day in the life of our own Jared Whittaker. This is a tense and exciting French thriller about one really bad evening for a cop and his son.

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It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Boy In The Iceburg” / “The Avatar Returns”)

It’s New To Me – AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (“The Boy In The Iceburg” / “The Avatar Returns”)

A brand new cycle of IT’S NEW TO ME begins with the first two episodes of this cult favorite cartoon saga. So when do the Na’vi show up?

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It’s New To Me – “Two Seasons and a Movie” Edition (TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME)

It’s New To Me – “Two Seasons and a Movie” Edition (TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME)

One year after the abrupt cancellation of TWIN PEAKS, David Lynch unleashed this dark and divisive prequel into theaters, answering no questions about the show and providing more weirdness for weirdness’ sake. Thanks but no thanks, David.

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Hidden Gems – Brooklyn Dreams

Hidden Gems – Brooklyn Dreams

J.M. DeMatteis’ wonderful graphic novel based on events from his own youth is a must-read for all fans of coming-of-age tales.

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It’s New To Me – Twin Peaks (“Miss Twin Peaks” / “Beyond Life and Death”)

It’s New To Me – Twin Peaks (“Miss Twin Peaks” / “Beyond Life and Death”)

TWIN PEAKS sacrifices story and character for out-and-out weirdness in its final two episodes, which actually works a lot better than it really should.

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PoP!Corn: The Movie Podcast, Episode 0

PoP!Corn: The Movie Podcast, Episode 0

This week, Ben and Justin talk about all the latest movie news, including the boffo box office for Justice League 2 and the exciting announcement of Michael Bay directing the Star Wars prequel reboot, all while continually chiding their bumbling intern, Jason Knize. It all culminates in a shocking twist ending that will take your breath away.

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It’s New To Me – Twin Peaks (“Variations on Relations” / “The Path to the Black Lodge”)

It’s New To Me – Twin Peaks (“Variations on Relations” / “The Path to the Black Lodge”)

TWIN PEAKS races toward its finale with two highly entertaining episodes that hint at a possible tragic ending to the entire show.

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PoP!Corn: The Movie Podcast, Episode 43

PoP!Corn: The Movie Podcast, Episode 43

This week, Ben and Justin give their thoughts on JJ Abrams directing the next Star Wars movie and Netflix’s attempts to revolutionize TV. May the Flares Be With You!

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Holy Crap, Remember…Dirty Work?

Holy Crap, Remember…Dirty Work?

After his SNL stint and before he became an auto insurance pitchman, laconic funnyman Norm MacDonald starred in this bizarre,comedic romp that stands out as one of the most underrated comedies of the Nineties.

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It’s New To Me – Twin Peaks (“Wounds and Scars” / “On the Wings of Love”)

It’s New To Me – Twin Peaks (“Wounds and Scars” / “On the Wings of Love”)

Windom Earle goes on the offensive and a weasel goes berserk. Plus, love is in the air for a couple of major characters.

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Make It So – Guillermo Del Toro’s Doctor Strange Movie

Make It So – Guillermo Del Toro’s Doctor Strange Movie

Now that the Sorcerer Supreme is likely to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is no better filmmaker to bring his supernatural adventures to life than the acclaimed director of HELLBOY and PAN’S LABYRINTH.

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It’s New To Me – Twin Peaks (“Slaves and Masters” / “The Condemned Woman”)

It’s New To Me – Twin Peaks (“Slaves and Masters” / “The Condemned Woman”)

Lots of big changes occur for many characters in these two episodes as Twin Peaks reaches the home stretch of its run. Maybe the show will end strong after all.

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