On Monday’s edition of the GeekGirl Daily, Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will be available on Wednesday, July 29, however, it’s streaming on the Xbox One console now. Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for 1 year for current Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. That is a huge deal considering there is usually an upgrade fee with the Windows operating system. The price point for new users is $119 for the home edition and $199 for the pro edition, and even that pricing is not too shabby. That’s not enough for a hardened Mac user like me to switch to PC again, but I might consider getting PC as a backup, and I can always just check it out on my Xbox One.
Speaking of Apple, the Apple Watch isn’t doing too well, and I wonder why. The price point is kind of ridiculous and pretty much alienated their core demographic. For an accessory that does everything your phone does except call independently coming in at $550-$1,100 for the standard edition is a bit much. And I think everyone can agree that the Apple Watch Edition starting at $10,000 is a bit of a joke considering only the bezel and buckle are in gold. Here’s hoping that when the Apple Watch 2 or S or whatever they decide to call the next iteration will have some nice features that will make consumers want to buy it other than just being an apple product.
Segueing into TV news, fans are raging over the casting of Nikki Reed as Betsy Ross in Sleepy Hollow, and I totally agree with them because Why? Why do we need her? The casting notice made mention of this incarnation of Betsy Ross being the “Mrs. Smith” to Icabod’s “Mr. Smith”, which already lets me know I’m not going to like this season at all. Not to mention they are throwing in some pointless crossover with Bones, a show that is dying a slow death when Sleepy Hollow is already on life support. Pretty much if I don’t like what I see in the season premiere, I’m not sticking around for the cross over episode, and I think the majority of the fanbase will agree with me.
My editor had to gently remind me more than once this weekend that we were reporting on all of Comic-Con, and not just on Once Upon a Time. But the latter is all that’s been on my mind.
I’m a well-rounded and cultured geek, but my heart really belongs to Once and it yearns for any scrap of news about it. This weekend did not disappoint.
While I did not have the personal honor of standing in line for four hours, snacking on hastily made-in-my-motel-room peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and readjusting my cosplay headpiece, I did get to delve into the up-to-the-minute news as it splashed across the Twittersphere: The Dark Swan is coming!
Let’s not beat around the beanstalk. Here’s the video, courtesy of ABC:
Ok, I have a lot of questions about this trailer:
Why is Emma in Rumple’s old cell? How did she get back to the Enchanted Forest? Has time been rewritten?
Who caught her and how?
Why did Emma crush the guard’s heart when she could have used it to control him and either release her or do her bidding? Is Emma there of her own accord?
Why does everyone always get an evil makeover when they go bad? How does magic know to put you in black leather and slick your hair back? Where does one get lipstick in a dungeon?
Fan enthusiasm is running high, and cosplay is already happening!
And while there’s a ton of love for the 5th season of Once, there is also trepidation:
Colin O’Donoghue, who plays Captain Hook, had this to add at the cast’s panel earlier today:
“He found love with Emma, so he’s desperately trying to hold onto that, be the better man and keep her heart safe. But he has been a villain and his girlfriend’s nasty now… in a good way. He really struggled with staying on the right path, so it’ll be interesting to see where he goes now.”
To which series creator Edward Kitsis added:
Of course there are the other loose ends season 4 left us, like Rumple’s fate, Zelena and Robin’s unborn baby, and Henry’s status as the Author. According to the panel, we do know that Rumple may no longer be the Dark One, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t still a tricky deal maker. You don’t do a job for nearly 300 years and just forget how its done because you got fired.
Hmm… Maybe he might need a refresher course…
*nervous fidgeting* Sorry, I just can’t stop thinking about what this all will mean for Emma and how it will affect her whole life going forward. We’ve seen just how twisted Once villains can become if left too long in the dark side. Will Emma be able to overcome ripping out an innocent man’s heart? And what else has she done since we last saw her on the streets of Storybrooke?
No matter what new tidbits and revelations come, we do know one thing for sure:
Girl, I feel ya!
You can follow all the #OUAT Twitter action by using #DarkSwan and, of course, #OnceUponATime.
Did you see the panel for yourself? What do you think of the Dark Swan’s arrival? And where are Emm’s eyebrows??
Happy Father’s Day to the dads, fathers, grandpas, uncles, brothers, partners, and other gentlemen who offer us their love and support each and every day of the year.
This exchange happened while celebrating Father’s Day at my parents’ house this year. Me: “Dad, do you consider yourself a geek?” My dad: “No, I’m pretty darn cool.” My mom: “You can be a geek and be cool. Being a geek is cool!” Though my dad was joking (mostly; he really is cool), my mom definitely had a point.
Today we’re going to celebrate some of the geeky and cool men in the lives of GeekGirl World contributors.
Nicole’s Dad
Nicole and her Dad
I would never call my dad a nerd or a geek. He is a blue-collared, tough-as-nails, conservative Texan who could probably kill a man with a glare. He doesn’t know the difference between Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Captain Mal Reynolds, or Captain Jack Harkness. His favorite past time involves smoking brisket in the backyard while watching the Dallas Cowboys football game while his vegetarian daughter read a book on the couch.
Though different, my dad has always been very supportive of the fact I was always a little… quirky. As a kid, he and my mom would drive me all over town looking for books in the obscure series I was reading. Once, as a teenager, he came to pick me up from school when I was reprimanded for breaking dresscode for having a lip ring. “Shouldn’t she be allowed to express herself?” he demanded. Later, he told me my lip ring was stupid and I better not do anything else dumb like guage my ears.
Yes, although my dad is not a nerd or a geek, he’s definitely a dork (just don’t tell anyone, it will ruin his street cred). He will sing songs about my dogs, tell me puns that make me laugh so hard I forget what they were about, and share wild stories about how he met the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the sewer. He gets me “drinky-drinks and snacky-snacks” when he goes to the store, answers to the nickname “Paparazzi,” and would literally do anything for any single one of his children. Love you, Pops!
Ari’s husband Damon
Damon and his daughter
My husband, Damon, is an amazing person and a wonderful dad. From the time we brought our little girl home from the hospital, he has been completely devoted to her. Not only is he supportive of me in my nerdy pursuits, but he is also supportive of our daughter in her’s.
He will go to the comic books stores and get comics for us, if he sees something on TV that is of a nerdy or geeky interest, he will make sure he has it set to record for us before we even realize it is coming on TV. He buys us our favorite geeky nerdy t-shirts and gear, just because he knows it will put smiles on our faces. He joins us in watching anime occasionally, and will read comics from time to time, but he is always there for the big blockbuster superhero movies, and loves them as much as we do.
All in all he is the best dad my daughter could have ever asked for and the best husband this geeky nerdy girl could have ever wished for.
Megan’s Dad
My dad really is the farthest thing away from a geek! He has always preferred life away from the internet and television, choosing instead to tinker around in the garage, work on his vintage Harley motorcycle, and create tiny masterpieces with his CNC machine.
Even so, my dad definitely gave, and continues to give, full support for my geeky hobbies. I remember being a young girl, maybe about 8 or 9, sitting in my room reading Harry Potter. When a word I didn’t recognize popped up, I would call for him and he would help me figure out what it meant.
When I got older I had a new appreciation for this, as my dad is a bit dyslexic and reading can be difficult for him. But I think he genuinely enjoyed helping me read Harry Potter, and when the movies began to come out he happily took me to each and every one. And to be honest, sometimes I think he was more excited than I was!
My siblings and I try to get him into some of our geekier interests, such as The Lord of the Rings and Batman, and he’s been surprisingly open to them. We took him to see The Dark Knight and it pretty much blew his mind (as well it should!).
I guess there’s hope yet for turning my biker dad into a geek!
Meme’s boyfriend Edwin
Edwin and his daughter
My boyfriend, Edwin, has honestly been the light of my life for the last three years and was the father of a daughter, Zahira, when we met. It was his encyclopedic knowledge of comic book canon that initially drew me to him, but his dedication to his daughter is what really showed me his heart.
Edwin is a fierce advocate of letting his daughter grow into her own unique self and always supports her ideas and interests – especially if they mean she begins to love the X-Men as much as her daddy.
Although his daughter is from a previous relationship, Edwin never lets anything prevent him from being a positive influence in Zahira’s life. He is forever the proud dad of a super smart and geeky daughter and I’m so glad to call him my honey.
Oh, Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con! I just spent the day at the Southpoint geeking out with fellow fans, admiring beautiful work in Artist Alley, resisting the temptation of buying EVERYTHING in the exhibitor’s hall, and learning so much from the guests at the panels. Dare I say it was… amazing?!
I started off my morning talking with the very talented and creative artists and exhibitors. I was particularly excited to see that there were so many women and local Las Vegas businesses present. More than that, I found the sense of community and camaraderie to be warm and welcoming. Every single person I talked to was excited to tell me about their work, and not in a sleazy used car salesmen, “buy my stuff” kind of way. They were genuinely passionate and excited to be there! I wish I had a museum and a million dollars, so I could buy every single thing from every single booth. Alas, I’ll have to settle with sharing a slideshow. Please check out the photos, and if you see something you love, reach out to the artist or business!
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After strolling through the con floor, I decided to check out some panels. Much like how I wanted to buy EVERYTHING, I also wanted to see EVERYTHING and go to ALL the panels. Lacking a clone, I mostly stuck to the main stage, which provided ample seating and there was not a bad view in the whole room, no matter where I sat.
In the “Sailor Moon Spotlight,” actors Linda Ballantyne (Sailor Moon), Katie Griffin (Sailor Mars), Susan Roman (Sailor Jupiter), and Toby Proctor (Tuxedo Mask) talked about the logistics of filming as a voice actor, rattled off their characters’ glorious battle cries, and discussed how the show was edited for North American audiences. Confession: I have never seen an entire Sailor Moon episode. That changes now!
Sailor Moon Spotlight by Allison Cosson
In the “Architects of Pop Culture” panel, Steve Mcniven, Charles Soule, and Mark Bagley discussed how killing Wolverine in Death of Wolverine was “a blast;” how Mcniven is not violent by nature, but loves blood, guts, and viscera; and how humor is much harder and more “mysterious” than drama in comics!
McNiven, Soule, and Bagley
Rob Liefeld Smashes Pop Culture! Self-proclaimed comic enthusiast, hip hop fan, and feather-ruffler with ADHD ran across the room personally answering fan questions and doing impressions. He said he “jumped & cried & jumped & cried” when the Deadpool film was announced, and teased we’ll have to wait until next year to see if he makes a cameo in the movie!
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Creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesKevin Eastman presented a slideshow of rare, personal photos documenting how the heroes in a halfshell progressed from a simple comic to movies and television shows! Fun fact: TMNT came to be after Eastman pondered what animal Bruce Lee would least likely be (a turtle)!
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In “Behind the Masks with Greg Capullo and John Romita, Jr.,” these legendary comic book artists (who reportedly have more than 70 years of experience combined) offered a frank, honest, and real look of what life is like in the comic book industry! In their Q&A, they revealed that they can be their own biggest critics, analyzing every line for symmetry and perfection!
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Actor, singer, dancer, activist, and Member of the British Empire, John Barrowman started his panel by saying, “Get ready ’cause it’s me!” The next hour was full of saucy innuendos & duets with fans! He also admitted he’s talking with DC about a comic, and there will be much more of Malcolm Merlyn on Season 4 of Arrow! Barrowman was definitely the highlight of the day for me. I literally could have listened to him talk all day. Even though his panel ended 15 minutes after it was scheduled to stop, it still felt much too short!
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After an action-packed afternoon of panels, jokes, impressions, and songs, I decided to call it a day! While I didn’t get to see everything (Still waiting on my clone… where is she?), I was very pleased with all of the panels I had the privilege of watching. Tomorrow is the final day of the con, and it is guaranteed to be another day full of geeky good times that will be fun for the whole family.
So Chris Pratt tamed a few raptors in Jurassic World… big whoop!
Zookeepers have been taming their equally ferocious animals for centuries, and now they’re hilariously showing off their skills in the Internet’s newest meme, #prattkeeping!
This week treated us to some highly anticipated costume reveals! First, director Bryan Singer gave us a taste of X-Men: Apocalypse on Thursday. Check out this photo of Jubliee, played by Lana Condor, and Jean Grey, played by Sophie Turner, that he posted to his Instagram account:
A photo posted by Bryan Singer (@bryanjaysinger) on
Then Friday gave us a first look at Casey Jones from the upcoming Michael Bay-helmed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sequel. Bay posted this photo of Stephen Amell all decked out to his Twitter page:
Special shout out to the fan who crashed the Suicide Squad set dressed as Deadshot! The Internet exploded with the reveal of Will Smith in Deadshot’s street clothes and further squeed thinking the fan was actually Smith. In spite of some telling costume faults (where’s his eye?), “Deadshot” was confirmed to be just a fan in costume who was later removed from set. Check out Smith from the set and compare the unnamed fan’s rendition of Deadshot’s iconic look:
It’s here! It’s finally here! The official trailer for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice was released today to much fan fare. An unofficial leak swept the internet yesterday, but Warner Bros. dropped this official one in case you missed it – or wanted to see a version that wasn’t blurry. Check it out:
This is the first real glimpse that we’re getting of the Batsuit (remind anyone of the Dark Knight Returns Batsuit?) and it’s awesome! We also get a little bit of Alfred mentoring Bruce – and a peek at the inevitable standoff between the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight.
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters March 25, 2016, almost an entire agonizing year away!
Don’t look now, but we’ve got a new teaser from a galaxy far, far away! All your favorites are back in this just-released trailer from J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Check it out:
The Force Awakens is the seventh film in the sci-fi classic franchise and is set 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. It’s also the first time Abrams has been at the helm of a Star Wars film.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters on December 18, 2015. Will you be there?
It’s been confirmed: Olivia Munn has joined the cast of X-Men: Apocalypse as Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock, aka Psylocke. Director Bryan Singer made the announcement today via his Instagram account:
A photo posted by Bryan Singer (@bryanjaysinger) on
For you geek girls unfamiliar with her, Psylocke is a psychic mutant who has been featured in X-Men comics for almost three decades.
If you missed Munn as Chess Roberts in Iron Man 2, you might know her from The Newsroom and Attack of the Show!
X-Men: Apocalypse is slated for a May 27, 2016 release. Are you excited as excited as Bryan Singer about Olivia Munn being brought on as Psylocke? Sound off in the comments!
