Giaco Furino

Screenwriter / Entertainment Journalist / Branded Content Creator

United States of America

Co-writer of the feature film THE RANGER, world premiere March 12th, 2018 at South by Southwest!

Senior Writer | Studio@Gizmodo, Fusion Media Group

Freelance entertainment writer w/ work appearing on VICE, Popular Mechanics, Rhapsody Magazine, and more.

Twitter: @GiacoFurino
[email protected]

Portfolio

Branded Content

studioatgizmodo
12/03/2018
The Joys And Challenges Of Being A Competitive Athlete

Need a booster shot of encouragement? Competitive athlete Margaux Alvarez is here to motivate. In the world of competitive fitness, where the goal is to constantly push yourself, it takes endurance and mental fortitude to stay on target and continue pressing onward.

studioatgizmodo
11/20/2018
Watch This BMX Rider Smash Gender Expectations

The world of extreme sports can sometimes feel like it's dominated by men, but BMX freestyle rider Nina Buitrago is here to change that. We traveled to Austin, TX to hang out with Buitrago and learn how she got into riding, how she pushes for equal representation in the sport, and what the future holds.

studioatgizmodo
11/19/2018
The Enduring Allure Of The Roadside Motel

The Westhampton Seabreeze Motel sits on the corner of Seabreeze Avenue and the roaring Montauk highway, its faded sign looming large in the front yard. The motel is located near the Westhampton beach in the small Long Island hamlet of Westhampton.

studioatgizmodo
09/27/2019
Mark Duplass On Room 104 And The Pleasures (And Pains) Of Creative Constraint

Though there have been episodes about teleporting music teachers, invisible monsters, and intimate moments of cannibalism, the general conceit of the Duplass brothers' HBO series Room 104 is fairly straightforward. Each episode in the anthology series can be about anything, and can take place during any time period, but it has to take place inside the confines of the show's titular motel room.

studioatgizmodo
10/01/2019
Here Are Some Unexpected Ways 5G Will Improve Your Life

5G technology promises so much more than just good cellular service. But what is it actually? And how will this emerging technology change our lives? 5G, quite simply, stands for the fifth generation of cellular technology.

studioatgizmodo
08/26/2019
The Surprising History Of Wearable Technology

We've partnered with Best Buy to present What's Next In Tech, a guide to some of the most incredible advances being made in the tech world. From 5G connectivity to wearable technology, we're looking beyond what's now, and looking forward to what's next.

studioatgizmodo
06/14/2019
How to Prepare for, Enjoy, and Recover From 24 Hours of Le Mans

You've likely heard of 24 Hours of Le Mans, and may have even caught highlights and recaps of the race in years past. And while watching bits and pieces of Le Mans can begin to give you a sense of its inherent thrill, this endurance race - held annually since 1923 in Le Mans, France - really needs to be seen in its entirety to be truly appreciated.

studioatgizmodo
02/12/2019
What's Your Favorite RPG Memory from the '90s?

I vividly remember sitting on the top bunk of my buddy's bunk bed the first time I heard about a role-playing game. Two years older than me, he had the wisdom and patience needed to explain that, no, these games couldn't be played through in one run.

studioatgizmodo
03/19/2019
On The Road With The Mustachioed Men of Tacoma FD

Steve Lemme and Kevin Heffernan - two of the founding members of the comedy troupe Broken Lizard and creators of Super Troopers, Club Dread, Beerfest, and more - are currently on the road screening their latest creation, the upcoming truTV series Tacoma FD.

studioatgizmodo
12/12/2018
The Strangest Guests of HBO's Room 104

What stories lie behind the doors of a motel room? What aching hearts, screams of joy, broken dreams, and fresh new starts wait just past that threshold? In HBO's anthology series Room 104, each episode can be about, well... anything, as long as it follows one simple rule: The stories have to take place inside the titular motel room.

studioatgizmodo
10/10/2018
How To Master The Gas Station Pit Stop

You don't need to be a professional race car driver to appreciate a fast and productive pit stop. Whether you're on your way to a meeting, shuttling a caravan of hangry tweens to a soccer match, or headed out for a cross-country road trip, getting in and out of a gas station as quickly and efficiently as possible is crucial to enjoying the rest of your day.

studioatgizmodo
10/10/2018
Could You Handle A Day As A Futures Trader?

If you've ever watched a movie or TV show about Wall Street, you've probably seen the traders, ties hanging loosely around their necks, frantically staring at their terminals while trying to make millions or billions for themselves or their firms. Sweat-soaked with bulging eyes, these pop culture depictions paint a grim portrait.

studioatgizmodo
04/17/2018
Have You Built Your Own Rig? What's One Thing You Shouldn't Skimp On?

Building your own PC is a great way to make sure, piece by piece, you're getting exactly the computer you want. From complete customization to ensuring the quality of all components, building a rig from scratch is a rewarding, in-depth experience.

studioatgizmodo
04/20/2018
Did You Build Your Own Gaming PC? We Want to See It!

At long last the wait is finally over. All of your components have arrived. You've got all the tools you need. You've been studying day and night. It's finally time to take the plunge. It's time to put together your own PC.

studioatgizmodo
04/23/2018
What's the Computer Hardware Mod You're Most Proud Of?

When it comes to modding PC hardware, there's something for everyone, no matter their skill level. Some modders aim to create near-silent rigs, and fall into the world of fanless PC building. With fanless builds, creators use inventive cooling systems and various forms of heat-sinking to vastly reduce the noise made by their builds.

studioatgizmodo
04/11/2019
Why We're Still So Captivated By Firefighters

From our childhoods spent playing with fire trucks in the sandbox, to the myriad firefighting "hero dramas" in film and television, it feels like we spend our whole lives fascinated by firefighters. But are the brave men and women who fight fires, rescue the defenseless, and get you back into your locked car always the stoic, self-serious heroes we imagine?

studioatgizmodo
01/08/2019
Share The Weirdest Paranormal Story From Your Hometown

The upcoming premiere of The CW's new series, Roswell, New Mexico has me thinking about hometown spooky stories. For people who grew up near Roswell, their tall tales are all about crashed saucers, gray aliens, and government conspiracies.

studioatgizmodo
06/24/2019
How Using Technology Gave These Small Businesses Their Precious Time Back

There's nothing more precious to a small business owner than time. When it's all on you to keep a company running, it can be hard to manage your workload effectively, and the smallest unexpected roadblock could wind up sinking your day. So how can small business owners protect against wasted hours?

studioatgizmodo
10/24/2018
If Investing Sounds Like A Pain, Here Are Some Easy Ways To Start

Starting to invest may sound like an impossible task, but it doesn't have to be. With a solid plan and a bit of financial mindfulness, you'll find it's easier to get your finances together than you'd expect. Just follow these simple suggestions, and you'll be ready to invest in no time.

Overclocked
05/05/2017
Meet the CS:GO Team That Kicks Ass, Takes Names, and Is All-Female

The world of esports is perceived as a boy's club, so women in competitive gaming already face an uphill battle. But superior gameplay is superior gameplay, and precision skills are not the exclusive province of any gender. We wanted to see what life was like for an all-women esports team, so we spoke to the team LGB eSports.

studioatgizmodo
01/19/2018
Artists Tell Us How They Keep Creating When Times Are Tough

The government is running wild, the nation feels split in two, the seafloor is sinking... during these times of political and personal turmoil, it can be hard to find value in creating art. But, tough as they are, difficult times often produce new ideas and inspiration.

studioatgizmodo
02/06/2018
How to Add Excitement to Your Relationship Without Leaving Your City

Feeling a little sleepy in your relationship? There are plenty of ways to splash a bit of cold water and wake up (or wake your groggy partner). Nothing shakes the cobwebs and adds a bit of excitement to a relationship quite like getting out of town for a bit, but it's not always feasible (or reasonable) to get away.

studioatgizmodo
02/02/2018
I Took The Altered Carbon Quiz To Find Out What My Sleeve's Been Through

In the futuristic world of Altered Carbon, streaming now on Netflix, everything that makes you you sits in a device called "the stack." All your memories, personality, and the quirks that make you unique are stored there indefinitely, and for the right price you can replace your body (or "sleeve").

Overclocked
03/23/2017
So You Want to Be a Pro Gamer

Esports is a relatively new phenomenon. Being good at video games is not. But how to make the leap from one to the other? If you've ever wanted to try your hand at competitive gaming but don't know where to start - start here.

Overclocked
05/15/2017
The Seven Hardest-to-Master Video Games of All Time

Why do we keep coming back to games that make us want to throw our controllers across the room? A hard video game is a measurable challenge. We play, we die, we play again. We practice, we memorize levels, and we find ourselves getting better.

studioatgizmodo
03/11/2016
The Most Insane Assassination Plots of All Time

Over the course of history, there have been some truly bonkers assassination plots. Sometimes they're so insane, it almost looks like murder was a secondary goal, and the primary goal was just "be creative." While killing people is generally frowned upon, sometimes you just have to give it up for the ingenuity shown by assassins.

studioatgizmodo
01/09/2018
What Smart Home Technology Do You Wish Existed?

This year's CES boasts a wide array of breakthroughs in consumer and business technology, but no market is capturing attention on the show floor quite like the Smart Home innovations on display. From smart locks and surveillance cameras that keep your home safe to bathroom breakthroughs there's a new piece of must-have home tech popping up every week.

studioatgizmodo
02/14/2018
A Professional Industrial Designer Discusses Ways To Balance Look And Feel

There are millions of little things to think about when designing a space in your home, and one of the most important aspects to hammer down is how to balance function and design. Where do you start when redesigning the look of a room? How important is high performance in things like appliances?

The Ranger - News, Reviews, & Clips

Thrillist
03/28/2018
The Best Horror Movies of 2018 (So Far)

Last year, we named the best horror movies of 2017 in spring. So who's down for a sequel? Of course, late March is way too early to call anything the best movie of the year, but we figured it's more fun to start in the year's first quarter and then update the piece at the end of June, September, and December.

Rue-morgue
BUFF '18 Review: "The Ranger" has had it up to here with these damn punks

By DEIRDRE CRIMMINS When a buncha punk kids are outrunning the law, they choose the wrong mountain as their hideout in THE RANGER. The feature directorial debut from much-celebrated producer Jenn Wexler (DARLING, MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND) promises a Technicolor bloodbath in the woods and it absolutely delivers.

Daily Grindhouse
[BEST OF BUFF 2018] THE RANGER (2018) - Daily Grindhouse

Society's rejects face off against an unstoppable force of nature in the fun, exciting, and often hilarious horror flick THE RANGER. A group of punks need to outrun the cops in a hurry, so they retreat from the city to a cabin on a mountain owned by the family of one of their own, Chelsea (Chloe Levine, THE TRANSFIGURATION).

CrookedMarquee
03/15/2018
SXSW Report: The State of Horror

Not only are the SXSW programmers an astute bunch of film enthusiasts who scour the globe for the finest in independent cinema ... they also really dig horror flicks.

Boston Underground Film Festival
03/06/2018
The Ranger

VIEW TRAILER 2018 | USA | 80 min. Director: Jenn Wexler Screenwriter: Jenn Wexler & Giaco Furino Cast: Chloe Levine, Jeremy Holm, Granit Lahu, Larry Fessenden, Amanda Grace Benitez March 24, 2018 @ 7:00 pm Brattle Theatre The epitaph for punk's alleged death has been declared, yet its legacy echoes through new generations of misfits channeling angst into art.

Ticketfly
THE RANGER - Pennsylvania Premiere - Tickets - PhilaMOCA - Philadelphia, PA - April 26th, 2018

THE RANGER - Pennsylvania Premiere (Dir. Jenn Wexler, 2018, USA, 80 min) Filmmaker Jenn Wexler in attendance! When a drug-fueled night at an NYC punk club ends in a bloody scuffle with the cops, punk rocker Chelsea (Chloe Levine of CFF 2017 selection The Transfiguration) and her friends flee the city to the long-abandoned family cabin in the woods where she grew up.

What The Fest
The Ranger

Expected to Attend: Director Jenn Wexler, Producers Larry Fessenden, Andrew van den Houten, Heather Buckley, Ashleigh Snead CLOSING NIGHT, A gunshot echoes through a vast, remote forest. A memory of a sunny day that feels like a bad omen, long forgotten, as, years later, our protagonist Chelsea (Chloë Levine) parties away in an underground bar with her friends Jerk, Abe and Amber.

Austinchronicle
SXSW Midnighters Go Into the Woods With The Ranger

We're all familiar with the unbreakable rules that apply to characters in horror movies, just like every good horror geek knows that a legitimately top-notch shocker must subvert those a priori assumptions. Still, rules are rules: Resist the urge to take shelter in an isolated cabin far from functional roads and lacking easy egress.

Film School Rejects
03/08/2018
The Must See Movies of SXSW 2018

For the team here at Film School Rejects, this will be our 11th South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival. And while the folks who program the fest itself have been doing so for much longer, we're fairly certain that we've got a handle on this whole thing.

No Film School
03/08/2018
Our Most Anticipated Films of SXSW 2018

Catch 'em if you can at SXSW this year. We've scoured the catalog of this year's SXSW and put together this list of 11 features and shorts we can't wait to see at the festival. I might be cheating a bit here with this one, since I, uh, watched this last night, but man, Prospect lives up to the hype.

Sxsw
03/12/2018
SXSW 2018 Schedule

When Chelsea and her friends get in trouble with the cops, they flee the city and go on the run. Fueled by a hallucinogenic drug called Echo, they hope to lay low-and get high-in an old family hideout in the woods. But Chelsea's got reservations about going back to nature and secrets she's not sharing with her friends.

IMDb
The Ranger (2018)

Directed by Jenn Wexler. With Chloe Levine, Jeremy Holm, Granit Lahu, Jeremy Pope.

Features, Reviews, and Entertainment News

Medium
11/25/2019
A South Pole Running Race & 8 More International Winter Traditions

A cross the globe, winter holiday traditions are as varied as the people who celebrate them. Some communities mark the season with elaborate, once-a-year feasts, while others fete quirky regional mascots. The common denominators? A strong (and contagious) sense of local pride-and a warm welcome to any visitors who come to join the party.

Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist
07/14/2017
This Poster Artist Turns Abstract Ideas Into Movie Masterpieces

We chat with screenprint artist Matt Ryan Tobin about his stunning, broody work This week marks the exclusive streaming premiere of 24x36: A Movie About Movie Posters only on Tribeca Shortlist. To celebrate, we're talking to working poster artists creating vivid imagery and keeping alive the art of the illustrated one-sheet.

Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist
06/23/2017
Simon & Garfunkel at the Movies - Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist

A few weeks back, a verifiable meeting of the minds took place on twitter when Edgar Wright, Rian Johnson, Marc Webb, Lin-Manuel Miranda (!), and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (!!) dreamed up a movie universe based around song titles from Simon & Garfunkel.

Creators
Gerard Way's Comic Book Romance

To understand where the future of comics is headed, look to where it seems most avant- garde, like the new run of Doom Patrol , a superhero comic with a gyro on the cover; or Shade, the Changing Girl , a comic about an alien who takes over the body of a "mean girl."

Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist
07/12/2017
Meet the Artist Bringing Bold Style to Modern Posters

Artist Tom Whalen's been making posters and prints for well over a decade, and his inimitable style has caught the attention of Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Microsoft and more. Whalen's a key figure in the modern poster scene, and is featured as an interviewee in 24x36: A Movie About Movie Posters (now streaming exclusively on Tribeca Shortlist ).

Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist
01/02/2017
The Top Films We're Excited for in 2017

There are so many amazing movies coming out in 2017 that we can't wait to check out. From huge-budget blockbusters to tiny animated features, the offerings slated for this next year show the true range and diversity of the medium.

The Creators Project
11/26/2016
Broadway's Most Urgent Play Was Made in a Day | The Creators Project

Amber Tamblyn and Daveed Diggs performing at The 24 Hour Plays. Photograph by Katie Simmons-Barth. Photo courtesy of The 24 Hour Plays. Each fall, The 24 Hour Plays puts playwrights, directors, actors and musicians through the ringer for a night of frenetic theater.

Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist
01/09/2017
Golden Globes: The Winners and Our Favorite Moments

The champagne was flowing, the outfits looked spectacular, there were hilarious bits, awkward technical difficulties, and a musical about Hollywood swept the night. The 74th annual Golden Globes has just wrapped up, and we're taking a look at all the winners, our favorite moments, and we're suggesting some streaming movies from tonight's nominees and winners worth checking out.

Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist
11/23/2016
The Movie Lover's Gift Guide

Here at Tribeca Shortlist we're obsessed with good movies, and we know a true love of cinema goes beyond a dark room and flickering screen. To gear up for this year's holiday season we've put together our list of the best movie-centric gift ideas.

Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist
12/06/2016
The 9 Sundance Flicks I'm Most Excited to See

The 2017 Sundance Film Festival is just a few short days away, and I'm so excited to see which films charm audiences and rise to the top of the heap. From coming-of-age dramas by some of my favorite contemporary directors to a documentary about the fall of a media empire, there are a ton of amazing movies hitting the Park City slopes this week and next.

Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist
12/14/2016
Movies to Watch to Get Ready for 'Rogue One'

After you've watched all 7 other Star Wars movies, of course. It's almost Rogue One: A Star Wars Story time, and, quite frankly... I'm freaking out. But as excited as I am, I'm also deathly spoiler-averse.

The Creators Project
09/13/2016
Scared of Heights? This VR Experience Is Definitely Not for You | The Creators Project

Sunrise at the peak of Mount Everest. All photos in-game screenshots of EVEREST VR and courtesy of Solfar Studios The wind whips as an ice ladder spans a yawning crevice. It creaks and groans under each tentative step, wobbling over darkness below. This terrifying experience, traditionally reserved for rich and foolhardy adventurers hoping to ascend Mt.

The Creators Project
12/23/2016
Is Aquaman an Underwater Terrorist? | The Creators Project

Panel selection from Aquaman #13. Illustrated by Scot Eaton. Screencap via the author. Each week, The Creators Project seeks out the best and brightest from the comics industry. Fabian Lelay is the co-writer (along with Katy Rex) and artist behind the Breakfast Club-meets- Sailor Moon action/fantasy comic Jade Street Protection Services, from Black Mask Studios.

The Creators Project
09/30/2016
Even 'Astro Boy' Publishers Know It Was Racist as Hell | The Creators Project

John Constantine is having a crap day. Panel selection from Sixpack and Dogwelder: Hard Travelin' Heroz #2. Illustrated by Russ Braun. Screencap via the author. One of the comics reviewed today is an omnibus of old Astroboy issues, which is all retro fun until readers stumble upon the 1960s approach to race in comics.

The Creators Project
09/26/2016
We Talked to the Creator of 'Regular Show' About the Final Season | The Creators Project

Rigby (right) and Mordecai (left) blast off into space for their final season. Image from Regular Show. Photo courtesy of Cartoon Network. Rigby the racoon and Mordecai the bluejay have been to the moon, a Chuck-E-Cheese-esque fun zone, the temple of the dreaded Sandwich of Death, an ancient underground mall, and Dumptown, USA, to name but a few.

Medium
11/01/2016
Marlon Brando's Rawest, Most Personal Performance - Outtake by Tribeca Shortlist

How a push past his training led to a career-defining role. While speaking to Tribeca Shortlist about Last Tango in Paris in the video above, actor, screenwriter, and author Cary Elwes of Princess Bride fame raised an interesting point, "This is Brando, in the lead, right after winning the Oscar for Godfather, taking a huge gamble with this role...

The Creators Project
07/27/2016
This Odd House Is a Shrine to Early Photography | The Creators Project

Casa Relvas in GolegĂ£, Portugal. Photograph by the author. Nestled in the winding cobblestone streets of GolegĂ£, Portugal, a monument to the early days of photography welcomes visitors from around the world. Casa Relvas takes its name from Carlos Relvas, a wealthy Portuguese aristocrat born in November of 1838 in GolegĂ£.

Hemispheres Inflight Magazine
09/01/2015
The Hemi Q&A: Nick Nolte - Hemispheres Inflight Magazine

Author Giaco Furino Illustration Cun Shi Nick Nolte has played characters on the edge of nervous breakdowns for half a century. As seen in films like 48 Hrs., The Thin Red Line, The Prince of Tides and Cape Fear, Nolte's characters, wild-eyed and often screaming, burst onto the screen with a vibrancy that refuses to be ignored.

The Creators Project
07/31/2016
How to Heighten Dread in Comics-the 'Spider-Man' Way | The Creators Project

Panel from Web of Spider-Man #31 by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck. All screencaps via One of the most famous Spider-Man storylines is the Kraven's Last Hunt narrative, which spans multiple issues and follows Kraven the Hunter seemingly killing Spider-Man and taking on the superhero's persona.

VICE
07/13/2016
A VICE Gaming Guide to the Best Licensed Board Games | VICE | United States

Sometimes powerful brands, like Marvel or Star Wars, aren't content being comics or movie franchises, and so want to branch out of their comfort zones into other realms of entertainment. The result of these unholy unions usually ends up awkward, famously terrible, or just... kind of goofy.

The Creators Project
06/21/2016
What's It Like to Art Direct a Major Video Game? | The Creators Project

Most of the playable characters of Overwatch on display. Photo courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment. The most striking aspect of the multiplayer first-person combat video game isn't how it plays or how this competitive shooter has quickly gained a 10-million-player-strong fanbase: it's the look of the game.

The Creators Project
07/18/2016
Dissecting the Classic 9-Panel Grid in Comics | The Creators Project

Panel from The Omega Men #9. Created by Tom King and Barnaby Bagenda. Screencap via This week's comic class is all about controlling the pace of a comic by carefully considering the panel layout. Hass Otsmane-Elhaou's weekly comic dissection series Strip Panel Naked focuses this week on the classic "9-Panel Grid" found in most comics.

Brooklyn Paper
Catch Kuti: Two chances to see Afrobeat star in Brooklyn

Share on Facebook The Afrobeat is back! The son of pioneering Nigerian musician Fela Kuti will headline two shows in Brooklyn this month, rocking the Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival on July 23 and taking the Brooklyn Bowl stage on July 27.

The Creators Project
06/23/2016
Olympic Photographer Captures Portraits of Pure Athleticism | The Creators Project

"Women's Platform Diving. Barcelona, Spain, August 1992." © David Burnett / Courtesy of Anastasia Photo and Contact Press Images. Take away the politics, the doping scandals, and the threat of a Zika virus outbreak from this Summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and you're left with an unparalleled display of sheer athleticism.

The Creators Project
05/19/2016
Surrender to a Digital Archive of Physical Junk | The Creators Project

The Spice Girls branded Spice Cam instant film camera by Polaroid, circa 1997. Photo courtesy of Thngs. Today every tweet is archived, every Facebook selfie stashed and cached, every arts/tech/culture blog mirrored, and the idea of the permanence of data is taken for granted. But things like physical objects aren't permanent.

The Creators Project
07/03/2016
Learn How Comic Book Artists Use Color as Subtext | The Creators Project

Spatterings of red in a muted color field. Panel from Pretty Deadly #1, by Kelly Sue DeConnick, illustrated by Emma Rios, colors by Jordie Bellaire. Screencap via Second only to the inker for the "most misunderstood job in the comics business," the colorist has the ability to either completely enhance or deflate the mood of a comic with their work.

CONtv
03/02/2016
Indie Comics Watch - March 2nd, 2016 - CONtv

This week - Action Lab, Predator, Knights of the Dinner Table, and Bob's Burgers. Marvel's got their cinematic universe set to take over our universe. DC's got some of the most globally-recognizable hero brands in the world. So what about everyone else? Each week, I take a look at a few comics released by smaller ...

The Creators Project
05/18/2016
The Artists' Residency at the End of the World | The Creators Project

Erebus Ice Tongue Ice Cave. Photograph by and courtesy of Helen Glazer. Imagine curing writer's block by stepping out into frozen tundra, or finding inspiration for your next sculpture asleep in icy terrain. That's where the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Artists and Writers Program (or, AAW) comes in, giving artists and writers of all mediums access to Antarctica.

The Creators Project
02/29/2016
How to Shrink the Entire Star Trek Galaxy | The Creators Project

Production models of Star Trek Timelines' depiction of the famous "Caretaker Array" first seen in Star Trek: Voyager. Photo courtesy of Disruptor Beam. Kirk or Picard? Spock or Riker? Data or Seven of Nine? For some, these questions are meaningless. For Trekkies, they're crucial.

CONtv
03/02/2016
Movie Review - The Boy and the Beast - CONtv

In August of 2014, famed Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli announced they were going on hiatus as director Hayao Miyazaki retired. Since then, many have wondered what the shape of Japanese animation would look like following this absence. With the release of writer/director Mamoru Hosoda's The Boy and the Beast (which finally lands here in ...

The Creators Project
04/18/2016
Demon Guts and Future Guns: Designing the New 'DOOM' | The Creators Project

All images stills from DOOM (2016). Photos courtesy of id Software and Bethesda Softworks. The airvac doors in the military base on Mars hiss open. Inside, screams and howls pierce the silence. Practically feeling the heat of Hell on their backs, players know: they're playing DOOM.

CONtv
03/01/2016
Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey to Star in Dark Tower - CONtv

Big casting news has just been confirmed by Stephen King himself, among other sources, for the big screen adaptation of The Dark Tower. Idris Elba (star of The Wire, Luther, Heimdall in the Thor movies) is attached to play the role of Roland Deschain the Gunslinger, hero and protagonist of The Dark Tower.

studioatgawker
03/11/2016
The Most Insane Assassination Plots of All Time

Over the course of history, there have been some truly bonkers assassination plots. Sometimes they're so insane, it almost looks like murder was a secondary goal, and the primary goal was just "be creative." While killing people is generally frowned upon, sometimes you just have to give it up for the ingenuity shown by assassins.

The Creators Project
04/04/2016
The Nailbot: It'll Paint Your Nails and Teach You Tech | The Creators Project

The Nailbot. Photo courtesy and copyright of Preemadonna Inc. The world of nail art is a vast and vibrant scene, from the bold structural designs of Alicia Torello, to the pop-inspired styles of London's WAH Nails, to the cheerful abstractions of Japan's Nail Salon Ava Rice, there's big business and high art in cuticle creativity.

CONtv
03/07/2016
Weekly Geek Out - Howard the Duck, Superman, Cloverfield, and more! - CONtv

Welcome to the weekly geekout. I'm here to bring attention to a few items each week worth geeking out about. Between the weekly onslaught of upcoming movies, awesome DVD releases, cool action figures and collectibles, and comics, it's hard to keep everything straight. So check in every monday for a primer on what's awesome this ...

The Creators Project
05/20/2016
Civil War Is Back with a Vengeance: This Week in Comics #18 | The Creators Project

Panel from Civil War II #0. Illustrated by Olivier Coipel and Justin Ponsor. Photo courtesy of Marvel Comics. Screencap via the author. The big release this week is, without a doubt, Civil War II. The original Civil War line of Marvel comics asked a big, important question that hadn't been asked much since Alan Moore's Watchmen.

The Creators Project
05/15/2016
The Daring Life of a Comic Book Editor-in-Chief | The Creators Project

Panel from Dreaming Eagles. Illustrated by Simon Coleby. Photo courtesy of AfterShock Comics. The role of editor-in-chief can be one of those nebulous, hard-to-pin-down titles that means something vastly different in each industry. In print magazines, an editor-in-chief arranges editorial boards and works with layout and overall vision.

The Creators Project
05/14/2016
Decades Later, HouseSpecial Is Still "Animation for the Masses" | The Creators Project

The Hole Shot from HouseSpecial on Vimeo. Suzanne Twining animates a scene with characters looking down through a hole in a spot for the Ohio Lottery. Video by and courtesy of HouseSpecial. From talking candies to cereal mascots, the commercial side of animation is a bustling medium, and HouseSpecial is leading the charge.

The Creators Project
10/18/2015
Build It Before You Break It: On World-Building in the Wastes of Fallout 4 | The Creators Project

You wake up after 200 years of sleep to find the world around you (specifically, Boston and the surrounding areas) destroyed by nuclear war. Chaos and lawlessness rule, mutants, raiders, and monsters hunt you down. This is the world of Fallout, a video game franchise by Bethesda Softworks that distinguishes itself from the hordes of sci-fi/post apocalyptic games thanks to its retrofuturism.

Popular Mechanics
10/05/2015
Avenge the USSR in This Righteous Retro Arcade Game That Never Was

Rain slashes against an unassuming garage in Long Island. I can see bright light shining out from inside. As the garage door slowly opens, - a brand new vector-based arcade game - is revealed. Andy Reitano, Michael Dooley, and Todd Bailey stand around the arcade cabinet, their baby, as the game's hypnotic music pumps out loud in the garage.

The Creators Project
04/01/2016
X-Men '92, Sylvania, Blood N Guts, Dragonring: This Week in Comics #11 | The Creators Project

Panel selection from Dragonring #2. Illustrated by Barry Blair and Guang Yap. Screenshot by the author. Image courtesy of Outland Entertainment This week's comic roundup features all sorts of nostalgia. First, Marvel's used its world-shaking crossover events to create room for comics like X-Men '92, which takes place in 1992 and features the X-Men the way a lot of fans grew up with them.

studioatgawker
03/11/2016
The Most Insane Assassination Plots of All Time

Over the course of history, there have been some truly bonkers assassination plots. Sometimes they're so insane, it almost looks like murder was a secondary goal, and the primary goal was just "be creative." While killing people is generally frowned upon, sometimes you just have to give it up for the ingenuity shown by assassins.

Contv
04/21/2015
Review - Ex-Machina - CONtv

Ex Machina, the new film written and directed by Alex Garland (writer, 28 Days Later, Sunshine) does just that: it jumps us ahead just slightly in terms of tech, then lets the whole damn tape unspool.

The Creators Project
02/15/2015
This Is American History on Steroids | The Creators Project

Ronald Reagan the Liberator by Jason Heuser. Digital Painting. Photo courtesy of the artist. The dust settles, the only sound heard is the creaking of the burnt trees. Suddenly, Bigfoot roars as it leaps from the rubble... only to be met with a hail of bullets from Teddy Roosevelt's machinegun.

VICE
05/09/2015
A Brief History of 60 Years of (Fictional) Female and Minority Presidents | VICE | United States

Dennis Haysbert as President David Palmer in '24' This week, it was announced that actress Sela Ward had signed on to play the president of the US in Independence Day 2. The actress, who previously starred in Gone Girl and CSI:NY, will fill the presidential shoes of Bill Pullman from the original film, making her character the highest-profile film depiction of a female president ever.

CONtv
08/28/2015
Geek Gifts: 10 Back to School Gifts - CONtv

Before you know it the seasons will be changing, your favorite fall TV shows will return, and Halloween will be right around the corner. If you've got friends or family heading back to school this month, show them a little love with one of these awesomely geeky back to school gifts!

The Creators Project
02/16/2016
How Junkie XL Brought the 'Deadpool' Soundtrack to Life [Exclusive] | The Creators Project

Image from the film Deadpool. Photo credit: Joe Lederer. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox Who's that foul-mouthed superhero in the red spandex shooting bad guys and talking directly into the camera? That's Ryan Reynolds as the titular star of , which spent the weekend smashing opening weekend box-office records for R-rated movies.

VICE
03/09/2015
Despite Die Antwoord's Best Efforts, 'Chappie' Is a Mess | VICE | United States

The poster for 'Chappie' I first saw Die Antwoord at a "Making Time" party in Philly in the summer of 2010. The monthly warehouse rager had attracted an even weirder crowd than usual that evening. Like everyone else in attendance, I was drunk on Sparks-cans of which were being given away for free-and waiting for the South African rap group to go on.

Mental Floss
Neuroscience Explains 'Waitmares' - Mental Floss

Jeremy Holm splits his time between acting on shows like House of Cards and waiting tables. "I often have dreams where I come into work and everything seems to be fine ... except that there's no one else there," explains the 30-year veteran of the service industry, who's worked at the fast-paced Del Frisco's steakhouse in Manhattan for more than 13 years.

Popular Mechanics
07/24/2015
The New Star Wars Tabletop RPG Is Just as Nerdy and Awesome as It Sounds

From using the force to lift huge boulders, to force-choking some scruffy nerf-herder who gets in your way, this game hits on everything that's awesome about the Star Wars world. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below From using the force to lift huge boulders, to force-choking some scruffy nerf-herder who gets in your way, this game hits on everything that's awesome about the Star Wars world.

Vice
08/20/2014
Dungeons & Dragons Is Officially Cool Again | VICE | United States

This week marks the release of the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, a role-playing game that traditionally existed to create a safe space for neckbeards to pretend they're fighting orcs. But as hipsters continue their move toward adult childhood, more and more creative types are flocking to the game.

CONtv
02/12/2016
What We're Most Excited About at Toy Fair NY - CONtv

Tomorrow and Sunday mark the beginning of Toy Fair New York, one of the world's largest insider toy and game expos, and we'll be live on site via Periscope and Facebook bringing you all the news that's fit to vlog. As we gear up for the event, here's a look at some of the stuff ...

Popular Mechanics
07/29/2015
A New NES Game Came Out This Year-And It's Fantastic

A small crowd mills around a yellowed Nintendo Entertainment System at Twenty Sided Store in Brooklyn, waiting for their chance to play Star Versus for the first time. The year is 2015, and I'm about to play a brand new game created for a system built in 1983.

CONtv
09/02/2015
CONtv 101 - Stephen King Film Adaptations - CONtv

Here at CONtv we know that there are so many areas of fandom and so few hours in the day. In order to help you decide if a specific genre, sub-genre, artist, or hobby is worth the investment of your time, we present CONtv 101.

CONtv
02/24/2016
Indie Comics Watch - February 24th, 2016 - CONtv

This week - Dirk Gently, Witchfinder General, Futurama, and Founding Fathers Funnies. Marvel's got their cinematic universe set to take over our universe. DC's got some of the most globally-recognizable hero brands in the world. So what about everyone else? Each week, I take a look at a few comics released by smaller publishers.

CONtv
05/15/2015
Review - Mad Max: Fury Road - CONtv

Within the first four minutes of Mad Max: Fury Road director George Miller makes it clear this is not going to be our typical wasteland tale. Our hero (or anti-hero, that's up for debate) is captured, strung up, and his iconic car is taken from him.

VICE
04/03/2015
The New Generation of Sex-Centric Tabletop RPGs | VICE | United States

**Adult Language and Content** **NSFW** Note: Some of the images below depict violence and sex in ways that might disturb some readers. In the 70s, when tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons were first winning the hearts and minds of the nerds everywhere, sex was usually relegated to just a paragraph in most RPG rulebooks, if it was mentioned at all.

CONtv
09/25/2015
CONtv Movie Review - Hotel Transylvania 2 - CONtv

I sometimes wonder how my reviews are effected by the environment I watch them in. An empty Brooklyn movie theater, at 9:00am, has a different energy from a packed house on a Friday night. The movie, it's script, visuals, craft, acting, that all has to come first, of course, but there's something to be said ...

CONtv
05/01/2015
Review - Avengers: Age of Ultron - CONtv

When I was a kid Spider-Man was the only superhero that mattered to me. He looked cool, he had awesome powers, he was witty, and he wasn't that much older than me.

Vice
11/12/2014
A Brief History of Nickelodeon's 'Slime' | VICE | United States

​Photos courtesy of ​Nick.com Coolio. Danny Tamberelli. Jesse Camp. Lori Beth Denberg. Amanda Bynes. Richard Simmons... All of these people have something in common-they've all been slimed. The falling green goop was a defining characteristic of Nickelodeon from the 80s onward.

CONtv
09/14/2015
Book Review - Star Wars: Aftermath - CONtv

By the time I was eleven I was a certified Star Wars fanatic. I'd seen the movies, of course, but I also had all the '90s action figures, I'd read a bunch of the books, and my dad even got me this book that was full of vehicles from the franchise.

CONtv
09/15/2015
Book Review - Dungeons & Dragons Out of the Abyss - CONtv

Releasing today is a huge adventure for Dungeons & Dragons. The roleplaying game, which just re-launched as "5th edition" and includes new, easy-to-follow rules, has been making a huge splash in the gaming world. As the tabletop game's core audience grows, the question is: do their periphery accessories, like this adventure Out of the Abyss, ...

The Creators Project
02/12/2016
The Lion and the Roc, The Massive, Monologue, Descender: This Week in Comics #4 | The Creators...

Artwork from The Lion and the Roc #1. Illustrated by Kathleen Kralowec. Screenshot by the author. Photo courtesy of Comicker February's always a great month for comics. Readers are warming up to the new year and trying out new books, titles are either launching or really hitting their stride mid-run, and it's generally the "calm before the storm" that is convention season.

CONtv
02/29/2016
Weekly Geek Out - Batman Toys, Deadpool, Beasts, and more! - CONtv

Welcome to the weekly geekout. I'm here to bring attention to a few items each week worth geeking out about. Between the weekly onslaught of upcoming movies, awesome DVD releases, cool action figures and collectibles, and comics, it's hard to keep everything straight. So check in every monday for a primer on what's awesome this ...

VICE
08/12/2015
'Quest for Glory' Was the Game That Taught Me Patience | VICE | United States

A detail from the box art for 'Quest For Glory' When I was coming up in the video gaming world, it was all about jumping on the goomba, slashing the shrubbery, and powering up your charge-shot. Running, jumping, dashing, platforming: In the early 1990s, as a console kid, I knew only to move and to move fast.

CONtv
08/20/2015
A Brief History of Mystery Science Theater 3000

Take cheesy old movies, throw in robot puppets and a mild-mannered host, set them up in movie seats in front of said cheesy movie, and let them riff and crack jokes as the film plays out. Now take all that and air it in the middle of the night on cable.

CONtv
02/17/2016
Game Review: LEGO Marvel's Avengers - CONtv

The LEGO games have been doing what they do for a little over a decade. Maybe you've played one of the Star Wars LEGO games, or a Batman game, and teeter-tottered your way through licensed worlds. I've played a few, and went into the newest LEGO game thinking I knew what to expect.

VICE
07/15/2015
What Marvel's Push Toward Superhero Diversity Really Means | VICE | United States

All images courtesy of Marvel Comics Recently Marvel Comics unveiled their entire lineup for the fall. These new comics, coming after the current Marvel universe effectively self-destructs, feature some bold new choices. Once relegated to what-if scenarios and alternate-universe storylines, people of color and women are now taking center stage in the upcoming Marvel reboot.

The Creators Project
09/19/2015
Inside Until Dawn's 10,000-Page Video Game Script | The Creators Project

Until Dawn screenshot from the game, Promotional Image via Playstation The horror video game , which released at the end of the August for Playstation 4, is garnering lots of positive reviews and excitement in the community. VICE Gaming calls it the " Sleeper Slasher Hit of the Summer," and YouTube names it the most-streamed video game of the month on their service.

CONtv
02/23/2016
TV Review: The X-Files Season 10, Episode 6 - My Struggle Pt. II - CONtv

When news of The X-Files return was first announced I, like many wayward fans, decided to go back and watch the original series. Full of charm, charisma, and fun, supernatural detective stories, there was a lightness and bounce to even the darkest episodes of the original series.

CONtv
02/17/2016
Toy Fair 2016 Report: Superhero Action Figures - CONtv

These days they make action figures out of just about anything! But *old man alert* when I was growing up we had a big old trunk full of toys, and there were two genres of action figures: Star Wars and Superheroes (sorry G.I. Joe, my parents were fairly anti-gun so you didn't see a lot ...

CONtv
02/17/2016
Toy Fair 2016 Report: Pop Culture - CONtv

The pop culture revolution is here! And sure, that may come as absolutely no surprise to anyone, but it was fun to see the amount of pop culture stuff taking up floor space at Toy Fair NYC. Some of my favorite pop stuff? The great line of plush toys from Bleacher Creatures (and a certain ...

CONtv
02/10/2016
Our Favorite 4th Wall Breaking Moments - CONtv

You know those moments in comics when a character addresses the reader? Or those times in a movie when the main character steps out of the action and begins to narrate to the audience? Those are what we call "breaking the fourth wall" moments. The term grew out of theater, where three walls of a ...

The Creators Project
05/23/2016
Cool Down with Melted Popsicle Art | The Creators Project

Spiderwoman (x3) (detail). 2016. Epoxy clay, hydrocal, fiberglass, Spiderman popsicles, hardware. 22" x 13.25" x 2" Photo courtesy Ms Barbers. Spider-Man hasn't melted into a puddle like this since that time you took acid and saw Spider-Man 2.

The Creators Project
02/12/2016
The Lion and the Roc, The Massive, Monologue, Descender: This Week in Comics #4 | The Creators...

Artwork from The Lion and the Roc #1. Illustrated by Kathleen Kralowec. Screenshot by the author. Photo courtesy of Comicker February's always a great month for comics. Readers are warming up to the new year and trying out new books, titles are either launching or really hitting their stride mid-run, and it's generally the "calm before the storm" that is convention season.

The Creators Project
05/06/2016
Twitch Streamer Curates Album for Millions | The Creators Project

Tom Cassell signs merch for fans. Photo courtesy Tom Cassell. The zombies are closing in, the alien mothership just landed, the battlefield crackles with gunfire... and Tom Cassell, better known as the famous Twitch streamer TheSyndicateProject (or "Syndicate," for short), settles down for another day at the office.

The Creators Project
04/19/2016
These Skeleton Embroideries Give Instagram Life | The Creators Project

Community of Two by Britt Hutchinson. Photo courtesy the artist With imagery full of laid-back skeletons and nooses, it's clear: these aren't your grandma's embroidery hoops. Britt Hutchinson is the Chicago-based artist behind tinycup needleworks, and her embroidery designs are taking Instagram by storm.

CONtv
02/11/2016
Dirty Mouths: The Best Trash Talking Heroes - CONtv

Deadpool's the kind of hero who says what's on his mind... even if it's utterly inappropriate! With the Deadpool movie hitting theaters this Friday, I was inspired to take a look at some of the best trash-talking, wise ass heroes in movies, TV, and comics.

The Creators Project
03/15/2016
Crack Alan Turing's Code in a New Graphic Novel | The Creators Project

Panels from The Imitation Game: Alan Turing Decoded. Written by Jim Ottaviani and illustrated by Leland Purvis © Abrams ComicArts, 2016 Alan Turing invented modern computing. His theoretical work on a "Universal Machine" created the backbone for much of what we now take for granted in electronic computation.

The Creators Project
03/11/2016
Ms. Marvel, Limbo, No Signal, Ashen: This Week in Comics #8 | The Creators Project

Panel piece from Ashen. Illustrated by Chase Van Weerdhuizen. Photo courtesy of Chasing Comics This week the comic world is all aflutter because of a new trailer for Captain America: Civil War . The trailer sheds a bit more info on the plot but most importantly shows fans the first glimpse of Spider-Man.

The Creators Project
03/31/2016
A Day with California's Stoned Nuns [Photos] | The Creators Project

All photographs from the "Sisters in the Valley" series. Photographed by Shaughn and John, 2016. Photos courtesy of Shaughn and John Photography duo Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois of Shaughn and John know a good photo op when they see one.

CONtv
09/04/2015
Movie Review - The Transporter Refueled - CONtv

The Transporter Refueled, fourth in the Transporter series and no sign of Jason Statham anywhere, just hit theaters today. Touted as a reboot of a franchise I didn't think many people cared about, this movie isn't just boring... it's also woefully sexist and out-of-date. "But Giaco," you may be squealing, "I don't go to action ...

The Creators Project
04/02/2016
This Mad Scientist Kept His Dead Lover's Body for Seven Years | The Creators Project

Carl Von Cosel mourns his lost love. Puppet mock-up by Robin Frohardt. Images courtesy the director The Florida air is thick with heat; it's 1938, and flies buzz around an old man with wire-rimmed glasses and shock-white hair. Before him, on a sort of mad scientist's table, lies his beloved Elena...who's been dead for seven years.

CONtv
02/16/2016
Toy Fair 2016 Report: Fancy Stuff - CONtv

All types of toys were on display at this year's Toy Fair NYC, from cheapo little plastic junk to hand-crafted, artisan wooden toys. But there's one category of toy that a geek like me can't help but drool over: Fancy Stuff! My favorites from this crop of toys?

CONtv
02/16/2016
TV Review: The X-Files Season 10, Episode 5 - Babylon - CONtv

A young muslim man prays on his prayer mat, eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, joins up with a friend, and suicide-bombs a gallery in Texas. That oft-repeated intro is how this fifth episode of The X-Files starts, but where it goes from there is one of the strangest turns in the show's ten ...

CONtv
02/17/2016
Indie Comics Watch - February 17th, 2016 - CONtv

This week - Bill and Ted Go to Hell, Tomb Raider, The Twilight Zone, and Adventure Time: Ice King. Marvel's got their cinematic universe set to take over our universe. DC's got some of the most globally-recognizable hero brands in the world. So what about everyone else?

The Creators Project
02/05/2016
Amazing Forest, Mirror, Doll's House, Paper Girls: This Week in Comics #3 | The Creators Project

Panel from Paper Girls #5. Illustrated by Cliff Chiang. Colors by Matt Wilson. Photo courtesy of Image Comics. When a reader first gets into comics there are a few routes they can go. They can follow the big stories, diving into Superman, Spider-Man, or any other number of heroic dudes and ladies punching baddies and posing in front of the American Flag.

CONtv
02/09/2016
TV Review: The X-Files Season 10, Episode 4 - Home Again - CONtv

"You're a dark wizard, Mulder." With those lines spoken by Scully to Mulder, I knew this episode was on the right track. His wry answer, "What else is new?" added to the playfulness of this week's show. This is a playfulness much needed in the series, not outright funny, not overly corny...

CONtv
02/12/2016
Movie Review - Deadpool - CONtv

We've spent the week relishing in the unhinged glory that is Deadpool. From the best video games featuring the merc with the mouth, to our favorite 4th wall-breaking moments, we've been waiting for today-the theatrical release of Deadpool. Fox took a huge chance by releasing this as an R-rated movie, and the question on everyone's ...

CONtv
02/10/2016
Indie Comics Watch - February 10, 2015 - CONtv

This week - Cage Hero, Hellbreak, The Eltingville Club, and Jonesy. Marvel's got their cinematic universe set to take over our universe. DC's got some of the most globally-recognizable hero brands in the world. So what about everyone else? Each week, I take a look at a few comics released by smaller publishers.

CONtv
02/15/2016
Toy Fair Report: Action Figures - CONtv

I spent the weekend reporting live from Toy Fair NYC and I couldn't believe the levels of amazing on display this weekend. Toy Fair, the annual business-to-business expo exclusively for the toys and games crowd, took up the entire floor of convention center that hosts New York Comic Con, and was filled to the brim ...

The Creators Project
02/24/2016
How Sci-Fi Invented the Superman Memory Crystal | The Creators Project

A 5D data storage disc, aka a 'Superman memory crystal'. Photo courtesy of The University of Southampton Here's the dilemma: you want to store something big, like, entire King James Bible big, for, say, a billion years. What do you do? Researchers at the University of Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Center have an answer.

The Creators Project
02/21/2016
The Biggest Art Trends of 2016 | The Creators Project

Tattoo by celebrity tattoo artist Seanfromtexas. Screencap via Tornadoes, President Trump, world peace, the return of Freaks and Geeks... it's hard to predict what fates will befall us in 2016. But The Creators Project has a few ideas about which trends will take the world by storm this year.

CONtv
02/26/2016
Movie Review - Gods of Egypt - CONtv

Oh geez... okay, time to review Gods of Egypt, here we go... A film like Gods of Egypt comes around once every three or four years. A movie so tone-deaf, so shockingly weird, so reliant on CGI, so strangely acted, that it actually ends up being... amazing?

The Brooklyn Paper
Going indie: New comic shows the borough seceding

Share on Facebook Brooklyn draws the line! A new online comic launching today imagines a super-charged Brooklyn, reversing the Mistake of '98 to create a world in which the borough secedes not just from New York City, but from the entire United States.

The Creators Project
05/22/2016
How to Build a Safe Space for Earnest, Feminine Cyberpunk | The Creators Project

A view of cybertwee's virtual headquarters. Photo via the cybertwee HQ Kickstarter The art collective cybertwee exists to destabilize the "nihilistic and cynical ethos [of] punk, and replace it with earnestness and a pronounced DIY aesthetic. The ASCII art-heavy opening text of the group's Kickstarter campaign asks, "What if virtual reality spaces were made with tenderness?"

The Creators Project
05/20/2016
Jessica & Ashlee Simpson's Dad Puts Sincerity in Pop Photography | The Creators Project

Photos courtesy Joe Simpson Joe Simpson, the 58-year-old producer, reality TV star, and father of pop stars Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, opened Dreams Work , a show of his photography at LA's Bruce Lurie Gallery last week. The photographs, which feature models as well as his famous progeny, are heavily treated with Photoshop techniques.

CONtv
11/06/2015
Movie Review - Spectre - CONtv

I'm of a specific slice of a generation who, when asked to name our favorite James Bond film, answers: Goldeneye... on the Nintendo 64. Growing up alongside the internet, I've seen the world transform into a truly digital age. I don't know a time before Mario, but I do know a time before AOL.

CONtv
11/06/2015
Movie Review - The Peanuts Movie - CONtv

Few franchises, cartoon, comic strip, or otherwise, retain the sense of timelessness that Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts maintain. While doing research for my review, I was shocked to learn that A Charlie Brown Christmas aired in 1965. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown aired in 1966.

CONtv
07/09/2015
Movie Review - The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened? - CONtv

You've seen that snapshot of Nicholas Cage floating around the internet, right? The one where he's dressed up in a shiny, latex-y Superman costume and his eyes are all half-open and dead looking. It's the type of internet relic that keeps the fandom scratching their heads and rolling their eyes, but there's a big, weird ...

The Creators Project
01/14/2016
The Weird and Wonderful World of Bootleg Star Wars Toys | The Creators Project

Lost in translation, in a galaxy far, far away. Photos courtesy of Karl Baxter Cheap plastic, shoddy joints, and strange faces aside, Star Wars toys of all shapes and varieties keep consumers coming back to the toy store. Ever since the Kenner toy company first fumbled their initial release of figurines in 1977, Star Wars action figures have captivated kids and collectors.

VICE
09/03/2015
How Dungeons & Dragons Went Mainstream | VICE | United States

Dungeons & Dragons has had a good year. The release of the fifth edition of the classic tabletop roleplaying game has been hugely popular: The Player's Handbook hit the number-one spot on the Amazon best-seller list, attendance of players at events in gaming stores is up, and there's even a new D&D movie in the works at Warner Brothers.

CONtv
08/07/2015
Movie Review - Fantastic Four - CONtv

Human Torch, The Thing, Mr. Fantastic, and Invisible Woman. These four superheroes, created originally by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, are a huge part of the reason we have popular superhero comics today. So everytime they announce a new Fantastic Four movie, I get excited and hopeful, because these are archetypal characters, and telling a ...

The Creators Project
10/18/2015
Build It Before You Break It: On World-Building in the Wastes of Fallout 4 | The Creators Project

You wake up after 200 years of sleep to find the world around you (specifically, Boston and the surrounding areas) destroyed by nuclear war. Chaos and lawlessness rule, mutants, raiders, and monsters hunt you down. This is the world of Fallout, a video game franchise by Bethesda Softworks that distinguishes itself from the hordes of sci-fi/post apocalyptic games thanks to its retrofuturism.

CONtv
07/01/2015
Movie Review - Terminator Genisys - CONtv

As a general rule of thumb, I try to steer clear of the "sequels and remakes are evil" mode of thought. People complain about going back to the well, ruining a great franchise, and dragging old actors back into the fray. Normally, I tend to go into a remake or sequel hoping for the best.

VICE
09/22/2015
Kurt Vile Is the Chillest Guy in Philly | VICE | United States

Kurt Vile. All photos by Marina Chavez/courtesy of Matador Records For the past decade Kurt Vile has been at the forefront of the indie-rock scene. After beginning his career in 2005 with Adam Granduciel as blissed-out folk-rockers War on Drugs, Vile has gone on to release five solo records.

CONtv
08/28/2015
Movie Review - Z for Zachariah - CONtv

It's been a long, loud summer. There have been a few great movie over the past few months, but it's also been a summer full of CGI explosions, bad acting, and over-wrought plots. When Z for Zachariah came up on my review schedule, I didn't know much about it.

CONtv
08/21/2015
Movie Review - Hitman: Agent 47 - CONtv

It's been a summer of highs and lows, for sure. I've reviewed great movies like Mad Max: Fury Road and boring, just so-so movies like Tomorrowland (have you forgotten about that one already? I almost did). Hitman: Agent 47, a reboot of a film franchise that's a video game adaptation, is getting slaughtered by critics.

The Creators Project
10/06/2015
A Legendary Game Show Returns-with You as the Star | The Creators Project

Though the Futuristic, Medieval, Aztec, and Industrial sets all look familiar, this illustration features a new spectator area. Image via The Crystal Maze Indiegogo Campaign Don your jumpsuits and head for the industrial zone, because The Crystal Maze is back and it's shaping up to be more of a puzzler than ever.

CONtv
09/03/2015
Game Review: Mad Max - CONtv

There's a moment in Mad Max: Fury Road where Max, mouth covered by a metal mask, narrows his eyes and leaps onto a speeding car. That thrill, that speed, and that sense of danger are alive and well in Mad Max for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

The Creators Project
07/17/2015
These Surreal Wood Paintings Will Leave You Dizzy | The Creators Project

Images courtesy of the artist. With lines upon lines of tight geometry, splintering out in fractal chaos, artist Jason Middlebrook creates hypnotic works of art on planks of wood. As much a medium as a muse, Middlebrook's work is inspired by and built upon the wood's natural shapes and tendencies.

The Creators Project
06/15/2015
Working-Class Artists Still Exist in Philadelphia | The Creators Project

Rose Luardo with Andrew Jeffrey Wright. Photo by Ben Mistak There's a common perception among artists and makers that you have to move to New York or Los Angeles to really make it in 'the business'; the romanticized image of the starving artist dominates the way many see what it means to be a successful creator.