Your Morning Linc: New Wolverine Trailer, Game of Thrones Sigil, Michael Scott Wisdom, and DocTales!

Good morning you ragamuffins! Here's a quick post with some cool bits from the last few days:

1. New Wolverine Trailer Promises Action, Excitement, and Mutton Chops

In another attempt to make us forget about X-Men Origins: Wolverine, James Mangold's The Wolverine (see? similar, but different) brings Logan to Japan where he is offered the chance to become mortal again. A difficult choice, killer action scenes, all set in the Land of the Rising Sun? Count me in, bub!   

The Wolverine hits theaters July 26. Snikt!

2. Join The Realm: Create Your Own Game of Thrones Sigil

A cool site from the people over at Game of Thrones allows you to create your own coat of arms. Will you join up with the Lannisters, the Starks, the Targaryens, or create your own? Here's mine:

Work Hard. Play Hard.

Game of Thrones Season 3 premieres in just three days on HBO!

3. The Wisdom(?) of Michael Scott

Buzzfeed has collected assorted quotes from the only true manager of Dunder Mifflin - Scranton, Michael Scott. The brilliant thing about them is that in some weird way, there's a hint of truth to each of them. Check out my favorites below and the full list here:

4. Doctor Who/Duck Tales Mashup...That's Right.

Because I couldn't let one post go by without mentioning the Time Lord (and you were almost there!)

No one smirks like Ten

A couple of days ago I posted about the reboot of the classic NES Duck Tales game. Well, the theme song has been stuck in my head since then and, as things tend to do in this noggin of mine, the lyrics began to merge with other tropes and genres. What came out of it was an amalgamation so epic, I knew I had to share it.

So here it is folks, I know you've already started to hear that opening drum beat in your head (just like the Master)!

Flying through both time and space,

In the TARDIS.

Bigger on the inside,

Says companions.

Might solve a mystery, or rewrite history!

Doctor Who-oo!

Changing face, Regenerating. Doctor Who-oo!

Time Lord with two hearts and a fez. Doctor.

D-d-d-daleks, exterminate you! – There’s a Cyberman to convert you!

Weeping Angels, Silence can’t stop

Doctor Who-oo!

Changing face, Regenerating. Doctor Who-oo!

Time Lord with two hearts and a fez. Doctor Who-oo!

Not Captain Jack or River Song, but-

Doctor Who-oo!

Hit the play button to hear the original theme and see how mine stacks up!

And, if I've done my job right, that will be stuck in your head for the next few days.

C'mon, he even dresses like him!

 Allons-y!

-Joe

Your Evening Linc: McDiarmid on Palpatine Movie, Doctor Who Clips, Duck Tales Reboot, and More!

Hello everyone! It's a fine evening for geekery don't you think? Let's take a look at what the internet gods have bestowed upon us:

1. Ian McDiarmid Would Like To See A Palpatine Spinoff Movie....As Would We All

Me and my bestie, the master of all evil.

Because when the Emperor speaks you listen. SciFi Now has posted a great interview with my favorite actor from the Star Wars galaxy, the incomparable Ian McDiarmid. In it he discusses his upcoming appearance at Celebration Europe II, George Lucas, and what he thinks has kept Star Wars so appealing to so many for so long. He also talks about the future of the saga under Disney. And While Ian admits that there's no place for a dead Palpatine in the new trilogy, there might be hope for a standalone feature.:

“On the other hand they’ve got lots of exciting ideas for spin-offs about separate characters and so on, and then there is the television series which George has talked about and decided to make into being for a number of years, and that takes place between Episodes III and IV when the Emperor is very much alive. So I think he probably does have a future."

The mind swirls with ideas! The movie could be based on the immensely popular Darth Plagueis novel by James Luceno, or perhaps delve into the Emperor concentrating his power during the Dark Times. However you imagine it, a Sidious-based movie is definitely not something to chuck down a reactor shaft! Hopefully everything proceeds as he has foreseen.

2. New Bells of St. John Clip and An Interview From the 20th Anniversary of Doctor Who

I really can sympathize with the Doctor when he bemoans waiting out time like a normal person in the Series 7 episode "The Power of Three". The excruciating wait for the season to resume this Saturday is made just bearable (or perhaps more unbearable) by another cool clip from the people over at the BBC. We've seen the Doctor's wardrobe room before (most recently in  David Tennant's first outing in "The Christmas Invasion", but the Eleventh Doctor is keeping his costumes a little more within reach in this new incarnation of the TARDIS. Check out the clip below and see the Doctor don his new duds </alliteration>.

 

Because bowties are cool!

Now, while I was fumbling about YouTube, I happened to come across this great clip of a British news show from 1983 that features Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, and then-current Doctor Peter Davison reflecting on what makes Doctor Who so special. The three Who's are affable and having a ball as the host tries in vain to reign them in. It's funny to watch this and see them all marvel at the show's 20th anniversary knowing that the 50th is just around the corner. Pay special attention to the end when the moderator theorizes that, since the Doctor can only has 13 lives (according to the idea established in the Tom Baker era episode "The Deadly Assassin"), that the show would be on at least another 45 years, which brings us pretty close to the current era.

 

3. A-Woo-OO! Duck Tales NES Game To Get a High-Def Reboot!

In what I hope is a long line of rebooted classics to come, this summer will see the release of the original NES Duck Tales game. The brilliant minds at CAPCOM bring Scrooge McDuck back with stunning new graphics but with the same classic game play that brings you back to those days in Duckburg. Sing along to one of the best cartoon themes ever and feast your eyes on "Duck Tales - Remastered", out for all platforms Summer 2013.

 


4. Greyhound Sings the Halo Theme...and I Almost Choke on The Pretzel I'm Eating

Nothing more to say about this video. Just try not to laugh as this dog performs his rendition of the classic Halo theme:

 


I'm just waiting for this to be released on a remastered OST.



That's all for tonight, folks! Until next time,

-Joe

Your Morning Linc: Abrams talks Episode VII, Disney Talks Star Wars Land, Doctor Who Prequel Clip

Update to the Disney Parks story: A friendly source tells me that Disney-contracted engineers are looking at specifications for roads for a park that is as big as, if not bigger than, Animal Kingdom. Looking at the rate of new park creation (Magic Kingdom 1971 - EPCOT 1982 - Hollywood Studios 1989 - Animal Kingdom 1998 - Fantasy Land Upgrade 2012) a new Star Wars park could very well fit in nicely!

Good morning everyone! Five days into Spring and we're still worrying about snow here in New York. Hopefully these bits of nerdiness will warm your hearts.

1. J.J. Abrams Talks Episode VII with Empire Magazine

Showing off the Jedi Mind Trick he used to land both franchises

Fitting, isn't it? J.J. Abrams sat down with Empire Magazine to discuss Star Trek: Into Darkness, but it wasn't long before questions about Episode VII popped up. Here's a snippet of what he had to say about his decision to helm the first movie in the new trilogy:

"My knee-jerk reaction was that I'm in the middle of working on the Star Trek movie and I can't even consider it. But then time went by and I got further along working on the movie and getting to a place where I had done most of the heavy lifting. So when I met with Kathy Kennedy we just started discussing it and I was able to actually engage in the conversation. I went down to tell Katie, my wife, and I said, 'I had just a very interesting conversation with Kathy." That was the beginning."

And hopefully it is the beginning of many great things to come. The full interview is in the magazine which is out March 28th.

And speaking of things to come...

2. The Clone Wars to Wrap Up with Two Arcs and Disney Might Be Planning A Star Wars Park

R.I.P.

According to a source at TheForce.Net, it looks like we will be seeing two last story arcs for The Clone Wars. One that will not be airing would have reportedly centered around Boba Fett and his bounty hunter friends and revealed the ultimate fate of characters like Cad Bane and Aurra Sing.

Hopefully we will at least see what happens to Ahsoka and Rex. More on this as it develops.

Missing the Clone Wars and looking to delve into the Star Wars galaxy yourself? Well, Disney might just have the thing for you. After a stream of some pretty shocking news, fans might be happy to hear that visitors to Disneyland were asked to take a survey about a possible Star Wars-themed park.

Opinions were heavily influenced...

One of the questions asked was "How interested would you be in visiting a Star Wars themed land at the Disneyland Resort?" I can only assume that anyone who didn't answer "Extremely Interested" was beaten over the head with a gaffi stick until they answered correctly.

3. Doctor Who The Bells of St. John Prequel Online

We are under a week until Doctor Who returns! To whet your appetite a little the BBC released an online prequel to the first new episode "The Bells of St. John". The Doctor is having no luck finding the intriguing (and at this point, twice dead) Clara. His melancholic swinging is interrupted by a little girl who gives him some pretty good advice. Check it out below:

 


Well wasn't that sweet? And if Clara and the Doctor need any help, they can always call on Frazier Hines, who wants to reprise his role as kilt-wearing, Second Doctor companion Jamie McCrimmon full time. Hines says that with all the young characters, the show needs someone "for the grannies". Aye laddie!

Hope this brightens up your morning! More to come on The Missing Linc!

-Joe

Once Upon A Time Recap: "Selfless, Brave, and True"

Ah, nothing like coming back from a nice relaxing weekend to do a bit of blogging. And nothing says "The Missing Linc" more than a OUAT recap! So let's get into this week's episode: "Selfless, Brave, and True". As always, if you don't want to be spoiled like last month's bananas, you might want to avoid this post for the time being.

It seems that, according to Kitsiss and Horowitz, there's nothing like quite Phuket to run away to whilst having an existential crisis. I'm sure there's a deleted scene where August runs into Jack Shephard.

That's Chinese for "I'm Turning Into Wood"

At 8:15 am (that's 8:15 pm Storybrooke time, when Emma first enters town and time starts to move forward again) August wakes up to discover that his leg has turned back to wood. Still not quite the hero we see him become at the end of Season 1, he tries to find a way to heal himself and is led to a man known as the Dragon. But someone else is waiting for him. It looks like Neal's fiance`, Tamara, has a past that she hasn't shared with her future husband.

"Well if you think THIS is a wild story..."

Tamara, on a mission to find magic in this world, has tracked August and tricked him into getting a vial full of magic from the Dragon. The all-knowing, mysterious healer is fully aware of who Pinocchio is and where he comes from, but Tamara kills the Dragon (with a taser that I'm guessing was set to "Sith Lighting") before we find out more about him.

Is it at all wrong that I immediately thought "Mushu from Mulan"?

After a harrowing chase through the streets of Hong Kong, Tamara absconds with the vial, leaving August to further suffer the affects of being turned back into wood. However, she's not done with him yet. Following August to New York, she discovers that there is a town called Storybrooke, and that yet another man hails from the land of magic. Using the old "oops, clumsy me!" routine, she bumps into Neal and starts a relationship with him, biding her time until she can get her hands on an entire town's worth of magic.

And that brings the Stiltskin Family Love Success Rate to.....0%.

Back in Storybrooke, Snow White needs to clear her head and goes out to shoot some arrows, one of which finds its way directly into Pinocchio's leg. He cannot face the shame of returning to Storybrooke in his wooden state, despite Snow's insistence that there are people there who care about him. A visit from Tamara, who promises him a bit of healing potion in return for his exile, causes August to turn tail and run, until he discovers that she has been lying. Before he can warn his friends, Tamara once again sets her taser to 11 and fries August to a crisp (if you listen carefully, you can hear him whimper "Don't tase me, bro!"). But fear not, August fans! Because his last act was to attempt to warn Emma and Co., he was deemed selfless, brave, and true by the Blue Fairy and turned back into a hunky, dreamy....

....Oh. Never mind.

Unable to remember what he was going to tell them, Pinocchio walks off with Geppetto and the Blue Fairy, ready to give being a good little boy one more try. Meanwhile, Greg Mendell, aka Owen, has just had an encounter with Regina who warns him not to continue his search for his father. At the end of the episode, he receives a knock at the door. And the person on the other side is none other than: HER!

Behold: HER!

So, it aaall comes out! Tamara is in league with Owen, but what are their true intentions? Are they simply out to find his father? To gain access to magic? Or maybe they're just working together to accomplish their respective goals. It looks like the biggest threat to Storybrooke didn't come from Cora, but will instead come from our world. As we enter the home stretch to the finale, we'll find out more about their true plans in just....wait....what?.... THREE WEEKS?!

"Son of a..."

'Til then, dearies!

-Joe

Your Evening Linc: New Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer, OUAT Clip, And Doctor Who Teasers

What a fine evening it is! At the time of writing this blog has been viewed 1,034 times! I'm very grateful for all of you that have read, commented, and shared The Missing Linc. I have had a blast writing it and you better believe there will be more to come! As a matter of fact...

1. New Star Trek: Into Darkness Trailer and Poster

Now, I have to preface by saying I was never that big into Star Trek, but J.J. Abrams has certainly given the franchise new life and made it appeal to fans and non-fans alike. The sequel, Into Darkness is due out May 17th. Here is the new poster just released today:

Mr. Holmes, I presume?

It's funny, but once I start liking a new show or movie, it's all I see anywhere. Benedict Cumberbatch of Sherlock fame is looking absolutely dark and devious as villain John Harrison. Our heroes, Uhura, Kirk, and Spock, look a little out of their depth. And if the new trailer is any indication, it looks like they'll be facing a whole mess of danger.



2. Regina Confronts Owen in a Clip of Sunday's OUAT

It's always nice to see a familiar face...except when that face looks exactly the same as it did 30 years ago. Greg Mendell, aka a grown-up Owen, is confronted by Regina in his hotel room. He doesn't believe that his father just up and left Storybrooke and he demands answers. Regina gives him one: leave, or he'll disappear too.

 

Can't wait for Sunday and another fantastic episode!

3. Doctor Who: Bells of St. John Prequel To Air, New Clip, and Peter Jackson Really Wants to Direct

The good people over at the BBC will be airing a prequel webisode to the first new episode "The Bells of St John" on Saturday, March 23rd. The Doctor has been searching in vain to find Clara, the impossible girl who has died twice so far in different eras. When he does find her though, the Eleventh Doctor's boyish charm shines through (thanks to the brilliant acting of Matt Smith).

"Wait, this isn't a video clip!"

Well, Clara, you're right. The clip can only be viewed at Entertainment Weekly's website. But when you do, note the glee in the Doctor's voice. He can't help but be intrigued by Clara, who in this incarnation doesn't quite know who the Time Lord is yet. This scene is classic Smith, including his delight at his accidental invention of the "quadracycle".

And who knows, maybe one day we'll see an episode by this bright new talent named Peter Jackson. That's right, the Lord of the Rings director has been a Whovian since childhood and has publicly stated more than once that he would love to take the helm for an episode. Jackson reveals his enthusiasm in another exclusive EW article.

"They don't even have to pay me," Jackson writes. But I have got my eye on one of those nice new gold-colored Daleks. They must have a spare one (hint, hint).

Does this man have any unfulfilled child fantasies?

C'mon Moffat, giive him what he wants!

That's all for now! Here's to the next 1,000 views and beyond!

-Joe

Your Morning Linc: Disney To Shut Down LucasArts? Plus, I Join A Podcast and Discover A New Fandom

Good morning one and all! Got some late breaking news last night that needs to be shared:

1. Disney To Shut Down LucasArts?

In the wake of the cancellation of the Clone Wars and the disbanding of the Lucasfilm Animation team, rumors are quickly spreading that the next division on the chopping block is none other than LucasArts. Games Industry International is reporting that hiring has been frozen and the slate of games has been reduced solely to Star Wars 1313, though the fate of that game (like that of the rumored First Assault) is in question.

"Legend says they dropped The Clone Wars team down there..."

LucasArts brought in $150 million in revenue (with operating income of $90 million) in 2012 due to titles such The Old Republic MMORPG and Lego Star Wars III and division heads have adamantly denied the claim. But an ex-employee has been quoted as stating that the company suffers from "no stomach for a truly original product and a slender means to produce their previous cash cows - Indy and Star Wars".

More on this as it develops. I remind everyone to be patient and wait for official confirmation of anything before storming the castles at the Disney theme parks.

2. The Missing Linc On the Positively Nerdy Podcast Panel

A podcast 2 + Years in the Making

So someone thought it was a good idea to let me speak on a podcast. Last night I was invited by my friend Ryan Porter onto his podcast, Positively Nerdy, to discuss a very interesting topic: At what point does Anakin Skywalker become Darth Vader? Joining me was Star Wars artist Joe Hogan and Hughes the Force producer Ruark Dreher. Joe and I met both Ruark and Ryan at Celebration V in Orlando way back in 2010. Being able to debate about Anakin's turn to the dark side felt like we were back at Miller's Ale House on International Drive. When the podcast is released you can bet that I will post it here. I'm looking forward to many more Star Wars chats to come!

3. The BBC Might Just Control My Life: I Finally Discover Sherlock

Well, it was inevitable. Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat and writer Mark Gatiss teamed up in 2010 to give their take on the famous resident of 221B Baker Street. The result was Sherlock, and it is marvelous.

Much like Holmes' fashion sense.

Benedict Cumberbatch (possibly the most British name ever?) does a phenomenal job playing the great detective. He can rattle off deductions with impressive speed and keeps the character mysterious and intriguing. He is, as always, supported by his friend Dr. John Watson played by Martin Freeman, a former army doctor who does his best to keep up with Holmes and remind him to be human every so often.

And not a dwarf song to be heard.

The interplay between the two is great, as one definitely relies on the other throughout the series. Supporting characters such as Holmes' brother Mycroft (Gatiss), who is a high-ranking intelligence official, the doting landlady Mrs. Hudson (Linda Jean), the masterfully played Moriarty (Andrew Scott), and the seductive Irene Adler (Lara Pulver) quickly become favorites as well.

On Netflix, each episode is about an hour and half long (three episodes per season, so far), but they fly by. Holmes uses modern day technology to unravel the clues, sometimes even sending Watson off to a crime scene only to Skype back the details. And a really cool part of the show is watching Holmes deduce something from seemingly mundane pieces of information. Words and symbols literally appear to the viewer and you can begin to see the inner-workings of the mind of a genius like Sherlock. Check out the trailer for Season 1 below (with Muse's "Uprising" playing in the background!)

The show is definitely worth a look for anyone who enjoys mystery and suspense with some great characters and humor thrown in. 

Update: Benedict Cumberbatch also did the voice and motion capture for Smaug and the Necromancer in his pal Martin Freeman's movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and will reprise both roles in the sequel. He will also portray John Harrison, the main antagonist in Star Trek: Into Darkness

Enjoy the rest of your day, guys!

-Joe

Your Evening Linc: Randy Martinez Art, Marvel Movies, EW Features Doctor Who, Once Upon A Time Novel

Well, it's finally spring! Of course, nature didn't quite get the memo here in New York, but I can only hope that maybe its cell died. Nevertheless, here are some really cool stories from around the web just for you!

1. Randy Martinez Releases "Retire of the Jedi" Series of Prints

Star Wars artist and heck-of-a-nice guy Randy Martinez has released a series of prints in his "Retire of the Jedi" series. It's a hilarious take on what our heroes have been up to in their golden years. You can purchase the prints for $25 and see much much more on his site. See below for the elderly antics of our favorite Star Wars characters:

"I'm no good to me dead."

"Laugh it up, fuzzball....I said...LAUGH IT UP FUZZ- aahhh forget it!"

"Hey Lobot, did I ever tell you about my little maneuver at the Battle of Tanaab?"
"I believe I'm looking at it, sir."

"But I was going to Tosche Station to pick up some space Viagra!"

2. Reynolds, Stone, and Dinklage Dish On Their Respective Marvel Movies

Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone sat down to talk about their upcoming animated film The Croods and, towards the end, were asked about Deadpool and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, respectively. Stone praises the script and Reynolds, unfortunately, does not see a movie about the witty anti-hero coming about any time soon. You can skip to around 4:18 for their comments:

   

Not to be outdone in the Marvel Non-Disclosure Contest, Peter Dinklage, the brilliant actor behind everyone's favorite Lannister in Game of Thrones, spoke briefly at a premiere for the show about his possible role in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Get More: MTV Shows

For those of you that don't know, Bolivar Trask is the infamous creator of the mutant-hunting giant robots known as Sentinels. "Days of Future Past" is a seminal X-Men story in which the assassination of a senator is blamed on mutants, resulting in a dystopian future where mutants are forced into internment camps. The movie will see the casts of the original trilogy and X-Men: First Class unite through time to stop that future from coming true. Which of course is a perfect segue into:

3. Entertainment Weekly Celebrates 50 Years of Doctor Who

It looks like the Oncoming Storm has found his way onto the cover of Entertainment Weekly. The magazine, out this week, is celebrating all things Who: Doctors, companions, monsters, and more! They even feature an essay written by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson in which he expounds on his love for the show.

"Doctor, don't look, but there's a Dalek behind you."
"Oh he's just a camera hog, ignore him."

And, to make the wait for the series return on March 30th even more excrutiating,
producer Marcus Wilson is teasing fans that they will never, could never, guess Clara's secret:

"It's a riddle that won't easily be cracked. I defy anybody to guess it. Steven Moffat has found a way to lead everybody down the garden path and then knock them over with surprise at the end."

Or perhaps a Cyber-smack uppa you head!

Challenge accepted, Mr. Wilson.

4. Visit Storybrooke in a Story Book: Once Upon A Time Expanding To Novels

What better fit for a show about stories than to actually branch out into the world of books? Disney-owned Hyperion books will be launching the first title, Reawakened which follows the split storyline of the show, starring Emma in Storybrooke and Snow White in Fairy Tale Land. Written by Odette Beane, this book might not be the key to breaking a curse, but it might just be a great way to delve further into the show.

And that'll be all for tonight, folks! I'll leave you by paraphrasing Tennyson:

"In the Spring, a young fan's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love...and aliens...and lasers...and superpowers...and magic...and..."

-Joe

Your Evening Linc: Episode VII rumors, Clone Wars Team Disbanded, Clara on Craig and More!

So there's been a lot of really interesting Star Wars news and I couldn't wait until tomorrow to share it. Punch it, Chewie!

This is my Chewie, and today is his birthday.

1. Han Solo Might Return To Face a Disciple of Palpatine With His Kids

In an interview with WGN, Harrison Ford sounded confident that everyone's favorite smuggler turned Rebel will return for Episode VII. This jives pretty well with what George Lucas said in a Bloomberg a few weeks ago. And, according to a source for Cosmic Booknews (yes, the Cosmic Booknews....) Han will be joining his kids in an adventure 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi. The Jedi Order has been rebuilt with Luke at its head, and a "disciple of Emperor Palpatine aims to rebuild the Sith Armies of the Old Republic and destroy the Jedi." Moreover, the Skywalker/Solo children must confront their dark lineage and exactly what it means to be the grandchildren of Anakin Skywalker.

"I am so, so sorry." - Shmi Skywalker

This actually sounds like a pretty cool storyline. First, we won't have a resurrected Emperor, and so it is completely conceivable (especially when considering the EU) that Darth Sidious would have a few acolytes in the wings just in case Darth Vader proved unworthy. I also like the idea of the next generation having the shadow of Anakin cast over them. How do you deal not only with having famous parents, but an infamous grandfather?

By the way, I encourage you to take this great big heaping grain of salt with any rumor until Lucasfilm/Disney confirms anything.

2. Clone Wars Team Disbanded?

Another rumor that makes the Truth-O-Meter go all wonky is the one coming from Rebelscum.com that the entire team of the Clone Wars (cast, crew, janitors) has been completely disbanded and dismissed.  This dramatic downsizing will result in further projects being handed over to existing Disney television operations.

Ahsoka has been seen begging on the streets of Coruscant.

What this means for the Season 6 material we were promised, I have no idea. What's for sure is that this is one crazy, turbulent time for Star Wars. More on this as it develops.

3. Jenna-Louise Coleman Chats with Craig Ferguson

Now turning once again to the world of Doctor Who, new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman stopped by Craig Ferguson where he labeled her the "sauciest ever companion". Check out the whole interview here, including Jenna-Louise schooling Craig on having to update his TARDIS:

 

4. Been Testing Out The New Facebook Design....And It's Pretty Cool

Before the wailing and gnashing of teeth commence when Facebook fully switches over to its new design, allow me to say this: It's actually really cool.



From a user standpoint, I think it eliminates the clutter of the current home page. Most of the real estate is taken up by the Newsfeed, with statuses and especially pictures coming in much bigger and more clearly. Everything else you need is in a convenient sidebar. I switched over this morning and it only took a few minutes to really get used to the layout. There is a much more natural flow to the page and it actually feels more intuitive.

Now, I can't stop everyone from bemoaning the death of Facebook as they know it (which is not how they first knew it), but hopefully this will ease the transition a little.

Until next time, friends!

-Joe

St. Joseph's Day Lincs: Star Wars March Madness, JAT Says Farewell to the Clone Wars, Goodbye to the Office, and Doctor Who 50th

Happy St. Joseph's Day everyone! While not as popular as some other saint's day this past weekend, today is a very big deal for Italians and for my family (we have a lot of Joe's). So Viva la Tavola di San Giuseppe! And now let's get down to business:

1. Star Wars March Madness Brackets

Because who needs basketball when you have a good blaster at your side? StarWars.com is hosting its own March Madness and is asking fans to pick their favorites as they go head to head for the top spot. Head on over and cast your vote!

2. James Arnold Taylor Bids Farewell to the Clone Wars, Proves Once Again Why He's The Man

Please....don't.....leave us.

The voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi (and Plo Koon), James Arnold Taylor spoke with IGN about the show's cancellation and what the future holds. He has already published a very touching and heartfelt letter on his website, and apparently is now on a mission to make every fan cry. Here is part of what he said on the fan reaction to the show's untimely demise:

"[I]t really is a touching, heartfelt, wonderful thing to read people's posts and comments on social media outlets and blogs. To get that outpouring of people saying how much they believed in the show and how they loved it and shared it with their kids and families."

I've had the pleasure of meeting James a bunch of times over the past few years. He is an absolutely incredible person who loves his job, his family, and his fans. In the Star Wars community, when you think of Obi-Wan you now think: Alec Guiness, Ewan McGregor, and James Arnold Taylor. He's been overseas to entertain the troops, hosted Celebration VI and Star Wars Weekends at Disney World, and has been performing his one man show "Talking To Myself" to the delight of many. No doubt we'll hear more from the man behind the galaxy's most famous beard. Thanks, James, and May the Force Be With You.

3. Speaking of Goodbyes....The Office Has Filmed Its Final Episode

The hit NBC show is saying goodbye this season, and I'm really taking the loss hard. I went to the University of Scranton, in the city where The Office is set. The show premiered when I was a sophomore, and by the time I was a senior not only did most everyone in the country know about Scranton, but the cast actually came to visit! Thousands of students lined up on the Commons at 3 AM to be part of Al Roker and the Today Show's coverage of the weekend-long event.

Bob Vance and Stanley being eyed by the giant Dwight head

Daryl leading a chant of "Scranton WHAT?"

Angela and (a much younger) me, just chillin

Creed, Meredith, and Oscar taking it all in

So when the HuffPo posted the tweets of all the actor's thoughts on their last day, I couldn't help but feel sad. I've been out of college for five years, but my pride in the University and my passion for the city remains strong. With the end of The Office, I feel like I'm losing a connection to that place I love so much. Just hearing the references to the Steamtown Mall or Cooper's (all real places!) and seeing the University blanket behind Pam (and now Erin) made me smile. When I drive back up to Scranton for alumni events or to visit friends, I always put on The Office theme as I pass by the "Scranton Welcomes You" sign. So while the country might be losing a show, I feel that we are all losing a connection that that charming town in Pennsylvania. That jewel of NEPA known as:

Scranton! WHAT? The Electric City!


4. Doctor Who: Rumors and Teases from The Cast and Crew

One thing is for sure, we may be losing some great shows, but Doctor Who is going to be around for a long time to come! (Or...has been around...will have been around? Wibbly wobbly and all that...)

"Oh, you ride a motorcycle to pick up chicks? That's cute."

Current Doctor Matt Smith shares his thoughts on the freshly completed script for the 50th Anniversary spectacular:

"I read it and I clapped at the end...I think it's hilarious and I think it's epic - but you will not be disappointed"

I don't know about you, but I trust the Time Lord. And the Grand Moff himself, showrunner Steven Moffat, has said that we will learn more about what's waiting for the Doctor on the fields of Trenzalore. It all goes down November 23.

That's it for now, so go enjoy some sfingi di San Giuseppe!

Take that, Irish soda bread.

-Joe

Your Evening Linc: Trailers Galore! Game of Thrones and Iron Man 3 trailers Promise A Whole Lot of Awesome to Come!

While I know you're all glued to the season premiere of Dancing With the Stars (because, let's face it, so am I), I just wanted to pop in with some evening links for your perusing.

1. New Game of Thrones Trailer and Teasers

The new season of Game of Thrones is almost here (again, look to your right. There be a countdown.) Not one to pass up the opportunity to make the wait seem excrutiatingly long, the good folks at HBO dropped this little nugget:

No doubt some serious saber-clashing, spear throwing, and fire-breathing is about to go down! As an added bonus, here are two teaser clips. The first, called "War" deals with what everyone wants to get out of the long and bloody feud engulfing Westeros:



The second, called "Beast", gives us a hint as to the darkness that is to come:


Brace yourselves, awesomeness is coming.

2. Iron Man 3 Trailer and Interviews

Not to be outdone, Marvel has released a new trailer for Iron Man 3. It looks like Mr. Stark has everything on the line as he fights his comic book arch-nemesis: The Mandarin

"I don't always wear rings. But when I do, I use them to take over the world."

Check out the awesome trailer here:

 

And Total Film had a series of interviews with the actors, including the man playing the Mandarin, Ben Kingsley. Here's what he had to say:

"I didn't have any template to copy. I'm undereducated as far as Marvel comics are concerned, and that can be a good thing, like coming to a Shakespeare play fresh rather than having done it 20 times....[It's] a human portrayal of evil on a grand scale. [Mandarin] released demonic layers in me...I did go a little crazy!"

Well here's hoping all that craziness works out when Iron Man 3 comes out this summer. And, if you ever wondered what happened to the first Lt. Col. James Rhodes, Terrance Howard, he explains to Total Film that the studio offered him a bum deal which he walked on, but it wasn't all bad news for The Man Who Would Be War Machine:

"I didn't know  it wasn't a mutually binding contract; it was only beneficial for them to bring me back or not. They can honor it or not. And you know they made a great deal, Don (Cheadle) and Robert (Downey, Jr.) they get along well. But the best thing that happened as a result of it, I went back to school and finished and got my doctorate in chemical engineering. And now I have a company where we grow diamonds. That's going to replace the silicon in computers; that's going to replace all gemstones. So, if that hadn't happened, I would never have gone back [to school]."

So it looks like, in the future, Terrance can build his own metal suit if he so chose.

"'Next time?' Hell, I'll buy it off you right now. Will a fistful of chemically engineered diamonds cover it?"

Well that's your Evening Linc! And I've got plenty more coming your way only here at The Missing Linc! Stay tuned!

-Joe

Once Upon A Time Review: "Welcome to Storybrooke"

Welcome back, dearies! It's time to review tonight's episode of Once Upon A Time: "Welcome To Storybrooke"

Now GTFO.

I really liked that we returned to Storybrooke B.C. (before Curse). It gave this episode a very Lost-like feel in the beginning, with a seemingly normal camping trip turning into ground zero for the newly arrived curse. It was also great seeing Regina walk through the town as it stayed stuck in time, something we hadn't seen in effect until now (remember Emma's entry into Storybrooke caused time to start moving forward again). Her delight in torturing Mary Margaret was a nice replay of their dynamic before Emma came to town. And Gold's refusal to admit he remembered everything must have been a fun trick for Rumple to play to pass the time. (I'll try not to mention Ruby's re-skankification). But Regina realized that something was missing in the day to day monotony of a town stuck in an infinite loop.

"If that groundhog shows up I swear to God..."

All she ever wanted was to be loved. She couldn't receive that from her mother, from Snow White, or from the citizens of Fairytale Land. She even had to compel Sheriff Graham to come to her bed night after night after night.

Ladies? ....Alright....and Gents?

But then, father and son duo Kurt and Owen find their way into the newly established town, and everything changes. Regina realizes that all she needs is the one person who could love her unconditionally...a child. Not being the best with the whole, ya know, "emotions" thing, she tries to keep the pair in Storybrooke in order to stay close with Owen. That ("unexpectedly") backfires, and Kurt and Owen try to flee Storybrooke, and Regina's clutches, after Kurt finds Regina talking into Graham's heart. Kurt is taken away, and Owen flees. I tell ya what, though, the scene where he brings the police to the boundary, where they can't see the sign on the other side, and vows to find his dad and Regina is on the other side of the bubble was very touching. Of course, it was then that I was really starting to suspect just who he might turn out to be...

Back in current Storybrooke, Regina is looking to get even with Snow. She wants vengeance, and a spell left by her mother looks to be the key to all of it. A quick intervention by Rumple stalls her, but a showdown is inevitable. Cut to the woods where Henry attempts to destroy magic by throwing dynamite down the well.

"Destroy magic with TNT? Oh you are just precious."

After complaining most of the show (season? series?) about the adults making adult decisions, Henry actually convinces the two sides to stand down. Regina destroys the curse, and it looks like no more blood will be spilled. Regina once again does the right thing in order to maintain her relationship with Henry. She truly shows him that he is the most important thing to her. Not power, not vengeance, but him.

And then what does that little creep do? He leaves her to go with Emma! AGAIN!

"Son of a...."

Again! Regina did the right thing...TWICE....in the same location....and the little piss ant goes running off with his other family...AGAIN! Ya know what? I'd blow them all up right then and there. Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if she went into a chorus of "No Good Deed" from Wicked (admit it, that would be pretty cool). But don't worry, Regina had one more surprise waiting for her that day.

This is as emo as Snow White gets.

A guilt-ridden Snow knocks on Regina's door and begs for death. Which is, frankly, kiiiinda dark for the fairest in the land. Regina refuses, for Henry's sake,but can't resist pulling the ol' Kali-Ma on her nemesis. And when she does, she finds something that makes her grin. Snow White's heart, the purest of them all, is turning black. Like a cancer it will grow until it consumes her, turns her, and destroys her family. Then, Regina notes with fiendish glee, she really can have it all. I absolutely loved the interplay between Snow and Regina. It was perfectly crafted and once again set up the oldest rivalry in the history of fairy tales. Regina retook her place as the Evil Queen, not with some grand act of evil, but with a deep malevolence borne out of the singular hatred she has for the woman who has impeded her happiness for such a long time. She didn't need to destroy Snow White, Snow White would destroy herself.

Meanwhile, resident outpatient and amateur voyeur Greg Mendell has just come from stalking Henry in the woods and is seen filming Regina and Snow's heart to heart (or heart to hand, I should say? Heh, heh. Get it? Heart to...okay I'll stop). As he gets in the car he confirms what we all suspected....he is Owen, all grown up. And it's about time he found his dad!

Who I can only imagine, much to Graham's chagrin, tried again and again to have the sheriff "arrest" him.

The preview was also pretty tantalizing. What is Neal's girlfriend (maybe Tiger Lilly) up to? Why the sly grin? And if anyone had any doubt who the man was in the trailer, let's just say he won't be telling any lies about his whereabouts. It certainly wood make the situation worse.

It's Pinocchio, is what I'm trying to say. We get to see Pinocchio again.

This was a great episode to transition into the home stretch to the season finale. And I'll be right there posting along the way. Stay tuned, dearies!

-Joe