Friday 30 June 2017

The Mist Episode 1 'Pilot' Review



This review WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS, if you do not want certain plot points or story spoilt, please do not read further.


I enjoyed the 2007 film version of Stephen King novella 'The Mist', I still think that it's got one of the bleakest endings in film history; so when it was announced that Spike would be producing a series based upon the story I was a little unsure how they would make an effective show.

The premise is a good one, a mysterious and otherworldly mist that hides monsters and horrors that you couldn't imagine, but to spin the story across a dozen or more hours of television would require a great deal of expansion upon the original story.

As such, the first episode of 'The Mist' is dedicated to set-up, to letting us get to know the inhabitants of Bridgeville before they start getting killed off.

Unfortunately, most of this episode left me feeling bored and unenthusiastic, with many of the characters actually either outright boring me or ending up with me wanting them to get killed at some point. There's only a couple of characters in this first episode that I found myself liking and one of them was one of the first to die.


Bridgeville seems to be inhabited by complete arse-holes. The main family consists of Kevin, a boring father, Eve, a flat and uninteresting angry and overprotective  mother stereotype, and their daughter Alex, who is forced to go through a date-rape plot to add extra conflict between her parents; as well as having half the town turn against them and their 'whore' daughter.

Outside of the main family there's Adrian ,the 'freak' outcast who's the victim of homophobic abuse at the drop of the hat with at least three other characters attacking him for it. There's the high school quarterback/son of the sheriff rapist Jay, who is instantly unlikable even before becoming a rapist. 

Connor, the town sheriff comes across as a bully and a coward. Mia's a drug addict murderer who likes to be aggressive and picks fights with people. Bryan is the amnesiac soldier who's definitely connected to whatever's behind what's happening but can't be calm enough for five minutes not to have people think he's crazy. Then there's Benedict Raven, one of the few likable characters in the show who seems to know that something is wrong before the Mist rolls into town, but after seeing her husband murdered in front of her seems to being set up as going crazy later in the series.

Whilst the majority of the pilot episode is given over to the human drama of Bridgeville, much to the detriment of the episode, when the mist finally does reach town in the last ten minutes things start to get interesting.


People get attacked by swarms of insects, others seem to go a little insane and turn on each other, whilst one particularly unpleasant woman gets her jaw ripped out before being dragged into the mist by something unseen.

Whilst the series appears to be pushing the horrors of people as one of the main points of conflict over the monsters in the mist I'm hoping that this is a focus that will begin to shift as the show goes on. As it is after the first episode 'The Mist' has managed to hold my attention on the hopes that things might get more interesting, but runs the risk of losing me.

The pilot episode probably won't be one for everyone, and whilst some may enjoy it I'm sure that it will struggle to hold other's attention. Fingers crossed that the series will soon improve in quality.


Go to Amy's Blog

Gotham Actor Donal Logue's Transgender Daughter Jade Missing



Jade Logue, the 16-year-old daughter of Gotham star Donal Logue, has been reported missing since Tuesday this week.

Logue tweeted a post on Tuesday saying that his daughter did not return home and was missing. The tweet was later deleted by Logue, who has since told the media that he is unable to comment on the situation as he is speaking to police.


The tweet has since been shared around social media, however, an NYPD spokesperson has said that as of Wednesday morning the teenager has not returned home.

Jade was last seen wearing a green jacket, lime green hoodie and a grey baseball cap.

Anyone with information that can help to locate Jade is urged to call (800) 577-TIPPS. All calls are allowed to remain anonymous.


Go to Amy's Blog

Everything Left Episode 17 - The Stand Up Special


In this episode I'm joined by some of the team behind the exciting new publication Stand Up, a magazine aimed at giving young people in the UK a voice in politics.




Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com
Blogger: http://trans--scribe.blogspot.co.uk/


Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music


Now a part of the Black Hole Media Network www.facebook.com/blackhmedia

Thursday 29 June 2017

Netflix Release New Death Note Image



Adam Wingard, director of the upcoming Netflix live action Death Note series, has released a new poster for the show, revealing the first look at one of the main characters; the shinigami Ryuk. Ryuk will be voiced in the series by veteran actor Willem Dafoe.

The official synopsis for the show was recently released by Viz Media;

'Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and Light vows to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But will Light succeed in his noble goal, or will the Death Note turn him into the very thing he fights against?'

What if you had the power to decide who lives and who dies? We suggest you obey the rules. Based on the famour Japanese manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note follows a high school student who comes across a supernatural notebook, realising it holds within great power; if the owner inscribes someone's name into it while picturing their face, he or she will die. Intoxicated with his new godlike abilities, the young man begins to kill those he deems unworthy of life.


Fan reaction to the first trailer for the series was mixed, with many complaining that the show had failed to capture the seedy supernatural aestetic that the series is known for, and others criticising casting choices and making accusations of whitewashing.

Death Note will be released August 25.


Go to Amy's Blog

Supergirl and Martian Manhunter Brickheadz Coming To Comic Con



Lego has revealed two brand new Brickheadz that are coming to San Diego Comic Con, Supergirl and Martian Manhunter.

Both characters are based upon their CW Supergirl series designs, and the set will cost $40.00.


Go to Amy's Blog

Wednesday 28 June 2017

Star Wars Forces Of Destiny Animated Series To Premier Next Week



Since the announcement that Star Wars Rebels would be ending with the coming fourth season Star Wars fans have been left wondering what to expect for the next television installment. Luckily, the wait will soon be over as the latest animated series, Forces of Destiny, will be premiering on Disney's Youtube channel next week before heading to television.

Forces of Destiny is an anthology series, with stories following well known and beloved Star Wars characters such as Princess Leia, Padme Amidala, Sabine Wren, Jyn Erso, Rey, and Ahsoka Tano, with narration from intergalactic bartender Maz Kanata.



These stories will be set throughout the Star Wars timeline, showing events before, during, and after adventures we have already seen; leading to fan speculation that we may learn more about the time between Episodes 6 and 7, and even events after The Force Awakens.

Many stars of the Star Wars franchise will be appearing in the show, reprising their characters, such as Felicity Jones, Lupita Nyong'o, Tiya Sircar, Ashley Eckstein, and Daisy Ridley.

The series will premier on Youtube on July 3rd before it's television release on July 9th.


Go to Amy's Blog

Everything Left Episode 16 - Wonder Woman


In this episode I'm joined by Adi Anhang as we discuss the new Wonder Woman film in more detail, and an extra film starring a famous comic book Chris.




Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
Acast: http://www.acast.com/everythingleft
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com


Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music


Now a part of the Black Hole Media Network www.facebook.com/blackhmedia

Tuesday 27 June 2017

Student Told To Remove Pride Badge As It 'Promoted' Homosexuality



A 16-year-old student at St. Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn, Scotland, was told to remove Pride badge as it 'promotes' homosexuality.

The student, who has chosen to remain anonymous, told the press that they had recently attended Edinburgh Pride, where he received a small badge with a rainbow heart on it. Upon wearing the badge to school, however, he was told by staff to remove it.

The teen said that the instruction was given by a teacher on behalf of the Academy's head, Mr Sharkey.

'I was given no reason as to why, then after I got upset about it I was told by the teacher who told me to take it off that the school had 'no problem' with me being gay, but however I'm 'promoting' it by wearing the badge,' he told Pink News.

The student reported that after he refused to remove the badge the same instruction was then given to him by a senior member of the staff, giving the same reasons,

A member of the West Lothian Council has stated that all pupils at ST. Kentigern's are made to remove non-school related badges from their uniform as a standard policy. However, the student has countered to say that the policy only states that students must not wear jewelry which could be seen to encourage rivalry, cause offence, damage flooring, promote a message contrary to the values of the school, carry advertising or can be used as a weapon.

The student has said that not only does his Pride badge stay within these specified guidelines, but that students are often allowed to wear badges as part of their uniform.


'I was told by the senior staff member that the school was okay with my sexuality, I just can't promote it.' The student said. 'I said to her that I wore the badge because it was the only place where I felt safe about my sexuality and she told me 'you don't need to wear a badge for that'.

'I feel shocked by the whole thing as well as scared as I no longer feel comfortable going to school. I feel I am going to a place where there's homophobia from staff members, Which feels much more scarier than when I encountered the same from other pupils.

'I feel that there is a lack of understanding of what I am wearing, it's significance, what it stands for, as well as what it doesn't stand for.'

The student has said that he was particularly distressed because he has not yet come out to his family and his school was an environment that he felt comfortable to be himself in.

A spokesperson for the Time For Inclusion (Tie) campaign, which advocates for LGBT+ inclusion in schools released a statement on the matter, saying;

'For almost two years now we have been campaigning for an LGBTI inclusive educational approach in all schools to help eradicate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. A crucial aspect of our work is challenging negative or prejudicial attitudes towards LGBTI learners.

'Schools can take the lead here, and a central part of their efforts should be around encouraging visibility - alongside a whole school approach towards LGBTI inclusion. The suggestion that the wearing of a Pride badge is 'promoting homosexuality' is not only incorrect, but offensive.

'We would urge the school in question to rethink their approach here, and we would be more than happy to work alongside them in order to help create a more inclusive environment for all their staff and pupils.'

Monica Lennon, the spokesperson for Scottish Labour inequalities, said; 'Sadly LGBTI inclusive education is still a right to be fought for in Scotland's schools. If a school believes that that celebrating love and equality is something to be hidden, serious questions need to be asked about that school.

'The Scottish government must work at pace towards enshrining LGBTI inclusive education in law to prevent more young people being failed.'


Go to Amy's Blog

New Inhumans Poster Reveals Air Date


Marvel's latest television series, Inhumans, has received a new poster advertising the start of the show and their IMAX premier, along with the air date for the series on television of September 29th.


Inhumans will star Anson Mount as Black Bolt, Serinda Swan as Medusa, and Iwan Rheon as Maximus (all featured on the new poster). The show will also include Ken Leung as Karnak, Eme Ikwuakor as Triton, Sonya Balmores as Auran, and Isabelle Cornish as Crystal.

Inhumans will follow the story of the displaced Inhuman Royal Family on Earth.


Go to Amy's Blog

Sesame Street Celebrates Pride Month



Sesame Street has long been one of the most progressive and groundbreaking children's shows, having covered topics like death, HIV and Aids, divorce, Autism, financial difficulties, disability, parental incarceration, and environmentalism to name but a few.

With such a rich history of supporting good causes and raising children's awareness of real world differences and issues it's of little surprise that the show has come out in support of the LGBT+ community and Pride month.

The show's official Twitter page tweeted an image of popular character Elmo and several other muppets forming a rainbow.


Whilst the tweet has received a great deal of support and approval on social media some people are decrying the tweet as 'evidence of an agenda' at Sesame Street and HBO, with some on the extreme end claiming that the show, and Pride, are trying to sexualise children.


Go to Amy's Blog

Monday 26 June 2017

Teenager Arrested Following Pride Death Threats



A 19 year old man from Cumbria has been arrested following online threats to kill people at a Pride event with a machete.

The young man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested by Cumbria Police after posting threatening messages on a Facebook page for a Cumbria Pride event that was being held at the New Empire pub.

'I'm going to walk in with a fucking machete and slaughter every one of the gay bastards.' He wrote on the events post, along with a photograph of the weapon he had purchased.

'I've had enough. I don't want to live in a gay world and I sure as hell don't want my children living in one. What happened to our traditional qualities? They're fucking ruined.

'I don't care if I die, I'm fighting for what I believe in and that's the future of my country, my folk and my race.'


The manager of the New Empire pub told the press that they did consider cancelling the event, however, after discussions with attendees and staff decided to go forward with the plans.

'We asked customers in the pub if they wanted to stay or leave and they all said no. We felt safe as armed police were parked outside. We had lots of phone calls and massages of support but obviously, some people stayed away.' They told news outlet Pink News.

'We are very proud to support the LGBT community and will not be deterred by any of this.'

The man was arrested shortly before the event, with Cumbria Police Superintendent Mark Pannone releasing a statement to reassure the public and the attendees of the event.

'I can confirm that following further inquiries it was determined that it would be appropriate for the investigation to be led by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit. We will support them, as required, with their ongoing investigation.

'Public safety is our absolute priority which was why we acted quickly last night to protect the community, and arrested a 19-year-old man from Barrow.

'I can reassure the community that we have robust procedures in place to respond to reports of of serious activity and we will continue to work closely with our local communities to help keep Cumbria safe.

'Over the last few weeks we have increased patrols in our neighborhoods and at local events to prioritise the safety of the public and would ask people to continue to be alert and report any suspicious activity to the police.

'There is no place for hate crime in Cumbria, it will not be tolerated.'


Go to Amy's Blog

Chicago Dyke March Bans Jewish Pride Flag, Ejects Participants



The Chicago Dyke March, part of the larger Chicago Pride events happening in the city this month, has faced controversy and condemnation as it has banned participants from carrying Jewish Star of David flags at their event.

Local LGBT+ newspaper, Windy City Times, reported that three people were asked to leave the celebration after flying the flags.

The Windy City Times wrote;

However, also asked to leave by Collective members of the Dyke March were three people carrying Jewish Pride flags (rainbow flags with the Star of David in the middle).

According to one of the individuals - A Wider Bridge Midwest Manager Laurel Grauer - she and her friends were approached a number of times at the park because they were holding the flag.

'It was a flag from my congregation which celebrates my queer, Jewish identity which I have done for over a decade marching in the Dyke March with the same flag,' she told Windy City Times.

She added that she lost count of the number of people that who harassed her.

One Dyke March collective member asked by Windy City Times for a response, said the women were told to leave because the flags 'made people feel unsafe', that the march was 'anti-Zionist' and 'pro-Palestinian'.

'They were telling me to leave because my flag was a trigger to people that found it offensive,' Grauer said. 'Prior to this I had never been harassed or asked to leave and I had always carried the flag with me.'

The Dyke March is billed as a more inclusive event, one that has a stronger focus on social justice issues that larger Pride events. More than 1,500 people participated in this years march.

The American Jewish Committee condemned the actions and called for others to do so too, to speak up against the decision to eject Jewish LGBT+ people. American Jewish Committee Chicago Director Amy Stoken said, 'In the heart of our city one of the most blatant incidents of anti-Semetism took place at the Dyke March. Where is the collective outrage over this despicable targeting of Jews?'

Dyke March did release a statement about the matter on their social media, which read;

Yesterday, June 24, Chicago Dyke March was held in the La Villita neighborhood to express support for undocumented, refugee and immigrant communities under threat of deportation. Sadly our celebration of dyke, queer and trans solidarity was partially overshadowed by our decision to ask three individuals carrying Israeli flags superimposed on rainbow flags to leave the rally. 

This decision was made after they repeatedly expressed their support for Zionism during conversations with Chicago Dyke March Collective members. We have since learnt that one of these individuals is a regional director for A Wider Bridge, an organisation with connections to the Israeli state and right-wing pro-Islam interest groups.

A Wider Bridge has been protested for provocative actions at other LGBTQ events and has been condemned by numerous organisations for using Israel's supposed 'LGBTQ tolerance' to pinkwash the violent occupation of Palestine.

The Chicago Dyke March Collective is explicitly not anti-Semetic, we are anti-Zionist. The Chicago Dyke March Collective supports the liberation of Palestine and all oppressed people everywhere.

From Palestine to Mexico, border walls have to go!

In January 2016, a Shabbat service being held for Jewish participants of a gay activism conference in Chicago, was protested by hundreds of people.

Protesters entered the conference area chanting 'Hey hey, ho ho, pinkwashing has to go', eventually taking over the stage and preventing visitors from being able to speak at the event.

Pinkwashing is the term used to describe the alleged efforts by the Israel government to cover up treatment of Palestinians by celebrating its record on gay rights.

Views on events on social media such as Facebook and Twitter seem to be divided, with some members of the LGBT+ community supporting the Dyke March's decision to remove members of the Jewish community from the event, whilst others have condemned it as an act of anti-semetism.


Go to Amy's Blog

Friday 23 June 2017

Everything Left Episode 15 - Coalition of Chaos


In this episode I'm joined by Adi Anhang as we discuss the results of the UK election, terror attacks, a racist mother and the Grenfell disaster.




Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
Acast: http://www.acast.com/everythingleft
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com
Blogger: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.blogspot.co.uk


Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music


Now a part of the Black Hole Media Network www.facebook.com/blackhmedia


Donate here to support those affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire: http://artistsforgrenfell.com

Friday 9 June 2017

Everything Left Episode 14 - Cannibal Murder Pope


In this episode I'm joined by Pete Gaskell and Adi Anhang as we discuss Trump's visit to the Middle East, the horrors of the Manchester bomb attack, the UK General Election and the upcoming Wonder Woman film.



Twitter: @_EverythingLeft
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EverythingLeftPodcast
Acast: http://www.acast.com/everythingleft
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/everything-left-podcast/id1159488919?mt=2
Worpress: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.wordpress.com
Blogger: http://www.everythingleftpodcast.blogspot.co.uk


Everything Left is a Trans-Scribe Production
Hosted by Amy Walker
Theme music http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music