Simple Guide to Comic Books for Newbies

 

So young padawan, you have decided for whatever reason there is that you want to know more about the world of comic books? Saw one of the latest superhero movie and thought ” man, I’d like to know more about that guy!”? Well, congratulation first of all on seeing the light, I promise you won’t regret the ride.

 

With so many superhero movies coming out in the next few months, like Captain America: The Winter Soldier who just came out about a week ago, X-Men: Days of Future Past ( I might cry and faint in the theater, that’s how big of a nerd I am), and Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s the perfect time to start looking at their comics.

Yes? what is it? You tried by yourself to look at a few comics and it didn’t end well? You felt overwhelmed, lost in the sea of series, characters and publishers?

Sit down you poor soul, and take some notes because this guide is exactly for you then. With the help of various comic books lovers and experts, and with my humble knowledge, I put together a simple and easy guide full of pointers to make your experience enjoyable.

 

Hold on to you tights and cape, and Allons-y!

 

A Trip Back in Time: Looking Back at Hollywood’s Great Ones

Today we take a look at an unlikely collaboration, as a young and unknown 23 year-old director was making his debut in television, and a well-known Hollywood’s femme fatale came together for Rod Serling.

Here’s a look at The Night Gallery‘s Pilot;  EYES.

I went to an Imagine Dragons concert, and all I got was this lousy review!

I have been known among my friends to be the one with the questionable music taste. Apparently my iPod  is the constant go to if everyone wants to have a good laugh, as it range from Vivaldi, to the Backstreet Boys, passing by movie soundtracks and obscure Indie Rock. And of course let’s not forget my shameful love for early 2000’s bands.

The newest source of their laughter these days has been my growing love for the Las Vegas band Imagine Dragons.

Be Careful, You are not in Wonderland

Killing Your Darlings Movie Review

By Alex Giubelli

The life of writers and poets is often more than not a complicated and tormented one. Complicated seems to be something they dwell in, and even find comfort in it in a world where they don’t always fit in with their revolutionary ideas.

Complicated.

Just like a relationship status, Killing your Darlings takes complicated in every sense of the word, and twist it around in a tale between reality and fiction.

The tale starts with a young and naïve 19 year-old Allen Ginsberg, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, as he makes his way to Columbia University in the mid 40’s, all star-struck and optimistic.

His fascination soon wears off as he finds himself constricted by the rules and conformism of the time that his teachers expect of him.

And this is where complicated starts.

Snickerdoodle Blondies

So I’ve been back from France for about two weeks now, and now more than ever I just want to bake all the time! Everyday I’m cooking or baking something for dinner, which doesn’t bother the other living creatures of the house as they all have a sweet tooth!

I promise I’ll get it done and will make a master post of my journey to the Cannes Festival! I have some amazing pictures and fantastic stories to share. I have been very lazy ( I’m blaming it all on the summer vacations. All I want to do now is eat, play some video games, and just bake). Also, I promise some good movie reviews from what was screened over there, and a lot ( I’ll try to contain myself) of squealing over British actor Tom Hiddleston.

Now back to the Snickerdoodle! Ok, I have to admit the only reason I wanted to do that recipes at first is because I just love the name so much! I had never heard of it before and I told myself on this sunny day, hey why not give it a try! I found this recipe on the wonderful cooking blog of Tracy’s Culinary Adventures. I seriously vouch by this blog, the recipes on it are just FANTASTIC, and I was not disappointed with any of them so far!

I swear to you on my honor of semi-professional food critic that those snickerdoodle are just divine! A crispy topping due to the sugar and cinnamon, but a very chewy and tasty inside. You can perfectly taste the cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla without being overwhelmed by one. It is a perfect mix of all the flavours! I should go and get a piece before at the creatures living with me finish them!

I also promise ( wow that’s a lot of promises going on here) that I will try to upgrade my way of taking pictures for next time I post a recipe. I do have a nice camera sitting right here, so I’ll put it to use next time!

– Alex

On to the recipe for those interested to make them!

Taken from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures:

Taken from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures

Snickerdoodle Blondies
as seen on Brown Eyed Baker (originally from Dozen Flours, I think)

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and stopping to scrape the bowl as necessary.  Beat in the vanilla.  With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until combined.  Stir the dough one final time with a rubber spatula to ensure any flour on the bottom of the bowl is incorporated.

Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan.  Spread in an even layer – I like to use my fingertips to spread the dough.  I just put a piece of plastic wrap between my fingers and the the dough so it won’t be too sticky.  Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the surface of the blondies springs back when gently pressed.  Remove the pan to a wire rack and let the blondies cool completely before cutting.

France, Oh sweet France here I come

As of Tomorrow, I will be on my way to Cannes for the Festival. I know, I know lucky me, but it isn’t all fun and game! Some work has to be done in between the beach and delicious croissant!

I will try for the duration of the Festival to add a daily post about what is going on over there, so please keep an eye out for that.

-Alex Giubelli

The British are coming! The British are coming!

By Alex Giubelli

Sunday February 9, 1964. On that date, at eight o’clock sharp, more than 73 million people, mostly young ladies, eagerly sat in front of their black and white television set waiting for the popular Ed Sullivan Show to begin. As the curtains went up, and four young man with identical haircuts and suits appeared on stage, the sold out crowd went wild. The Beatles had just made their very first appearance ever in the United States, putting in motion a phenomenon never seen before in North America.

The Beatles with host Ed Sullivan in 1964

That phenomenon was given the name of British Invasion. It started out in the mid 60’s, when rock and pop bands from the U.K. were becoming more and more popular in the U.S. By 1965, nine of the top 10 songs of the Billboard Hot 100 were from British artists, and 50 out of the 100 were also British.

This phenomenon didn’t simply happen in the music industry. In 1962, the beginning of the James Bond series with Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery gave an extra boost to everything British. Also, Mary Poppins starring British actress Julie Andrews was released in 1964, becoming the most Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated Disney movie in history. In the fashion world, the ‘mod’ look became extremely popular in the U.S., promoted by international supermodels like Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton.

Twiggy