Myx TV Announces Program Slate For 2015

 Myx TV, the fastest growing English-language multicultural Asian American entertainment network in the United States, established its 2015 programming slate. The line-up includes new and returning original television series, original YouTube series, new acquisitions and a special Memorial Day weekend programming block.

New this season is, “The Doll Life,” a spinoff of last year’s hit docu-series, “I’m Asian American and …” This series delves into the Japanese “lolita/living doll” clothing brand, Dolldelight, and follows designer Cyril Lumboy and her team of House Dolls throughout their work and personal lives. “The Doll Life” premieres Tuesday, October 20th at 8/7c and is produced by Thirsty Tiger Television.

Returning for the second season are the Myx TV original series “Call to Cosplay,” “Bagged” and “Eat Your Words.” Each series will air a new episode every week.

Previously announced, “Call to Cosplay,” the ultimate cosplay costume design competition show, returned Tuesday, May 12. Host Keith Kawamura returns, along with DJ Wednesday, and judges this season include Miss Universe 1997, Brook Lee, author and stylist, Marissa Lynch and cosplay stars, Johnny Junkers and Lindsay Elyse. “Call to Cosplay” is produced by George Chung.

“Bagged,” the dating show where contestants don masks pitting personality against appearance, returns Thursday, June 25 at 8/7c. “Bagged” is produced by Aureus Grex. 

The award-winning “Eat Your Words,” which challenges amateur food bloggers to cook dishes better than the professional chefs they negatively reviewed online, returns Sunday, August 16 at 8/7c. “Eat Your Words” is hosted by Kara Birkenstock and produced by Thirsty Tiger Television.

"We’re bringing back our most well-received, out-of-the-box, original series and, for the new season, making them bigger and better," said Miguel Santos, General Manager of Myx TV. "Viewers can look forward to better costumes, crazier scenarios, bigger sets and more interesting characters.”

Additionally, Myx TV is beginning production on original series for its YouTube Channel (www.YouTube.com/user/MYXTV). The first of the series will be, “The Alternative,” featuring a spiritual, holistic host who offers insight on various common health conditions and ways to combat them using Eastern medicine and common household items. “The Alternative” is produced by Aureus Grex.

"We need to keep our audience engaged whenever and however they are choosing to tune-in to Myx programming," said Santos. "Developing original productions across platforms is a natural extension to our brand, and something we're looking forward to introducing to our unique and diverse fans.”

Myx TV also acquired Asian horror movies in a new programming block called “Shiver and Shake,” featuring the best films from all across Asia, including:Hide and Go Kill, Tokyo Gore School, Shirome, Karaoke Terror and The Guard Post. “Shiver and Shake” premieres Friday, July 17 at 8/7c.

Additionally, returning for the fifth season is the “Movie So Good” programming block, featuring cult classic martial arts movies all dubbed into English. These films will air Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25, with new movies airing every Monday at 8/7c. Films included in this block are:Undefeatable, Incredible Kids, Kung Fu Fighter, Lethal Combat, Karate Cops, Shaolin vs. Evil Dead, Kung Fu Chefs, Omega Cop and Kindergarten Ninja.

The Mantle #1 (Comic Review)

THE MANTLE follows Robbie—just your average, run-of-the-mill guy—as he drunkenly stumbles out of a punk show one evening. On his way home he’s hit with lightning and wakes to find that he’s been chosen as the new host for The Mantle, a power set of unimaginable scope. Despite his lack of interest, he’s forced into action. The Plague, a being who has spent 50 years killing every previous host of The Mantle, is already coming for him.

The Mantle written by ED Brisson and artwork by Brian Level, is a fun ride that immerses you into the world from the first page. The protagonist Robbie is not one you would qualify as a hero. In fact he is the least likely to be a hero. When we first meet Robbie he's at a party with his girlfriend Jen. The party is horrible so he takes mushroom to spice it up. Robbie doesn't seem to be motivated in anything. No real goals, dreams or aspirations. When he chosen by The Mantle, he changed a little but he acts like a child in a candy store.

The real interesting characters for me was the supporting cast. Robbie's girlfriend Jen, and the group of people who explain The Mantle to Robbie. The group all have powers, Necra can communicate with the dead, Kabrah has amazing strength and Shadow can teleport into any place given if he's in a dark area. Unfortunately the first issue doesn't explore the back story of each character, which was a bummer since I found myself more drawn to them than Robbie. The antagonist The Plague is also an interesting character. He reminded of Nemesis from Resident Evil 3 that has a one track mind. His goal is to destroy The Mantle. It's not fully explain why but the little seeds planted allude to a bigger story arc has my interest. 

Overall The Mantle is a good start to a whole new superhero story. The artwork os great, the characters are interesting. The twist ending shows its not about the person who has the power. 

Final Grade: B+/8.5

The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Trailer

20th Century Fox has released the first trailer for the upcoming film, MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS! In this next chapter of the "Maze Runner" saga, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Check out the trailer below. The film will be released September 18, 2015. ​

Underrated Games: Sly Cooper Series

Underrated Games You Should Play: Sly Cooper Series

This week's underrated game or games is the Sly Cooper Series. I consider this series the kid version of Assassins Creed with a funnier and more lighthearted story than killing Templars. The series begins with three thieves; Sly, the master thief, Bently, the brains, and Murry the muscle. The game follows Sly and his band of thieves trying to steal items that belong to the Clockwork Gang from taking over the world through crime. Think of it as Robin Hood. There are three initial games made by Sucker Punch. It was then that the studio of Sanzaru Games brought the series back with Sly Cooper: Thieves of Time. The studio stayed true to the series and a movie about the infamous game is coming next year. Check out the trailer below.

VIZ Media Announces Home Media Release Of INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT

INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT on High Definition Blu-ray and Standard Edition DVD on May 26th.

INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT is based on the bestselling fantasy adventure manga series (also published by VIZ Media, rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) by famed creator Rumiko Takahashi. The Blu-ray and DVD editions each contain the final 26 episodes of the long running anime show along with select bonus features. Both formats feature English dubbed along with Japanese subtitled dialogue options.

The INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT Blu-ray Edition collects the entire season on 4 discs with episodes presented in full 1080p High Definition, 16x9 video. English and Japanese DTS-HD Audio options are available along with bonus features including production and storyboard art galleries and the original Japanese broadcast trailers. The MSRP is $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN.

The INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT DVD Edition offers series episodes on 4 discs, presented with 16x9 standard video resolution and English and Japanese 2.0 stereo audio. Bonus features include the original Japanese series trailers. The MSRP is $44.82 U.S. / $51.99 CAN.

“INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT delivers the grand finale of Inuyasha and Kagome’s quest to restore the shattered Shikon Jewel,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manager, Animation. “Longtime fans can complete their INUYASHA personal anime complete with the release of THE FINAL ACT on DVD and Blu-ray and witness the epic showdown with the evil demon, Naraku, and discover the long-awaited answer to the ultimate question of Kagome and Inuyasha’s future together!”

In the thrilling conclusion to this famed anime series, Kagome is an ordinary schoolgirl who finds her destiny linked to a hotheaded but brave half demon named Inuyasha and the powerful Shikon Jewel. In their quest to restore the shattered Shikon Jewel, Inuyasha and Kagome face their ultimate enemy, the demon mastermind Naraku. Kagome finds herself pulled between two worlds as she struggles to fight alongside Inuyasha in the feudal era and study for her high school entrance exams in the present. As the battle enters its final stage, Inuyasha and his friends have their strength, loyalties and will to live pushed to the limit. The final key to Naraku's and the Jewel's destruction may lie in nothing more - and nothing less - than the trust between a half demon and a girl from the future. All roads have led here, to one last battle and one final act!

Fans also can explore an array of colorful INUYASHA art books as well as the complete manga series, which is published in North America by VIZ Media, along with the entire anime series and related INUYASHA animated feature films available on DVD.

Lenni Reviews: Desert Rising by Kelly Grant

(Image Source)

This novel introduces twins Sulis and Kadar on their way to the city of Illian from their desert home. Once there, Kadar begins apprenticing as a merchant and his sister Sulis joins the local temple to gods her people don't worship and with people who are prejudiced against those who come from the desert. Spurred on by the legacy of her now deceased mother, Sulis is bonded to a feli; giant sacred cats who help them communicate with their gods, and begins to unravel a conspiracy and oncoming war between the four gods of the temple. The novel also follows Kadar, poised on the brink of revolution with the Forsaken class in the city who are tired of being treated like chattel.

This novel is a marvelous piece of sprawling fantasy. Kelly Grant has solid world building skills and each character is unique and fleshed out in creative ways. Sulis is a great character and an excellent example of a strong female character in a fantasy setting. When she arrives at the temple and she's the outcast, she makes no attempt to hide who she is and what she knows. Her brother, Kadar, and the conflict he gets embroiled in, is thankfully as interesting as Sulis' so when you're switched between them, you stay interested in both stories. As the novel goes on, they do intersect in creative ways.

Unfortunately, the novel ends on a cliffhanger. I was flying through this book and while I enjoyed it, I felt I didn't get the pay off I wanted from all the build up in the book. I get that this is to get you to buy the second one but since this book isn't due out in paperback until May 26th, 2015, I have the feeling it's going to be a year before I get to see what happens next! Not fair, darnit...

Kelly Grant has a great world going here and I'm anxious to see where it goes. If you like magic, warring gods, and giant cats, you will enjoy this book.

First Look: Supergirl Trailer

Hey O&G Fans here is a look at the Supergirl Trailer. She references Kel-El in her voice over. Wonder if we might see the man of steel in the series. Check out the trailer below:
 

It's not a bird. It's not a plane. It's not a man. It's Supergirl. In the new drama from the world of DC Comics, Superman's cousin, Kara Zor-El, embraces her superhuman abilities and becomes the hero she was always meant to be. This Fall on CBS.