Paw Patrol!

Nick Jr. has another smash hit on its hands and this time, it's called Rescue Pets...I mean Paw Patrol!  So I was having one of those lazy days and I was flipping through the channels on cable and I stumble onto a kid and his six puppies helping people.  Which if I was in trouble and puppies saved me...this might be a great alternative to actual trained human beings, so hey NSA, I know you're reading this, so pass the puppy patrol idea along to whatever contact you may have.

This show is is great for kids and I didn't mind sitting through it like some of the shows I had to watch back when I taught preschool.  Overall I think this is a show with a fun concept and something that parents can enjoy with their little ones!

Also, it's fair to note that this show is apparently wildly successful, I just saw toys from the show listed on Ebay for over $100...those are some expensive plastic puppies!

So enjoy the show everyone!  (At least it's better than Bubble Guppies) 

Sense8 Scrambles Your Brain. In A Good Way!

Just like most of the world has been, I've been intrigued by Sense8 since I first saw a preview a few months back.  The creative force know as The Wachowskis (The Matrix) have joined forces with the new face of television: Netflix, to bring this sensory overload (no pun intended) straight to your computer, gaming console, tablet, or smartphone.  (I should probably work for Netflix's marketing team.)

So I'm currently typing this just after finishing the fourth episode of the season.  And I have to say one thing, this show so far is fantastic!  It leaves you guessing and sitting on the edge of your seat.  Also, if you have popcorn, make it and munch because this is a camp and enjoy series. 

The series focuses on 8 strangers who become mentally linked to each other out of nowhere.  The mysteries grow as the experience: out of body sensations, random emotions, unexplained visions, and various random abilities.  You see the characters discover, question and learn.  But there's something that gravitates you to all these characters (it's not just the extraordinary acting) and that thing is seeing all these people deal with true, real life situations.  You relate to these characters because they have real life struggles and dilemmas that coincide with this phenomenon that is happening.

The show also has very progressive storylines and characters who explore and comment on subjects like race, gender, self-identity, sexuality and personal discovery.  Nomi (pictures above, right) is trans woman who struggled finding her happiness due to her family.  Happiness does come in the form of her girlfriend Amanita, the bond between the two is strong and is portrayed brilliantly by the two actresses.

My favorite characters by far though have to be the three pictured above.  Lito (left) is a famous Mexican actor, who hides his boyfriend Hernando (right) from the public to protect his career.  He has a pseudo relationship with Daniela (middle) who is basically his beard.  The scene pictured above where she learns of Lito's boyfriend has me rolling on the floor, it was perfection at its finest.

In addition to its brilliant cast, the show so far has kept my attention, which is hard to do, because I am a bit of a scatter-brain. 

So, if you're looking for captivating, entertaining television then you've got yourself the perfect show in Sense8.  What you need to do next with your life is: log into Neflix, sit your butt down, and get to watching.  You're not gonna regret it!

(Also, I hope you like 4 Non Blondes)

Which NXT Start Is Next?!

If you haven't heard yet, NXT is the hottest thing going in professional wrestling right now.  If you mention professional wrestling then odds are that the letters N-X-T are going to be coming out of your mouth sooner rather than later.  With all talks geared towards WWE's developmental system, the question remains: Which stars are headed up to the main roster next?  Here are my pics!

5. Tyler Breeze

Prince Pretty's here.  Tyler Breeze is one character you can't help but like in NXT.  A model that is billed from a different seasonal residence in every match, Breeze makes his way to the ring holding a phone out in front and taking a selfie.  The thing that sets Breeze apart from other wrestlers with cheesy gimmicks that Breeze has the in-ring skills to back it up.  It won't be long before Breeze sets his sights on the main roster, but maybe he'll pick up the NXT Championship first, I mean cause hey, it's a great accessory!

4. Sasha Banks

The Boss of NXT has proved time and time again that she's The Boss for a reason.  After forging her own path after former leader Summer Rae's departure to the main roster, Banks has shown the world that she is a force to be reckoned with.  Currently holding the NXT Women's Championship (which is way more relevant than the WWE Divas Championship in my opinion) Sasha Banks has shown she's one of the best women's wrestlers in the world.  Her battles with former champion Charlotte and her most recent bout with Becky Lynch at NXT: Unstoppable have show that Banks is here to stay and a main roster debut can't be too far away.

3. Sami Zayn

One of the biggest fan favorites in NXT, Sami Zayn skanks his way out to the ring as the resident wrestling ska kid.  Recently Zayn has been battling with long time friend and current arch nemesis: Kevin Owens.  Sami made a main roster appearance, accepting John Cena's United States Championship open challenge a few weeks back.  Currently he's out with injury after Owens' nailed him with a pop up powerbomb to the ring apron.  But with Owens now causing a scene on the main roster, you can bet that Zayn is not too far behind.

2. Finn Balor

There aren't too many superstars that can silence an arena during their entrance.  Balor has the ability to do that and then keep that audience because his in-ring skills are just as impressive.  From his top-rope double stomp to the dropkick in the corner, Balor is a wrestling machine that can't be stopped.  I need to go back to talking about the corner drop kick because it is one of the most intense moves in my opinion.  It's one of the most exciting and painful looking things I've ever seen.  I see Balor making the move to the main roster sooner rather than later.  But when he makes that jump, the demon is gonna make an entrance you won't soon forget!

1. Charlotte

Wooooo!!  The daughter of the one and only "Nature Boy" Ric Flair has proved she has the tools to make just as big of an impact in wrestling as her father.  Charlotte is a natural athlete and full proof that sometimes it's just in your genes.  Charlotte has shown she is dominant force in the women's division, defeating the likes of Natalya, Emma, and Alicia Fox from the main roster, as well as putting a beating on the NXT Divas like Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Bayley.  Charlotte wins matches with her dad's Figure 4 Leg Lock, but she kicks it up a notch, adding a bridge and calling it the Figure 8.  Charlotte's skills and pedigree, lead to her making a debut on the main roster sooner rather than later.  I'm betting we see her next time RAW rolls into The Queen City Charlotte, NC.  (We need Charlotte Vs Paige soon!)

Daredevil: Blind Superhero Has Netflix Seeing Stars

Thank you to Netflix and Drew Goddard for bringing Daredevil to the masses!  This show is freaking amazing and literally glued me to the tube like it was sponsored by Elmer's.  (Also Drew Goddard gets points for having his name make me think of Jimmy Neutron.)

(WARNING: SPOILERS MAY COME AT ANY TIME.  I WRITE IT AS I GO ALONG)

Daredevil the character first appeared in his self-titled comic in 1964.  Since that time the character has become a staple in the Marvel Universe and even had his own movie in 2003 starring Ben Afleck.  While I personally didn't care for the movie, the new original series on Netflix has put a fresh spin on the character and it's certainly for the better.

Charlie Cox brings to life Matt Murdock, lawyer by day, and masked vigilante by night.  Cox is really able to capture the essence of Murdock, a character that's been hardened by life, but yet still has a caring/vulnerable side.  Murdock uses the power of his other senses to help himself defeat the thugs/criminals/bad guys that plague Hells Kitchen, a city that Murdock will do anything to help restore order to.

(Charlie Cox brings the blind vigilante to life on screen.  The above photo was snapped as he told Jimmy Fallon about how tight the suit actually is.)

Cox is joined in the series by an amazing cast of characters and actors alike:

Deborah Ann Woll plays Karen Page.  A strong and determined young woman who ends up snooping into a company's files while working as a secretary.  When she stumbles across some secret company files, that is when she finds herself in hot water.  After a few attempted murders, Karen finds safe-haven with Murdock & Nelson, her lawyers, then begins working at their firm.  She's inquisitive and still wants to bring down the company bullies and figure out who the man in the mask is that saved her life.  Woll, before know for her stint on True Blood, does a great job of playing the "inquisitive girl" that has pretty much become a staple for any superhero franchise.

Eldon Henson brings to life Matt Murdock's best friend and law partner, Foggy Nelson.  Foggy is a full on definition of adorkable.  The thing I find the most endearing about Foggy is that time and time again in the series you get to see him play the lawyer that has a heart.  (And he's really frakkin good at it)  Foggy is constantly struggling to prove himself, in law and in life.  The thing I like about Foggy is he's so much more than just a loveable sidekick or the funny punchline.  Foggy actually brings something to the plot and he and Karen need to get together...like now.  

Well hey there Rosario Dawson!  I have to admit that I was a little taken back when I saw Rosario pop up as Claire Temple.  Claire came out of nowhere in the series, she was good samaritan that helped patch up Murdock the masked man after he was found in a dumpster.  She ends up finding a budding relationship with the man that she constantly revives and stitches, but in one episode in particular, Claire finds out that she might not want to be mixed up in this craziness after all.

Vincent D'Onofrio is pictured above.  Watch the series and it's entirely possible not to recognize him as Wilson Fisk.  (He's Kingpin, can we just call him Kingpin already?!)  (Also, did you know he plays the guy that gets turned into the creepy alien in Men In Black?)  Wilson Fisk is the ultimate crime boss, he controls the police, the media, the mob, the drug lords, even the senator; you name them, Fisk as ties with them.  Fisk is attempting to do the same thing Murdock is, he wants to make the city better.  Fisk's idea of a better city though is tearing it down and rebuilding it from scratch into what can basically be called his ideal crime paradise.  D'Onofrio captures every bit of rage that comes from Fisk's mouth and mind.  Honestly, I'm terrified of them both!

Overall this series is a goldmine of entertainment.  It's got the superhero element, but it's also pretty dang violent, it's definitely cornered the niche of an adult comic book drama.  The first season is also an amazing origin piece and actually goes deep down into showing you what drives this characters and what makes their brain tick.  It's full on brilliant!  There's a reason the show is now the highest rated show on Netflix!  

In addition to Daredevil, Marvel has announced three other shows that are to come from the partnership with Netflix.  I'm stoked to hear about this as a comic fan because it's bringing in characters from all over the Marvel Universe and attaching them to the cinematic universe.  With shows like this on Netflix and shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Agent Carter on ABC, we're now getting flooded with different shows that all push one giants storyline!  It's amazing and I can't get enough!  Keep it coming!