Da Vinci's Demons: A New Look Into The Man Who Defined The Renaissance

            Leonardo Da Vinci, known throughout the world as one of the greatest minds in human history, along with being the most revered person during the renaissance. His genius and intellect spread to numerous interests including painting, sculpting, architecture, mathematics, Engineer, inventor, and geologist. He has been portrayed in various other forms of media including Assassins Creed II and its sequel, Assassins Creed Brotherhood, where he made equipment for the games main character. In the Starz TV series, Da Vinci’s Demons, elevates Leonardo Da Vinci from supporting character to full-fledged action hero, who uses his superior thinking to overcome any obstacle.

            The series portrays Leonardo Da Vinci, Played by Tom Riley, when he lived in the city of Florence and was busy working as a painter as well as an inventor. The show mainly focuses on not only Da Vinci’s life but the political and social happenings surrounding the renaissance. The episode features such powerful figures of the renaissance such as Pope Sixtus IV who seems to be concerned with Leonardo. This is due to Leonardo being contracted by the Medici family to rival the Vatican’s growing power in Italy. During this time Italy was divided with numerous kingdoms and city-states fighting for power including Florence, Venice, and the Vatican.

            The scenery of the sets and the city itself are stunning with great CG affects that make Florence come to life. In my honest opinion, the show resembles the video game Assassins Creed II with so many famous landmarks that can be seen throughout the show. The programs portrayal of Da Vinci’s thought process itself is incredible as it just doesn’t reveal the genius but also sometimes the madness that people like Da Vinci inspire from. There are many people that describe him as a heretic or as deviant, but that what makes him so unlike any other person at the time. Though the greatest quality was not letting this stop him from expanding his knowledge to point where he far beyond his time and it’s still hard to fathom what he was capable of.

            As a character Leonardo, is quite similar in many aspects but different in other compared to other forms of media. Such as in Assassins Creed II and Brotherhood, where Leonardo is often doing numerous tasks at once while helping the Main Character. Now that he has become the Main Protagonist, he uses his understanding of the current situation to be able to take action. His willingness to fight a battle, regardless of the circumstances, is impressive and shows that one must use his mind to overcome any obstacle set forth. Leonardo himself, I feel, is a combination of numerous qualities that can be seen regularly in television shows, movies, and video games.  This includes Doctors Who’s, Jack Harkness’s willingness to fight and sexual appetite, Tony Stark’s superior intelligence, inventive skill and flash, even The Doctors ability to analyze any scenario. Da Vinci’s Demons is quite the conspiracy laden program that draws viewers deeper into the plot and also offers the action, sex, and drunken debauchery that we all enjoy to watch.

Kickstarting The Generation Nerd into gear

Seeing all the Kick Start projects cropping up around the internet.  I am thinking of doing something similar for this site.

What Kick Start is.

It is a site that allows you to set up an account completely dedicated to taking donations to get you to a set limit so you can effectively run your project.  It is all donation based and money gained is used to better the project and nothing else.  People who start Kick Starts usually give a list of things of what the money will go to if they reach their desired limits and benefits they can feasibly dole out to their supporters.

Before I fully consider this Kick Start Idea.  I want to finish putting together a team of  contributors and future Podcast hosts for the site. 

Let me know what you think in the comment section and remember to geek out.

New Who and The Count Down to the 50th

March 30th 2013 marked the return of Doctor Who to BBC.  The Bells of Saint John was an amazing episode.  The kick of to the second half of Series Seven was amazing.  The Doctor has had his down time he has mourned the lose of the ponds but like any other addict..... he has replaced his addiction to Amy with the new girl Clara Oswald the twice dead girl.  Interesting fact about the character of Clara.  Clara's birthday is the same day as the anniversary date. And her second death date to her second birthdate makes her exactly as old as Doctor Who was when it was initially cancelled (1989 -1963 = 26).  Could Steven Moffet be trolling us again.  Moffet does tend to get off on trolling his viewers just to let you know :) .

March's Count Down to the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who brought us the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) His start and the following episode.  Three was a more action based Doctor than his predecessors he was as Steve Moffet describes him A James Bondized Doctor. Meaning he was very tech heavy and not past getting his hands dirty in a fight showing off martial skills not present in the prior doctors.  Three for those of you who do not know, was trapped on earth by the Time Lords following a Trial on Gallifrey where the Doctor was forced to Regenerate to pay for his crime of breaking the first law (Not meddling in the affairs of other races as it could rewrite their histories.).  Three was partnered with U.N.I.T an earth based group tasked with defending the earth.  Much like Torchwood but more military based in order and structure.

This month in April.  Be prepared for Tom Baker as the 4th Doctor and one of his specials :)

Edit as news is becoming more and more clear for the 50th anniversary

David Tennant has been confirmed as a guest star for the 50th Anniversary, him and 9 and 10's companion Rose has also been confirmed.  Rumors still circulate that nine will be there as will eight.  I am so hoping eight comes along for the ride

From the Doctor Who Facebook Page Tennant and Smith After wrapping up the script reading for the 50th Anniversary

Night of Metal Pt. 2

            On March 6^th, I went to another concert in Allentown this time it was Demon Hunter as the opener and In Flames was the Headliner. Before the concert even began there was a mishap with the venue Crocodile Rock, since they had lost their liquor license, bands have been changing venues left and right. They would only refund one ticket out the two a friend of mine bought, which I believe now the police are involved. It is not looking good for Croc Rock, but that place was in a decrepit state and the new place, Main Gate Night Club was incredible. First and foremost they had a bar area and had a full staff of bouncers, police officers, and security to keep everyone inline.

           The Concert from the beginning was awesome with a much better layout and sound system than Croc Rock. When Demon Hunter began the place came to life and they really surprised me since I have not heard them before. They are a different metal style than I usually listen too but, they put on an amazing performance and the crowd really got into it. After a few songs the mosh pit started up and you could just feel the raw power behind the music and people were acting insane. Though I am not one to listen to many Christian Metal bands, Demon Hunter drew my interest and they certainly are very metal.

            When it came time for In Flames to close out the show, the place was packed with people there was barely any room to breathe. Though it must have been a sight for so many Metal heads to be in a night club, but it was a lot better than the Shadows Fall and Hatebreed at Croc Rock. As soon as In Flames began the whole audience started into an all-out mosh pit and I was at the edge of a wall trying to brace myself. Out all the concerts I have been too I have never seen the entire audience become a mosh pit from all sides. In Flames was incredible with so many great songs and the crowd began singing it while fighting in the pit, it was unbelievable sight.

            At one point the Andres Friden, the lead singer, brought a fan on stage and the guy then taped the concert with his phone, you’ll never see that anywhere else. When they started playing The Mirrors Truth that sealed my night and it I felt like metal enlightenment, I could not think of a better way to describe it. This concert was just incredible with so many great bands and great people who I went with, this shot up to my Number three concert behind Eluveitie with Children of Bodom at Number two and AC/DC at Number one. Granted AC/DC is a lot different than all these other bands but they put on a show like no one else, giant inflatable lady tapping her foot to Whole Lotta Rosie What bad does that. I cannot wait to see these guys again and I have to rate this concert 9.5/10, if you can go see In Flames and Demon Hunter it’s worth it, Keep on Head banging \m/, 

Waiting on News

As of right now I am currently waiting to see when the AnimeNext Convention In Somerset NJ will be releasing information on Press Registration.  Which means I would or any of the contributors who would want to go.  Would go for all 3 days free (USUALLY) as is the case with a Press Pass to Conventions and it would give us access to panels and such like that.  But a few factors will be determined.

1. Our work schedules
2. Can we and do we want to go
4. Travel Arrangements
5. Sleeping arrangements (if need be)
6. Money
7. Should we fund raise to get a working budget to send contributors to cons.
8. why was there no number 3.
9. you just went to check didn't you
10.  HELP US WITH A DECISION

Night of Metal

            There is no doubt in my mind that metal is alive in well, I just attended a concert at crocodile rock in Allentown PA. The bands; The Contortionist, Dying Fetus, Shadows Fall, and Hatebreed all put on a fantastic show. Crocodile rock is a smaller venue in comparison to other places I have been, but it offered a lot, except there was no alcohol served in previous times. Side note I don’t condone and drinking and driving its irresponsible and dangerous, please be safe. Continuing on, the place offers great food and a great atmosphere which compared to most places lack in one way or another. If given the opportunity, Crocodile Rock is definitely a venue to go see I recommend it.

            The first band, The Contortionist, was really interesting; there were a very different style of metal than what I’m used to. The crowd though didn’t really get into it as much as the later bands, but there were a few people having fun with it. There songs were good and they did well, but it still wasn’t the best of the night. The next band was Dying Fetus, which was very interesting from the get go. As soon as the band started, the mosh pit just erupted and people were going at it immediately. The band had been using two lead singers that alternated which is something that I have not seen in other bands. It was really interesting experience, since this too is a form of metal I have not listen too very often either.

            The best part for me at least was Shadows Fall, which put on an amazing show in my mind compared to the others. The crowd this time around was really into it with a large mosh pit forming right next to where I was standing. This was the first time I have ever been involved in any way with a mosh pit with people knocking into people and being forced into as I was trying to listen to the band. I constantly had to watch the pit to see if anyone was coming right for me and I had my guard up constantly. I did have fun though and my friend with me was all over place as she went crowd surfing and went into the mosh pit.

            When Hatebreed came on, it was intense with people crowding in like cattle at a ranch; it was hard to even move. This time people went overboard with the pit and numerous times security had to come and physically persuade people to leave. It was very scary at times with so many people going insane to the point where the lead singer asked people to stop fighting, which I have been told is a common occurrence at Hatebreed concerts. The Concert was incredible with so many good bands playing and a lot nice people there. My next concert will be on March 6^th, With In Flames and Demon Hunter playing once again at Crocodile rock.

The return of The Fictional Character Fiction Fights

The Combatants

The Joker:  Chemically whitened skin and a face with a permanent grin, the joker comes off as unimposing and seemingly physically weak.  (Though this varies from writer to writer as even DC cannot get the character’s origin straight).   He has been known to employ weapons of his own making usually in the form of deadly prop weapons.  Highly intelligent in both Chemistry and Engineering the Joker is wild (haha see what I did there poker joke)……..  But in all seriousness, the Joker is not someone to fuck with.  Immune to poison due to his own work with poison and his constant abuse of it, he is even immune to his own poison which makes its victims laugh to death and die with a grin on their face.  It is believed that the joker has what is known as “Super Sanity” this is a condition either from extreme trauma or lack of knowing what is truly real.  It is a constant reinventing of oneself to suit what the joker needs for the day (as displayed in The Dark Knight’s Joker Portrayed by Heath Ledger when the joker tells varying stories on “How he got these scars”).  And to his credit the Joker has been known to put together some deviously cruel plans that make even fans of the Joker cringe (case and point, Barbara Gordon’s origin of how she became Oracle).

Kefka Palazzo :  Magitek Elite and General of the Gestahl Empire.  The man is a Psychopath and a nihilist, these two form into some of the most memorable and horrific scenes in a Final Fantasy Game.  He employs tactics that would and have made other generals in the empire cringe.  Having poisoned the water in the city of Doma in order to weaken forces in order to easier siege and destroy the forces he faced.  But he does not stop there.  Oh no oh no he gets worse.  Later in the game after they reach the home of the Warring Triad Espers and with their power he kills the emperor and reshapes the world and becomes the god of the ruined world he has created.  How do you talk to a man who has never loved, never believed in love?  How do you talk to a man who has never had friends, never tried to be friends with anyone?  His only driving ambition is to watch the world burn and destroy everything.

THE FIELD OF BATTLE:

The battle comes each sending out lackies of their own.  Harley Quinn the Joker’s deranged lover willingly takes the field to defend her puddin from the military forces of Kefka.  Armed to the teeth with joker’s weapons and spraying joker’s deadly gas into the mess of men and men riding Magitek Armor.  To aid Harley is joker’s numerous cronies who are either too afraid to fight back against the joker or are trying to get in good with the clown prince of crime.  Guns, explosives deaths on both sides, Harley and the cronies eventually will over power the forces of the former Gestahl empire.   The joker dressed in military garb to suit the mood, will stride out to meet the clown general Kefka.  The two wax political and laugh at each other and the losses of their worn and tired troops.  Neither one will be able to get a word in edge wise on the other.  The two clowns will fight each not gaining an upper hand despite magic and other seemingly cheap tactics the other can throw at each other.  The two will fight off and on until they decide that their evil genius minds can be better suited to conquer than to fight each other.  Too the teams credit they could and probably would end up taking over the world.  But no union is harmonious as neither trusts the other.  With the world now split and both sides having taken armies and generals the world crumbling at their feet as the Kefka and The Joker fight each other into a stalemate.

WINNER:  NO ONE……seriously no one.  This fight is a draw.  Anti-Magic is not beyond the scope of what the Joker can counter.  Immune to poison Kefka cannot hope to poison him.  The two would see the brilliance in the other and work together for a time until they realized that neither would be able to work with the other and the fight would resume with the world suffering as the two fought for supremacy.   When two psychopaths fight no one wins.