Game of Thrones does this really incredible thing every week in which things appear to be at their worst. It feels like at any moment the kettle is going to boil over and everything will burst into flames. The amazing thing is that it doesn’t. The scary thing is, is that it’s still going to get worst. It’s unrelenting. With this episode everyone is gearing up for war. The “green” Robb Stark is stepping up to the plate for his father’s honor, the Lannisters are eager to defend their title, the Dothraki have no choice but to follow Drogo across the sea, and it appears that an unholy army is massing north of the Wall. I’ve read the first two books in the series and all of this still excites the hell out of me.

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I knew Lucas wouldn’t play us like that. I knew the prequels weren’t his doing. This video is blowing up right now because it’s true. This is what happened.

In all seriousness, this is cute, funny stuff and reinforces that amongst all the hate and cynicism, Star Wars fans are the best. WE are the best. Revenge of the Sith came out six years ago. That fact is enough to confirm that if Lucas didn’t have an unbreakable sense of humor, he would have committed suicide by now.

RIP King Robert – you were a whoring drunk whose death seemed rather pathetic. But we’re not stupid. You weren’t just gutted by a boar. We know foul play when we see it. You were fed drugged wine by your squire, Lancel Lannister. You’re dead now, though. Something a lot of people have been eagerly waiting for: your wife Cersei, you “son” Joffrey, and your brothers Renly and Stannis. The problem is that all of these people feel entitled to the throne (while the real heir works as a blacksmith’s apprentice) and civil war is about to break out any moment. Martin didn’t choose the title of his book because it sounded pretty.

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While you’ll see “from the producers of Shaun of the Dead” printed on the adverts for Attack of the Block (along with Nick Frost’s schlubby face), Atb is in another league of genre-bending film exported from Britain. What makes AtB shine brighter than other Edgar Wright productions is that it takes its location, characters, and the invasion genre very seriously. It turns increasingly grim later in the film as the stakes are raised. And it works on every level. Bathed in attitude, rapid-fast chav slang, and plenty of humor, it’s an utterly confident debut from director Joe Cornish.

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So long, Viserys. I’m glad to see that in the end you finally got that crown you were constantly whining about. You have to admit though, Viserys went from being a total prick when we first met him to just plain pathetic right before they pour gold all over his head. I wouldn’t call it tragic, but he’s been told since he was five years old that the he would be king – a “dragon.” Watching a crowd chant the name of his sister’s unborn prince – Rhaego – was his tipping point. Ah, well. The crowning scene was beautifully brutal nonetheless.

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More than any other episode thus far, “The Wolf and the Lion” feature moments that did not occur in the book. While some fans may turn their nose up at this, I think it’s been the only way to present some of the character backgrounds and relationships penned by George R.R. Martin. Writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have been doing an excellent job at adapting Martin’s rich tomes and this episode prominently displays their understanding of the material. The great scene between Robert and Cersei is a perfect example of this. It never happens in the books, but it makes sense on the screen and allows newbie viewers a deep look into how things work in the Seven Kingdoms.

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One of the most original and exciting sci-fi flicks of the past five years was directed by a man named Nacho. I speak of 2007’s Timecrimes and finally, after four years, Nacho Vigalondo is returning with Extraterrestrial. The first teaser poster is here and it has us asking “WTF is up with the tennis ball?”

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The folks at Art of the Title interviewed Angus Wall of Elastic, the creative group that designed the incredible cartographic orgasm that is the Game of Thrones title sequence – as well as several other HBO intros. Check out the interview here.

The first trailer for the Fright Night remake is here and it’s like watching the entire movie. Interestingly enough, the trailer shows everything except David Tennant as Criss Angel-ish illusionist Peter Vincent and Evil Ed turning into a vampire. Evil Ed’s final scene in the original always made me cry 🙁

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The U.S. mass-market paperback copies of George R.R. Martin’s “Song of Ice and Fire” series are seriously lame. My copy of book two, “A Clash of Kings,” is a generic crown on a solid purple background. No effort. No direwolves. Just bore-ing sigils.

Publishers in Japan know what’s up. They know Martin’s epic series warrants equally epic covers. Here’s a gallery of select editions in all their illustrated beauty. Check out how wicked Tyrion looks on these bitches. (via)

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