Judge Nerdd: Dragon Age: Redemption

A red-headed Elf? Hot.

Anyone who knows me relatively well knows my love of all things Dragon Age as well as staring at Felicia Day in any media format. When Bioware decided to bring Day into the Dragon Age world via an original web-series, I just about went insane with nerdy-glee. Felicia Day as an Elf-assassin? YES PLEASE!

After months of waiting, the first episode of Dragon Age: Redemption has finally arrived, timed to release with the Mark of the Assassin DLC for Dragon Age II, in which Day's character Tallis is also prominently featured. As a Elf enslaved by the Qunari, a race of grey giants, Tallis is sent on a mission to recover a mage (a magically endowed individual, for those of you who don't speak RPG), a dangerous and exploitable commodity in the Dragon Age realm. She runs into a loud-mouthed warrior and a good-lookin' Templar (mage hunter, employed by the church) and the plot thickens...



First of all, Redemption has a well-rounded cast for a low-budget web-series, but it still looks like a low-budget web-series. It has its qualities, but the camera-work needs well, work. They still take too long drawing focus on the simple stunts that they think are going to look impressive. When you give us time to look at a mediocre or non-involved stunt, we can recognize it as such.

With long-time hard-ass Greg Collins as the axe-wielding Brom and Doug Jones (of Pans Labyrinth/Silver Surfer/Abe Sapien fame) as the Qunari mage Saarebas, I've at least SEEN the actors before. The sets and costumes are fitting enough for the Dragon Age setting and experience, but aren't overly impressive on anyone besides Day. (Who looks really hot in it, by the way.) I'm also not sure how I feel about the Qunari's look at this point. As far as the weaponry goes, I wasn't buying it. Brom's axe looked incredibly fake and the CG-work on the blood... looked like a video game. The fight choreography is well-executed, but not every actor looks at ease with their equipment. (Looking at you Adam Rayner.)

After only one episode, I'm very mixed on Redemption. I really enjoy Felicia Day's work, but she could be a little looser and more creative with character choices. Still, she's the strong point of a series that hasn't really hit the ground running. It surely has time to recover, but it needs to quickly distinguish itself from fan-made films.

Judge Nerdd has spoken. I AM THE LAW!

Judge Nerdd: Breaking Down The Avengers Trailer

After the teaser that was shown at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger, comic book nerds around the globe have been frothing at the mouth for more footage from The Avengers. That desire was satiated slightly with Marvel's release of the official trailer.

Below is the YouTube link, but you can also go an download/view the trailer on good ole iTunes.



First of all: OMFG. I absolutely CANNOT wait for the summer of 2012. If the world ends before I can witness the amazeballs that The Avengers will be, I will die an extremely unhappy boy.

All of that being said, it is possible for Judge Nerdd to nit-pick as well. Here are some of my highlights and questions regarding the trailer:

-Looks to be plenty of in-fighting among the group, akin to The Ultimates storyline. I would also tend to believe Loki plays a small role in turning some of the team against each other at certain points in the film, being the god of mischief and all. I mean, Thor taking a vicious air-bound swing at Cap probably wouldn't be a normal reaction.

-Robert Downey Jr. will be on full display. The clear headliner, Downey's Tony Stark will likely steal the show from his costumed counterparts. I have full confidence in the entire cast, but RDJ won't be passed over.

-Would it kill Marvel to give me a little more Hawkeye? I am beyond pumped for Jeremy Renner's arrow-equipped marksman, but have yet to get enough of him in any of his appearances. Along with Black Widow and Captain America, he's going to take direct orders from Samuel L. Jackson and SHIELD, which could cause friction with the God of Thunder and the Man of Iron, neither of whom take direction well.

-And this may be the girliest of all my gripes, but what the hell happened to Thor's hair? He's been hanging out in Asgard so long that he finally switched stylists? It was clean in his own flick, but for some reason it needs to be slightly wavier and more tussled about when he's on a team.

-I love ending it with a glimpse of the Hulk. Whatever triggered his rage, you can be sure the Hulk is going to present a problem that the Avengers may have to solve at some point.

With all the set-up and back-story provided by the FIVE movies that preceded it, The Avengers won't need to waste any time getting into the action, which is exactly what this trailer showcases. I'm all in. You should be too.

Judge Nerdd has spoken! I AM THE LAW!