August Episode of So Here’s What Happened! picks up with LaNeysha and Carolyn diving into discussion and review everything they watched and read during the month. The August episode of the podcast features Dark Blood #1, Fear the Walking Dead, D.P., Candy Man, Ten Months and Raging Fire.
Featured books for this episode: Dark Blood #1
Dark Blood #1 is one of the newest releases from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint. This new six-issue original series comes from screenwriter LaToya Morgan (AMC’s The Walking Dead, Into The Badlands), artist Walt Barna (The Osiris Path), colorist A.H.G., and letterer AndWorld Design. Set in 1955 Alabama the series centers on a seemingly ordinary man, Avery Aldridge forging a brave new future for himself and his family while dealing with his past. When the wounds of his past come back, he learns that he is definitely anything but ordinary.
Featured television shows for this episode: Fear the Walking Dead, D.P. The Devil Judge
Fear the Walking Dead starts off set in Los Angeles, California, then Mexico, and later in Texas. The spin-off Walking Dead series centers on a dysfunctional blended family composed of high school counselor Madison Clark, her English teacher fiancé Travis Manawa, her daughter Alicia, her drug addict son Nick, Travis’ son from a previous marriage, Chris, Chris’ mother Liza Ortiz, and others who join their group following the zombie apocalypse. Now they must reinvent themselves, learning new skills and adopting new attitudes in order to survive as civilization collapses around them.
D.P. is a six episode South Korean mini-series starring Jung Hae-in and Koo Gyo-hwan as members of the Deserter Pursuit team of the military. Newly transferred after his enlistment An Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) is unprepared for the tragic situations that await him in the army. Struggling with his estrangement from his mother and sister, An Jun-ho is almost overcome with crushing guilt, confusion and rage that he feels when he’s faced with the violent bullying, sexual harassment and stress that he, and his partner Han Ho-yeol (Koo Gyo-hwan ) encounter, leading him to see deserters and the institution that in a whole new light.
D.P. is available for streaming. Trigger warning for graphic violence, and suicide. Rating: 7/10
In the not to distant future the South Korean setting of The Devil Judge, political and judicial systems have become more about protecting those with power, and entertaining the masses than being beneficial for them. Determined to expose the corruption and manipulation of the top political figures, Judge Kang Yo-han (Ji Sung) creates a complicated plan to rid society of the people responsible for leading society to its destruction before it’s too late, but he faces an unexpected dilemma when Kim Ga-on (Jin Young) his new partner on the televised courtroom show he leads, challenges him with his passionate idealism and stubbornness. The Devil Judge is available for streaming on Viki.com. Rating: 6.5/10
Featured film shows for this episode: Candy Man, Ten Months, Raging Fire
Candyman is a direct sequel to the 1992 horror film Candyman that returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend began. Directed by Nia DaCosta, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo. A chance encounter exposes Anthony to the true story behind the urban legend of Candyman. Anxious to use these macabre details in his studio as fresh grist for paintings, he unknowingly opens a door to a complex past that unravels his own sanity and unleashes a terrifying wave of violence. Rating: 8/10
Written and directed by Namkoong Sun, Ten Months, makes its New York Asian Film Festival premiere. Game engineer Mi-rae has a burgeoning career and a doting boyfriend, and it looks like nothing will stop her from achieving her goal to change the world. That is until she discovers she’s pregnant. Namkoong Sun’s feature debut seamlessly blends humor and pathos in this captivating tale about a young woman finding her way forward when her own world’s been turned upside down. Read Carolyn’s interview with Namkoong Sun here. Rating: 10/10
Directed by the late Benny Chan, Raging Fire makes its Fantasia Fest and New York Asian Film Festival debuts. Havoc reigns in Hong Kong when a disgraced former cop has returned for vengeance against his former mentor Shan, the decorated hero of the police force. He has assembled a wild bunch of merciless assassins to generate death and destruction till his vendetta is fully satisfied. Rating: 7.5 /10
Raging Fire is currently in theatres and distributed by Well Go USA,