NERDS AROUND TOWN

Disney, movie festivals and Selena

Disney, movie festivals and Selena

Born with a comic book in one hand and a remote control in the other, Cory DLG is the talent of Conroe's very own Nerd Thug Radio, Sports and Wrestling. Check out the podcast replay of the FM radio show at www.nerdthugradio.com!

Hey Nerds!

Thursday guys, it's thursday. If you're cheering for the weekend, you're almost there and if you're really not feeling it, call it a week and start your weekend here tonight.

GOOD DEED OF THE DAY

So for some people a walk in the park is a pleasant experience, for others not so much (like me) but when a walk is for a good cause, then we all win. The Epilepsy Foundation is hosting a Walk to End Epilepsy with the Houston Zoo. It's Saturday April 13th at 7am with registration at the front gate of the Houston Zoo. They're promising 95% of proceeds will be donated and this whole event will be held at zero cost to the community, that's awesome. So come on and hang out with the animals and other walkers and celebrate all of you coming together for a great cause this weekend.

THATS A LOT OF MOVIES

So it technically started yesterday but it goes for 10 days so it's cool, right now it's the 52nd Annual Worldfest-Houston at the Memorial City Cinemark. People from all over the world are here for ten days to screen independent films and attend galas and just have a good time taking a stab at the craft that is Hollywood. When I say a lot of movies, I do mean a lot of movies there will be over 200 screenings during this 10 day period, and I don't think Hellboy is going to be a single one of them. Anyway if you want to try something different, I recommend going out there and giving it a try, you never know what you might discover.

SPEAKING OF

This weekend will see the debut of Hellboy. If you're a fan of the first two films, I have some bad and confusing news, this one is a reboot. Guillermo del Toro isn't directing, and Ron Perlman isn't starring in this third Hellboy movie. Taking a stance closer to the horror themes of the Mike Mignola source material and featuring finally rising star David Harbour of Stranger Things this is a new take on the existing concept. While Del Toro had always said he had a planned trilogy in mind and had a definitive story he wanted to tell, the timing and funds never quite lined out the way it was supposed to go, with at one point there was finally studio support for the third Hellboy movie but it was contingent on Pacific Rim reaching certain box office numbers and that didn't happen. The movie as its own project looks interesting, I'm not sure if this is going to be the movie everyone wants to see this weekend with all the other things scheduled around it but we'll know the answer to that come Monday.

ANYTHING FOR SELENAS

I hope you've been practicing your Washing Machine and you held on to your brassiere because tonight at Barbarella Houston it's Selena night. The music will be featuring her hits and there will be a costume contest, so you know, this is pretty flipping cool. Selena is one of those Houston Icons that we hold onto near and dear because the consensus was she was talented and it was honestly just a matter of time before she broke out into mainstream music. Its easy now looking back at the pop music of the past few eras to see where she would have fit in perfectly abd the interesting things is her career launched two stars, hers and Jennifer Lopez in the biopic. Before that there hadn't been a ton of heat on Jennifer Lopez but that movie proved she could sing and act and suddenly the world loved J.Lo. RIP Selena.

I DO LOVE WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER

​So Disney has been busy making announcements these past few weeks and plans for the back half of 2019 are starting to clear up. One of the biggest pieces of news has been the various announcements for shows on the Disney+ streaming service. Recently they've announced a Marvel themed show that will focus on people having an impact in their community, and another series of documentaries focusing on the iconic history of Marvel comics and those are neat but not anywhere near as neat as these other announcements, A Falcon/Winter Soldier crossover series, a Loki Series, a Scarlet Witch series and a Hawkeye based series centered around Clint Barton training his young protege Kate Bishop. This is a big deal because there had been some casting in Avengers that was making a lot of people think we might see a young female hero debut in Avengers End Game, either daughter of Scott Lang, Stature or protege of Hawkeye, Kate Bishop. While this doesn't guarantee either, it makes Kate Bishop the likely candidate if either is even correct.

NOT THAT ANYONE ASKED

So one thing that is a little worrisome about Disney acquiring Star Wars and Marvel and now 20th Century Fox is now Disney owns roughly 27% of the movie industry with this move. This is potentially a problem because Disney themselves have had struggles over the years for direction and have had some odd starts and stops, including once exploring the idea of a "Dark Disney" like adult themed movies and things that had no appeal to the younger demographics but they did eventually get away from that idea. When someone has most of the cards, sure that usually marks them as quite successful but it doesn't always make that for the best. This isn't me wishing for them to fail, this just means they become gatekeepers in a sense. Recently a stand up comic chose to do his stand up special with comedy central instead of Netflix because Netflix would only offer him a 30 minute special with a clause requiring a second special because that's how Netflix thinks comedians should progress, however Comedy Central offered him an hour special and better money for just a one special deal, and while he will likely get fewer viewers he is able to make his next move much sooner this way. The reason this story is relevant to my point is this: The fewer options the creatives have to create, the fewer chances we have to see something new and special. This might be great, but it might be trouble.


I'm going to jump out and wish you guys a great Thursday and remind everyone to be kind to each other and try a little harder to have a great day! I'm coming back Friday and we'll be bringing more good times your way. Feel free to check out my digital short story The Wilson House, or buy a shirt from Side Hustle Ts where every shirt is now under $20 or listen to Nerd Thug Radio or support our Patreon Page. Thoughts, complaints, events and comments can be sent to corydlg@gmail.com.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome