BAMF GIRLS CLUB - What Happens When The World's Most Badass Women Live Under One Roof

BAMF (Badass Mother F***er) Girls Club is funny as hell.

Produced by the comedy geniuses at Comediva, this web series imagines a Big Brother style reality show where the following famous heroines from pop fiction reside under one roof:

• Buffy Summers (Michelle Lang) from Buffy The Vampire Slayer

• Hermione Granger (Amanda Troop)  from Harry Potter 

• Lisbeth Salander (Iselle Slome) from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

• Katniss Everdeen (America Young) from The Hunger Games 

• Michonne (Aliza Perl) from The Walking Dead 

And, well,  then you have Bella Swan (Stephanie Bentley) from Twilight. 

Created by Vickie Toro with writing by Erika Cervantes and direction by Emily McGregor, BAMF GIRLS CLUB is brilliant in its send-up not only of these pop culture icons, but also of reality television.

The first season of the web series is comprised of  12 laugh-out-loud episodes during which you will witness many hilarious hijinks such as:

• Lisbeth hacking into the girls' social media accounts

• A special fan favorite "guest star" is hired to investigate the theft of Hermione's magic purse

• Michonne and Katniss volunteer to mentor a visiting member of the Stark family (Game of Thrones)  - to Hermione's chagrin

• Bella spending all of her time doing only what Bella does best.   

Check out the funny series trailer for a sneak peek inside the insanity: 

BAMF GIRLS CLUB is a joy to watch. Is it unabashed fan service?  Absolutely, and you wouldn't want it any other way.   

To watch the complete first season, visit BAMF GIRLS CLUB on YouTube. 

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Steamworks & Shadows - An Immersive Steampunk Adventure

Steamworks & Shadows is the imaginative steampunk web series where airships with knavish crews rule the skies.

One such crew is the complement of the airship Vindus, a group of mercenaries who will take on any job - at the right price.

Written by Joe Myers and directed by Ben Watkins, the premiere episode opens as the crew of the Vindus attempt to capture an elusive thief who has stolen a powerful artifact from them.

When the operation goes sideways, an unexpected opportunity presents itself. 

The pilot episode is a showcase of many attributes that make steampunk such a popular subgenre including:

• inspired costumes complete with clockwork accoutrements

• intricate, gorgeous props and set pieces

• a plot steeped in mystery, weird science, and the supernatural

To get a sneak peek into the world of Steamworks & Shadows, watch the official teaser:

It's important to note, the universe of Steamworks & Shadows isn't just limited to the web series.  

The creators have opened the world to the fans, inviting anyone interested to contribute their own unique vision.

Fans are encouraged to:  

• create their own characters and add their bios to the official series wiki

• write fan fiction

• make their own videos, with select ones possibly added to the series YouTube channel

Personally, I think encouraging fans to participate in the creative process is a brilliant move because it allows them to become more invested in the world of the series.

To watch the series, visit its YouTube channel Airship Vindus.

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The Bloody Mary Show - The Life And Times Of An Urban Legend

According to urban legend, if an individual stands in front of a mirror and recites "Bloody Mary" three times, the horrid spirit of a vengeful woman is summoned.

Chaos ensues.

The Bloody Mary Show is an ongoing British web series adaptation of the American myth - not to be confused with the historical figure of the same name.

As the series opens, two young girls are putting the legend to the test.  When Bloody Mary appears, she is not what is expected.

The Bloody Mary Show is not only a funny satire of American and British urban legends, but also of dramatic tropes in general.

Primarily set in the otherworldy bar Hemingways, Mary and her spectral friends commiserate about their professional and personal quandaries.

Think of it as a supernatural version of the sitcom Cheers. 

Honestly, I can't divulge more details about the plot without spoiling some very delightful surprises . 

However, if you are ready for a cleverly written, funny web series about supernatural creatures other than cliche´ vampires or zombies, The Bloody Mary Show is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Watch the season one trailer for a glimpse into Bloody Mary's world: 

To view the series, visit its channel on YouTube. 

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Progress The Series - Jack The Ripper Is Loose In This Steampunk Cyber-Thriller

In the imaginative steampunk web series Progress, the year is 1888, and the web is all the latest rage.

In this alternate 19th century England, information flows freely through a steam-powered internet.

To the consternation of many, every citizen of the crown has access to this new-fangled form of communication.  

Everyone including a ghastly serial killer terrorizing the Whitechapel district of London.

 In the premiere episode, you are introduced to Oscar Lerwill (Ben Whalen), a bored hacker seeking to pass the time by visiting the seedier parts of the web.

After an aborted encounter with Lila (Rebecca Lynch), a pay-per-view exotic performer, Oscar stumbles upon a disturbing file apparently uploaded to the internet by Jack the Ripper himself.

The siren song of a dark mystery is calling out to Oscar. Will he solve the enigma of the Ripper, or be consumed by it? 

Written by Armando Saldanamora and directed/produced by Nicole Wright, Progress promises to be an engrossing thrill ride.

The series' unique premise is brought to life by means of exceptional production values including:

• gorgeous set, costume, and prop designs

• period dialogue delivered masterfully by the capable cast

• sensational cinematography (make sure to watch the series in HD if at all possible!) 

• a creepy mystery involving one of the most notorious serial killers of all time

• witty spoofs of popular tech and current staples of internet culture 

Travel back in time to a Victorian England that-could-have-been by watching the entire first episode here: 

 Progress is a web series in 10 parts. All future episodes will be available on its YouTube channel: ProgressTheSeriesOnYouTube.

The world of Progress is dark, rich, and enthralling - I can't wait for my next trip back.

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00c6 The Web Series - A Haunting Vision Of A Dystopian Hong Kong

“Sciencefiction fiction is not prescriptive; it is descriptive.” - Ursula K. Le Guin

00c6 is a haunting and visionary new sci-fi web series from China.

Described by series creator Marco Sparmberg as a part of an overall transmedia production, 00c6  predicts a disturbing future for Hong Kong in which its gendercide crisis comes to a catastrophic head. 

In the year 2082, the female population of Hong Kong has been decimated due to decades of the Chinese government's controversial one-child policies. 

Exacerbated by numerous natural disasters, Hong Kong has been abandoned by most of the populace as it is slowly being reclaimed by wildlife and the sea. 

Ruling over the remaining population is the mysterious ae Corporation.   

One of ae Corporation's primary businesses is conducting excursions to the islands formerly known as Hong Kong, where men are given the opportunity to compete for the companionship of women.

In reality, these excursions are brutal death matches in which three men must fight to the death, with the survivor "winning" a sexual encounter with one woman.

Filmed in various locations in China, the cinematography is some of the most gorgeous I've ever seen in a web series.  

Misty valleys and vast verdant jungles help transport you to this alternate future. The sound design is just as lush as the scenery, yet it's very subtle. This helps to emphasize the feelings of isolation and desperation the characters feel.

However, what makes 00c6 most extraordinary is how the narrative is executed. The series creators chose a very minimalist approach.

In fact, none of the characters speak a word of dialogue. 

You are required to pay attention to events as they transpire on screen. Information is not spoon fed.  

This "less is more" philosophy is very effective in making the viewing experience more immersive.

Watch the intriguing series trailer here: 

As I mentioned earlier, 00c6 is one part of a transmedia production including:

• a tumblr blog with password protected "insider" content

• a Flickr photo stream with terrific photos from the production

The one criticism I have is the problematic series title. It can be confusing, and I imagine marketing is more challenging because of it.

Still, 00c6 is a prime example of how science fiction can not only entertain, but also comment on relevant social issues of the day. 

To watch the complete series, visit its official channel on YouTube: 00c6 on YouTube.

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Captain Canuck - The Animated Web Series Featuring Canada's Premier Superhero

While most comic book properties in the United Stats feature native superheroes, it's important to realize other countries have their own icons too.

Our neighbor to the north is no exception. 

Not only does the new, animated web series Captain Canuck feature Canada's premier superhero, but it's also made of 100% old-fashioned fun! 

The character was conceived in 1975 by Richard Comely and Ron Leishman, who wanted to create a superhero uniquely Canadian.  The self-published comic book became an instant success.

In the years since, Captain Canuck has garnered a strong cult following both in Canada and in the United States. 

In 2012, the property was entrusted to Captain Canuck Incorporated (CCI) founded by Fadi Hakim.  The CCI's goal is to expose Captain Canuck to a new audience. 

The animated web series is part of that initiative, and after viewing the two episodes now available, I'd say it's a smashing success!

Produced by Big B Comics in conjunction with Scarper Studios and CCI, the premiere episode begins with Captain Canuck, voiced by Kris Holden-Reid (Lost Girl, Dark Matter), attempting to prevent a bomb from destroying the seat of the Canadian government, Parliament Hill.

However, the Captain and his associate, Redcoat, voiced by Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), begin to suspect something even more sinister is at work. 

What impressed me the most about the web series is its lightning fast pacing.

The moment after the title credits roll, you are immediately dropped into the heat of the action. In fact, more action and intrigue is packed into a four minute episode than some televised dramas have during an entire hour!

Instead of having characters standing around speechifying, a lot of background exposition is delivered using a clever plot device.  

As you witness the Captain searching for the bomb, he is in constant radio communication with Redcoat, who is guiding him by providing crucial mission information.

This expository device is effective in providing essential plot details you need to know without slowing down the flow of the narrative.

The project also boasts very impressive production quality including:

• sensational looking animation 

• engaging story

• sterling vocal cast, most notably including Maslany and Holden-Ried

Experience the exciting world of Captain Canuck by watching the complete pilot episode here: 

To view all future episodes, visit the series official Youtube channel CaptainCanuckInc. 

Discover more about the project at the official web site Captain Canuck.com. 

Like the other stellar web series Heroes Of The North, Captain Canuck is another welcome Canadian contribution to the superhero mythos.

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Dragon Age: Redemption Ft. Felicia Day - A Review

Dragon Age: Redemption (DAR) is the 2011 fantasy web series written and co-produced by geek queen Felicia Day, and based on the popular RPG video game by Bioware.

Admittedly, I was vaguely aware of DAR, but since video games aren't a big passion of mine, the entire project flew under my radar. 

After stumbling upon the project, I decided to give the series a watch - and I'm glad I did.

In the world of DAR, being a magic user sucks. 

All magic is powered by an alternate, demonic dimension called the Fade. Unfortunately, magic users become vulnerable to demonic possession each time they use their powers.

Because of this, mages are oppressed by the state religion known as “The Chantry” and their holy warriors called Templars.

The Chantry is in constant conflict with another religious sect called the “Qunari,” whose inhuman followers forcibly convert humans, dwarves and elves to their strict dogma, the "Qun."  

Disobedience to the Qun is the ultimate sin. 

The unfortunate mystics of both cultures usually find themselves used as unwilling tools in the endless war between the Chantry and the Qunari. 

Against this turbulent backdrop, you are introduced to Tallis (Felicia Day), a disgraced elven Qunari assassin.  

She has been given one final chance to redeem herself - track down the rogue mage Saarebas (Doug Jones), who is intent on creating global chaos.  

Joining Tallis on her quest is: Cairn (Adam Rayner) a Chantry templar with a secret agenda of his own,  the young elven wizard Josmael (Masam Holden), and the berserker mercenary Nyree (Marcia Battise). 

The entire web series is comprised of six episodes that altogether run for approximately an hour. 

In all, DAR is an enjoyable romp fans of fantasy in general can enjoy.

There is one caveat: viewers (like me) unfamiliar with the video game can find certain aspects of this world a little confusing.

Fortunately, the producers wisely include a brief prologue explaining pertinent plot points at the beginning of each episode.

The story is fairly straightforward and doesn't break any new ground, but it doesn't really need to. It entertains well enough as a standard fantasy adventure.

The cast, led by the charismatic Ms. Day, give convincing performances. Also, the overall production value is very good - which is as it should be since Bioware is a producer. 

While other reviews have been critical of this project citing subpar plotting, aesthetics and dialogue, I have to disagree.

While the series does its faults including: some very cheesy bits of dialogue; Ms. Day's elfen ears look surprisingly fake; and the relationship between Tallis and Cairn seems forced, DAR still manages to create a compelling narrative - something many big-budget genre movies fail to do. 

Watch the official trailer below to get a feel for the series:

You may watch the entire series on YouTube: Dragon Age Redemption.

If you are looking for a fun, well-executed fantasy-adventure, Dragon Age: Redemption will certainly fit the bill.

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Neibauer The Web Series - He Solves Crimes By Rebooting The Dead

"I remember, therefore I am." 

Neibauer the web series is a perfect example of out-of-the-box storytelling one can usually expect from independent science fiction online.

Presented by SciFiRiot, the indie sci-fi YouTube channel, the project is a science fiction homage to film noir movies, such as the classic The Maltese Falcon.

Set in the year 2024, the titular protagonist Gene Neibauer is a "Post Mortem Detective."

By use of advanced technology, he has the ability to solve murders by "rebooting" recent homicide victims into the form of sophisticated holograms. He then accesses their recent memories to discover the identities of their killers.

As the first season opens, Neibauer is working on the case of dearly departed Arch Fletch.

Expecting Fletch's hologram a.k.a. “FletchBOOT “to immediately divulge the identity of his murderer, Neibauer is caught off-guard when the man only expresses concern for the safety of his mistress.

Sorry, but to reveal more details would spoil the plot. Suffice to say, the case takes unexpected turns which lead to a truly surprising conclusion.

Directed by Chris Chan Roberson, Neibauer most definitely has a classic film noir feel.

The series has many hallmarks of the genre, including: 

• a hard-boiled, cynical protagonist

• an intelligent, no nonsense Girl Friday

• a case involving missing cash, a lovelorn man, betrayal, and a beautiful woman with secrets

• a gorgeous jazz soundtrack

What also gives the web series a distinctive look is the cinematography.  

Shot entirely in beautiful black and white, you feel transported back to the early days of cinema when Bogart and Bergman ruled Hollywood.

Yet, the series is set firmly in the future - with crisp visual effects on frequent display to reinforce that fact.  

To get a feel for this unique sci-fi crime drama, watch the complete premiere episode below:

Also, season two entitled Zapruder Threshold will premiere on ScifiRiot Thursday, August 22, 2013:

To watch the series, visit its channel on YouTube.

Don't miss this distinctive and stylish, sci-fi crime drama!

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Level 17 - A New Sci-Fi Web Series Makes Its Riveting Debut

Level 17  opens in spectacular fashion by grabbing you by the collar, then throwing you into deep waters.

Set in the near future, the citizens of Adelaide, Australia find themselves suddenly placed under violent lockdown by the paramilitary branch of the powerful IOB corporation. 

While the populace is informed the quarantine of their city is due to a viral outbreak, there are hints something more sinister is at work. 

In the heart of the chaos is Ethan (Hjálmar Svenna), a young man who is struggling to survive in this new terrifying paradigm.

Written and directed by John deCaux, the premiere episode of Level 17 is impressive.

The decision to drop you immediately into the action with little preamble makes for a extremely intense viewing experience. 

You feel as if you are taking this surreal journey along with the protagonist.

Personally, I applaud this dramatic choice because it respects the audience's intelligence.  As the viewer, you are expected to pay attention and connect the dots.  

Also, the series production value is superb - including outstanding visual effects. The editing and cinematography is very kinetic, which lends additional power to the action. 

The overall result is a very engaging narrative.

Check out the intriguing series trailer for a  preview: 

Level 17 is off to an auspicious start.  With more episodes to come, I'm excited for the opportunity to revisit this compelling new world.

I believe you will be too. 

You may watch complete episodes on the series YouTube Channel.

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RCVR - A Sci-Fi Web Series Descendant Of 'The X-Files'

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” ―  Arthur C. Clarke

In the years after the original run of The X-Flies ended, but before its television rebirth, no other genre show tackled our cultural fascination with UFOs and alien abduction lore.

RCVR  is a sci-fi web series that is a spiritual descendant of The X-Files. 

Set in the year 1973, the series follows government agent Luke Weber (Daniel Bonjour) with the fictitious Bureau of Information. 

On the surface, Agent Weber's assignment seems to be to track down witnesses of reported UFO sightings to debunk them. 

However, we quickly learn his true agenda is to cover up the government's knowledge of extraterrestrial visitation.

Not only that, Agent Weber and his colleague, agent Sandy Bergson (Catherine Kresge), have also been tasked with tracking down "receivers" - select individuals used by aliens to effect change in our world.

Created, co-written and directed by David van Eyssen, RCVR is an extremely well produced web series.

It looks as if it belongs on television.  

Like The X-Files, the plot is steeped in UFO tradition.

The series tone is deliciously conspiratorial. Our government is attempting to suppress knowledge of the existence of aliens and UFOs. Why? To What end? 

The visual effects are top notch too, and the entire cast turns in exceptional performances.

To date, the series pilot has over 1.4 million views on YouTube.

Watch the trailer to see a sampling of the atmosphere of the series:

RCVR hearkens back to the glory days of The X-Files.  It is a fascinating and compelling excursion into UFO lore and mythology.

UPDATE 09/18/19: Unfortunately, the producers of RCVR have no longer made the series available for public viewing. Should the series be made available again, this space will be updated with the details.

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Grant Morrison's 18 Days - An Ambitious Graphic Retelling Of An Indian Epic You Must See

Acclaimed author and comic book writer Grant Morrison is renowned for many things, but subtlety isn't one of them. 

HIs latest project is so audacious, YouTube chose it as one of the main tentpole events christened to launch its new celebration of geekdom, Geek Week.

18 Days is Morrison's animated, graphic retelling of the epic Indian poem Mahabharata.   

At least eight times longer than Beowulf or The Odyssey, the Mahabharata chronicles ancient tales of Indian mythology, and even contains seeds of the origin of Hinduism.

Central to the work is the recounting of a monumental war between two clans of demigods - the  Kauravas and the Pandavas - as they engage in a cosmic conflict that will determine the fate of all humanity.

The Mahabharata is filled with intrigue, battle, conflicted heroes, demons, and gods. It's a perfect work to be adapted into a modern action-adventure fable. 

In order to bring his adaptation of this epic to the screen, Morrison collaborated with Graphic India, the Indian entertainment firm co-founded by Gotham Chopra (the son of Deepak Chopra).

Graphic India - with its mission to create dynamic characters and stories for the Indian youth market - is the ideal partner to collaborate with Morrison on 18 Days.

The result is an expansive animated series of incredibly gorgeous art, combined with a trippy and surreal premise filled with themes that are quite universal. 

Get an eye-full of the stunning official series trailer: 

I highly recommend 18 Days not only because of its grand scope, but also because it's a vast departure from typical and rote superhero action fare. 

In order to view all current and future episodes, you can only watch the series on its exclusive YouTube channel:  18 Days.

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Zombie With A Shotgun - The Web Series Review

To say zombies are white-hot is as obvious as stating water is wet. 

Due in part to the explosive success of the Image Comics title and AMC network series The Walking Dead, zombies have left an indelible mark on pop culture. 

Despite their popularity,  stories about the living dead are not my personal favorite.

However, there are some projects that use them more compellingly than others.  I wrote a review several months ago about such a project - the terrific web series Project S.E.R.A.

Zombie With A Shotgun (ZWAS) is another such project. 

First, the web series name is an attention-getter.  The name alone intrigued me enough to check it out!

Written and directed by filmmaker Hilton Ariel Ruiz, ZWAS tells the story of Aaron (Braeden Baade), a man who has contracted a virus that will gradually transform him into a zombie.

While there is action, ZWAS is most definitely a character-centric piece.

On the run with his girlfriend Rachel (Lynnea Molone), you are made privy to Aaron's inner life as he struggles with the agonizing knowledge he will inevitably succumb to the virus.

Rachel is also distraught as she is confronted with the horrible reality the man she loves is gradually slipping away.

 ZWAS has excellent production values as well - especially for an independently produced web series. The lighting and editing create a sense of claustrophobia which serves to heighten the dramatic tension.

The musical score is also superb, with creepy beats, tones, and various sound effects certain to set you on edge. 

As of this writing, four episodes approximately 5 minutes in length each have been released. 

Watch the premiere episode below to experience a sample of the series tone: 

To watch all current episodes, visit the series channel on Vimeo. 

For more information about the production, visit the project's official Tumblr blog. 

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