7:15 PM
Billy...
Here is a first look at the new Wolverine video game based on the upcoming X-Men Origins movie.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
LONELY ISLAND: INCREDIBAD
Have you picked up your copy of Lonely Island's new CD Incredibad, yet? No? Yeah, I didn't figure. Go ahead...I'll wait.
WATCHMEN: Prison Break Scene
With it coming so close to the Watchmen movie release, I'm trying really hard to not watch anymore clips online, but this one was too good to pass up. This is a clip originally aired on MTV's Spoilers show of the prison break scene from the film showing Nite Owl and Silk Spectre doing their thing.
Inside the mind of R2-D2...
Ever wonder what R2-D2 is really thinking? Check out this Episode 1 run down of memorable R2 moments.
[WARNING: CONTAINS SOME COLORFUL LANGUAGE...WELL, TEXT]
[WARNING: CONTAINS SOME COLORFUL LANGUAGE...WELL, TEXT]
Monday, February 23, 2009
QUICK BITS
- Sony has recently announced that to better utilize the disc space of their PS3 discs, the company will now be releasing Blu-ray movies with the accompanying movie tie-in game on the same disc. So, now when you buy your Watchmen movie on Blu-ray you'll get the Watchmen game along with it. What kind of delays this may cause and what the price tag will be is still a little vague at this time.
- Sometime in the near future, you can expect theatrical versions of some of your favorite childhood toys a la Clue including Battleship, Monopoly (Ridley Scott), Ouija (Michael Bay), Candy Land (Ethan Cohen) and...Stretch Armstrong?
- ABC has officially began production on The Witches of Eastwick, a new series based loosely off of the 1987 Jack Nicholson film of the same name.
- In other remake news, it looks like Leo DiCaprio will be leading up the cast in an updated version of the 1983 classic War Games starring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy.
- The Dark Knight has finally broken the $1 billion mark worldwide, making only the fourth film to do so behindTitanic, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dean Man's Chest.
- Also in DC movie news, it has recently been announced that Warner Bros. will not reboot the Superman franchise as once speculated (and hoped), but instead will put the final nail in the Superman movie coffin with Superman: Unleashed (originally titled Superman: Man of Steel to mirror The Dark Knight), which will continue as the next sequel after Superman Ruined, I mean Superman Returns.
...and the Oscar goes to:
So, guess who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. THAT'S RIGHT, BABY!!!
Congratulations to Heath and his family. You're gone, but definitely not forgotten.
Congratulations to Heath and his family. You're gone, but definitely not forgotten.Sunday, February 22, 2009
DVD releases for Feb 24th.
TOP PICK:
- Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder (Is this final installment the last we will see of Futurama?...that may be up to the fans.)
OTHER RELEASES:
- Badland
- Breaking Bad: The Complete First Season
- Canterbury's Law: The Complete Series
- Cyclops
- Dario Argento's Four Flies on Grey Velvet
- Dirty Jobs Collection 4
- Extreme Movie (Unrated)
- The FTA
- Futurama DTV Movies 1-4
- The Haunting of Molly Hartley
- Ironweed
- Just Shoot Me!: The Complete Third Season
- The Last House on the Left (Collector's Edition)
- The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice
- My Wife & Kids: Season One
- NFL: Super Bowl XLIII Champions - Pittsburgh Steelers
- Protégé
- Red Sands
- S.I.S.
- Scourge
- Sex Drive (2-Disc Special Edition)
- Summer Heights High
Cool Blu-ray releases:
- Akira
- The French Connection
- French Connection 2
- Friday the 13th Part 2 (UK edition)
- Friday the 13th Part 3 (UK edition)
- Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder
- Samurai 7 - Box Set
Although Friday the 13th 2 and 3 are UK releases, they are listed as 'All Regions', so they should play fine, but no 3-D for part 3. If you want that, you're probably better off waiting for the U.S. release of both movies in June of this year.
- Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder (Is this final installment the last we will see of Futurama?...that may be up to the fans.)
OTHER RELEASES:
- Badland
- Breaking Bad: The Complete First Season
- Canterbury's Law: The Complete Series
- Cyclops
- Dario Argento's Four Flies on Grey Velvet
- Dirty Jobs Collection 4
- Extreme Movie (Unrated)
- The FTA
- Futurama DTV Movies 1-4
- The Haunting of Molly Hartley
- Ironweed
- Just Shoot Me!: The Complete Third Season
- The Last House on the Left (Collector's Edition)
- The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice
- My Wife & Kids: Season One
- NFL: Super Bowl XLIII Champions - Pittsburgh Steelers
- Protégé
- Red Sands
- S.I.S.
- Scourge
- Sex Drive (2-Disc Special Edition)
- Summer Heights High
Cool Blu-ray releases:
- Akira
- The French Connection
- French Connection 2
- Friday the 13th Part 2 (UK edition)
- Friday the 13th Part 3 (UK edition)
- Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder
- Samurai 7 - Box Set
Although Friday the 13th 2 and 3 are UK releases, they are listed as 'All Regions', so they should play fine, but no 3-D for part 3. If you want that, you're probably better off waiting for the U.S. release of both movies in June of this year.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Watchmen: Minutemen video game
What the best viral tie-in to the upcoming Watchmen movie so far? In my opinion, it would have be the most excellent 8-bit Minutemen video game at minutemenarcade. The game was created to look as though it was an actual game right out of 1985 in all it's pixelated glory.
As a member of the Minutemen, you can choose to be either the original Nite Owl or the original Silk Spectre in a mission to defeat the evil Moloch. It's not the most complicated game in the world and it's slightly reminiscent of the classic Double Dragon arcade game, but more than anything it's just another vehicle to allow us to step into the Watchmen world.
As a member of the Minutemen, you can choose to be either the original Nite Owl or the original Silk Spectre in a mission to defeat the evil Moloch. It's not the most complicated game in the world and it's slightly reminiscent of the classic Double Dragon arcade game, but more than anything it's just another vehicle to allow us to step into the Watchmen world.PROJECT: PEDAL
For the last few years my buddy Mike has been pouring his heart and soul into a little project entitled "For Thousands of Miles". While he is still hard at work cutting the film AND a 'making of' documentary called "64 Days" AND a production blog at ProjectPedal, he has also been trying to enter the footage in a number of film festivals and contests. One such contest is Babelgum's 2nd Annual Online Film Festival and he needs your vote. So if you have an extra second, jump over to the site here and put in your vote for 64 Days. Mike has an amazing vision and the work he's doing is just fantastic. Please go to Babelgum's site and vote (you can actually vote once a day, so vote often) to show your support. The prize money would be invaluable to finishing production on the film which has already cost tens of thousands of dollars to date. You can check out some of the footage below or for more on the project go to www.ProjectPedal.com. Thanks.
Episode One: From the beginning from mike ambs ☂ on Vimeo.
Episode One: From the beginning from mike ambs ☂ on Vimeo.
Wil Wheaton reviews 'Watchmen'
Uber-geek and former Enterprise Crewman Wil Wheaton was privy to an advance screening of the new Watchmen film and was nice enough to share his thoughts on Zack Snyder's adaptation of the popular graphic novel.
I'm not going to discuss specifics, because that would suck for a lot of people, but: PAY ATTENTION, MY FELLOW GEEKS: YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. Now, listen, I know tha
t we live in a world where we've endured Ang Lee's The Hulk, Spiderman 3, both Fantastic Four movies, and Indiana Jones Gets Raped Repeatedly While We Are Forced To Watch In Horror, so I think it would be really strange if we weren't worried and apprehensive about something that already means so much to us, but I hope this will calm your nerves until the movie is released: Watchmen is faithful to the book. It respects the book. I swear by the beard of Zeus, it feels like the book. Yes, there are some cuts, but they serve the release and don't disrupt or betray the narrative at all. Yes, they made a change to something that's a pretty big deal in the book, but it doesn't matter; what they did instead accomplishes exactly the same thing, and it does it perfectly. There is some of the Zack Snyder signature slow motion, and though it's a little heavy in the very first scene (which worried me) it isn't overdone throughout the movie at all, and I found it to be pretty cool and entertaining. Ultra-purists who are just determined to pick it apart will be able to find some things to be upset about, but I don't know why they're even bothering to see it, to be honest. Speaking only for myself, as someone who has read the book over and over again, there were maybe ... three ... things that made me go "eh," but I had to work really hard to get even that perturbed, because ultimately none of them mattered. In fact, when the movie was over, and I thought about the stuff they cut or moved around, I just couldn't get upset about it, because nothing happened that [frick]ed with the story or the characters, at all. Zack Snyder's Watchmen is as close to a perfect film adaptation of Alan Moore's Watchmen as we were ever going to see, and when his super-ultimate-here's-everything cut comes out in the fall, I think it will be perfect. But what I saw yesterday is truly remarkable: a big studio movie adaptation of one of the most — if not the most — important graphic novels of my lifetime that not only didn't [frick] it up, but brought it to life brilliantly. I can't think of a better, more faithful, graphic novel adaptation, ever. Nothing else even comes close.
I think we can all breath at least slightly easier knowing that one of the faithful has given his blessing. If you think that this was all Wil had to say on the subject, think again. This was just a condensed version of his review. For the full helping, jump on over to Wil's site right now...or, you know, whenever you get a second.
I'm not going to discuss specifics, because that would suck for a lot of people, but: PAY ATTENTION, MY FELLOW GEEKS: YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. Now, listen, I know tha
t we live in a world where we've endured Ang Lee's The Hulk, Spiderman 3, both Fantastic Four movies, and Indiana Jones Gets Raped Repeatedly While We Are Forced To Watch In Horror, so I think it would be really strange if we weren't worried and apprehensive about something that already means so much to us, but I hope this will calm your nerves until the movie is released: Watchmen is faithful to the book. It respects the book. I swear by the beard of Zeus, it feels like the book. Yes, there are some cuts, but they serve the release and don't disrupt or betray the narrative at all. Yes, they made a change to something that's a pretty big deal in the book, but it doesn't matter; what they did instead accomplishes exactly the same thing, and it does it perfectly. There is some of the Zack Snyder signature slow motion, and though it's a little heavy in the very first scene (which worried me) it isn't overdone throughout the movie at all, and I found it to be pretty cool and entertaining. Ultra-purists who are just determined to pick it apart will be able to find some things to be upset about, but I don't know why they're even bothering to see it, to be honest. Speaking only for myself, as someone who has read the book over and over again, there were maybe ... three ... things that made me go "eh," but I had to work really hard to get even that perturbed, because ultimately none of them mattered. In fact, when the movie was over, and I thought about the stuff they cut or moved around, I just couldn't get upset about it, because nothing happened that [frick]ed with the story or the characters, at all. Zack Snyder's Watchmen is as close to a perfect film adaptation of Alan Moore's Watchmen as we were ever going to see, and when his super-ultimate-here's-everything cut comes out in the fall, I think it will be perfect. But what I saw yesterday is truly remarkable: a big studio movie adaptation of one of the most — if not the most — important graphic novels of my lifetime that not only didn't [frick] it up, but brought it to life brilliantly. I can't think of a better, more faithful, graphic novel adaptation, ever. Nothing else even comes close.I think we can all breath at least slightly easier knowing that one of the faithful has given his blessing. If you think that this was all Wil had to say on the subject, think again. This was just a condensed version of his review. For the full helping, jump on over to Wil's site right now...or, you know, whenever you get a second.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Steve Brule (for Billy)
It has come to my attention that the owner of this site does not care for Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
For your health...
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer
I'm pretty sure everyone has seen the new Transformers 2 trailer that debuted in theaters with Friday the 13th, but in case you haven't or you just wanted to see it again, here it be:
MSH: WHAT THE--?!
With the success of Twisted Toyfare Theater in print, Robot Chicken on television, and I'm a Marvel/I'm a DC on the internet using popular comic book figures in comedic scenarios, Marvel Comics has decided to take a turn at cashing in on their own characters by creating Marvel Super Heroes: What the--?! First up, super villian extraordinaire M.O.D.O.K. has his own little 'Christian Bale' moment with an A.I.M. lackey.
The latest Watchmen trailer
Out of all of the clips I've seen for the upcoming Watchmen movie, the latest trailer is by far the best. Even though it basically contains footage that's appeared in most of the former trailers there's just something about the way that this one is cut together that makes it stand out above the rest.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Scrubs Charlie Brown Christmas
I know this is about 2 months out of season, but I didn't feel like waiting almost a year to post this video. I'm not sure how this stayed under my radar for 5 years, but I'm glad I found it. The following is a re-edited version of A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring the cast of Scrubs. The clip is just great, but the fact that everyone took time out to do this is even better. Enjoy.
THE DESCENT 2 trailer
The powers that be have declared that the 2005 sleeper hit The Descent is in need of a sequel. Okay, so this isn't exactly fresh news, but the trailer is and although most fans of the impressive horror film feel that everything that needed to be said was said with the original, expect The Descent 2 (or The De2cent) to start making its way to theaters around the globe on March 27, 2009. What is this new film about and how does it tie into a story where almost every character dies? Well, watch the trailer, Dummy. That's what it's here for.
Friday the 13th makes a killing
Friday the 13th opened last Friday to the second highest grossing opening President's Day Weekend ever at $42.2 million, burying the competition. Next in line was the chick-flick Confessions of a Shopaholic with a modest $17.3 million and the action thriller The International that basically flopped at 10.7 million. As impressive as the numbers are, it's even more impressive that a slasher film that's a rehash of a previously half-dead franchise pulled in such great numbers. What's not so impressive? The fact that the film with the number one opening President's Day Weekend is...Ghost Rider with Nicholas Cage. Yeesh!Monday, February 16, 2009
CURSE OF THE BLACK FREIGHTER trailer
For those that don't know Tales of the Black Freighter is a story within the Watchmen graphic novel. I had previously mentioned that it would be coming to DVD and Blu-ray. If you look really closely you can actually see the raft made from human corpses. Tasty.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
STREET FIGHTER 4
Here is a trailer for the upcoming Street Fighter 4 game. It's rumored that this game takes place between the events of Street Fighter 2 & 3 and for the most part, it just looks like an updated version of Street Fighter 3. The one thing I am looking forward to is the addition of El Fuerte, a luchador with lightning fast moves. LUCHARAN!!! Street Fighter 4 comes home to Xbox 360 and PS3 later this week.
"Tim & Eric Awesome Show Great Job!" Will blow your friggin' mind.
On Sunday, February 8th, the 4th season of "Tim & Eric's Awesome Show Great Job!" premiered on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The episode, titled "Snow" featured Tim & Eric snowed in, so they hosted a dance party at their home. Unfortunately, the only people in attendance were creepy old men who had no business dancing. Oh, and there was an ad for D- Pants, which are "protective pants you wear under your trousers to capture and contain your uncontrollable diarrhea."
That about sums up Tim & Eric's Awesome Show, and so help me God I love every minute of it. I was raised on sketch comedy, starting with Dana Carvey's Church Lady on SNL. Then came "The Kids in the Hall", and HBO's "Mr. Show with Bob and David." Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, formerly of Adult Swim's "Tom goes to the Mayor", take it to a whole new level with the some of the most bizarre and unsettling antics I have ever been exposed to.
You think clowns are creepy? They have child clowns that are available for rental. There was a public service announcement to "keep ya meat ice cold!" so you don't get sick. Each 12 minute episode is packed with songs, fake commercials and infomercials, and just some of the weirdest stuff you will ever see.
You want guest stars? How about Jeff Goldblum, Ed Begley Jr, Alan Thicke, Will Forte, Rainn Wilson, and Weird Al Yankovic. The great John C. Reilly has a recurring role as Dr. Steve Brule, a news ancor who, aw heck, you just gotta see him for yourself.
I have a hard time recommending Tim & Eric because it's probably one of the most polarizing shows Adult Swim has ever had. People either love it, or REALLY hate it. It's also one of those shows that gets funnier the more you see it, and if you happen to be under the influence on any elicit stuff, well it won't hurt your enjoyment either.
The second season of Tim & Eric is now available on DVD so if this looks to be your thing, I suggest picking it up, I know I will.
That about sums up Tim & Eric's Awesome Show, and so help me God I love every minute of it. I was raised on sketch comedy, starting with Dana Carvey's Church Lady on SNL. Then came "The Kids in the Hall", and HBO's "Mr. Show with Bob and David." Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, formerly of Adult Swim's "Tom goes to the Mayor", take it to a whole new level with the some of the most bizarre and unsettling antics I have ever been exposed to.
You think clowns are creepy? They have child clowns that are available for rental. There was a public service announcement to "keep ya meat ice cold!" so you don't get sick. Each 12 minute episode is packed with songs, fake commercials and infomercials, and just some of the weirdest stuff you will ever see.
You want guest stars? How about Jeff Goldblum, Ed Begley Jr, Alan Thicke, Will Forte, Rainn Wilson, and Weird Al Yankovic. The great John C. Reilly has a recurring role as Dr. Steve Brule, a news ancor who, aw heck, you just gotta see him for yourself.
I have a hard time recommending Tim & Eric because it's probably one of the most polarizing shows Adult Swim has ever had. People either love it, or REALLY hate it. It's also one of those shows that gets funnier the more you see it, and if you happen to be under the influence on any elicit stuff, well it won't hurt your enjoyment either.
The second season of Tim & Eric is now available on DVD so if this looks to be your thing, I suggest picking it up, I know I will.
DVD releases for Feb 17th.
- Alien Raiders
- The Beverly Hillbillies: The Official Third Season
- Body of Lies (Full Screen)
- Body of Lies (Two-Disc Special Edition)
- Body of Lies (Widescreen)
- Changeling
- Dead Like Me: Life After Death
- Feast III: The Happy Finish
- Flash of Genius
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Extended Edition)
- Hounddog
- How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
- I Served the King of England
- The Midnight Meat Train
- Out at the Wedding
- Quarantine
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest: The Complete First Season
- Religulous
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: The Fifth Season
- Still Waiting... (Unrated)
- The Beverly Hillbillies: The Official Third Season
- Body of Lies (Full Screen)
- Body of Lies (Two-Disc Special Edition)
- Body of Lies (Widescreen)
- Changeling
- Dead Like Me: Life After Death
- Feast III: The Happy Finish
- Flash of Genius
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Extended Edition)
- Hounddog
- How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
- I Served the King of England
- The Midnight Meat Train
- Out at the Wedding
- Quarantine
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest: The Complete First Season
- Religulous
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: The Fifth Season
- Still Waiting... (Unrated)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Watchmen: Snyder's take
***WARNING-SPOILERS***
This is just a quick comparison of what the producers had in mind for the Watchmen movie and the changes that Zack Snyder has made since he's been on board. All I have to say is if you're not a fan of a certain comic book, don't attempt to make a movie based on that book, please! (Are you listening, Brett Ratner?)
Pre-Snyder:
- Film is set in 2005
- The Comedian and Manhattan are hunting down Osama Bin Laden
- The Minutemen are called The Watchmen and the Crimebusters are called The New Watchmen
- Mothman, Captain Metropolis, Silhouette, and Hooded Justice, the two Bernies, and many other secondary characters were removed.
- Hollis Mason breaks up Sally Jupiter's sexual assault.
- New dialogue was written for all the characters. Each line was a true butchery of the characters. Rorschach even spoke in full sentences!
- No more Comedian funeral flashbacks, Mars flashbacks, or Rorschach theropy session flashbacks. Although they were in the script, the studio would have removed them (Snyder even said that WB were trying to force his hand to remove them).
- Laurie is now called Slingslot and has superpowers given to her by Manhattan.
- Manhattan, or more specifically Jon Osterman, would have been black (seriously).
- No Bernies obviously means no Tales of the Black Freighter.
- Due to the moved timeline there are hundreds of plotholes.
- No Bubastis.
- Instead of the alien there is a fake Manhattan attack with odd voiceovers by a fake Manhattan. The energy attacks come from Karnak (very subtle).
- Veidt dies, thereby killing the themes and point of the story.
- Seymour picks up Rorshach's journal, completely destroying the open ending the book had.
- Film would be shot in a MTV style quick cut, choppy editing.
- Running time would be a little over 2 hours.
Snyder's film:
- Film is set in 1985
- The Minutemen are called The Minutemen and the Crimebusters are unnamed, but due to WB's request the name Watchmen will be used as a slur to describe all superheroes.
- Mothman, Captain Metropolis, Silhouette, and Hooded Justice, the two Bernies, and many other secondary characters were added back in.
- All of the two Bernie's scenes in the book were filmed.
- Tales of the Black Freighter is an animated film that will be edited into the Director's Cut.
- Hooded Justice breaks up Sally Jupiter's sexual assault.
- New dialogue was kept to a minimum. Most of the dialogue was taken right from the book.
- The Comedian funeral flashbacks, Mars flashbacks, and Rorschach theropy session flashbacks are in.
- Laurie is the second Silk Spectre and has no superpowers.
- Osterman is white.
- The timeline is the same as the book's.
- Bubastis is in.
- Instead of the alien there is a fake Manhattan attack with no odd voiceovers by a fake Manhattan. The energy attacks no longer come from Karnak, but appear at their destinations almost like they were teleported there. People who have seen the film say it is an elegant ending and generally keeps the thematical purpose and themes that the alien has in the book.
- Veidt lives.
- Seymour's hand hovers above the journal before the film cuts to black (like the book's).
- A classical slow and steady directing approach is used.
- 2 hour 35 minute theatrical runtime; almost 4 hour Director's Cut runtime.
This is just a quick comparison of what the producers had in mind for the Watchmen movie and the changes that Zack Snyder has made since he's been on board. All I have to say is if you're not a fan of a certain comic book, don't attempt to make a movie based on that book, please! (Are you listening, Brett Ratner?)
Pre-Snyder:
- Film is set in 2005
- The Comedian and Manhattan are hunting down Osama Bin Laden
- The Minutemen are called The Watchmen and the Crimebusters are called The New Watchmen
- Mothman, Captain Metropolis, Silhouette, and Hooded Justice, the two Bernies, and many other secondary characters were removed.
- Hollis Mason breaks up Sally Jupiter's sexual assault.
- New dialogue was written for all the characters. Each line was a true butchery of the characters. Rorschach even spoke in full sentences!
- No more Comedian funeral flashbacks, Mars flashbacks, or Rorschach theropy session flashbacks. Although they were in the script, the studio would have removed them (Snyder even said that WB were trying to force his hand to remove them).
- Laurie is now called Slingslot and has superpowers given to her by Manhattan.
- Manhattan, or more specifically Jon Osterman, would have been black (seriously).
- No Bernies obviously means no Tales of the Black Freighter.
- Due to the moved timeline there are hundreds of plotholes.
- No Bubastis.
- Instead of the alien there is a fake Manhattan attack with odd voiceovers by a fake Manhattan. The energy attacks come from Karnak (very subtle).
- Veidt dies, thereby killing the themes and point of the story.
- Seymour picks up Rorshach's journal, completely destroying the open ending the book had.
- Film would be shot in a MTV style quick cut, choppy editing.
- Running time would be a little over 2 hours.
Snyder's film:
- Film is set in 1985
- The Minutemen are called The Minutemen and the Crimebusters are unnamed, but due to WB's request the name Watchmen will be used as a slur to describe all superheroes.
- Mothman, Captain Metropolis, Silhouette, and Hooded Justice, the two Bernies, and many other secondary characters were added back in.
- All of the two Bernie's scenes in the book were filmed.
- Tales of the Black Freighter is an animated film that will be edited into the Director's Cut.
- Hooded Justice breaks up Sally Jupiter's sexual assault.
- New dialogue was kept to a minimum. Most of the dialogue was taken right from the book.
- The Comedian funeral flashbacks, Mars flashbacks, and Rorschach theropy session flashbacks are in.
- Laurie is the second Silk Spectre and has no superpowers.
- Osterman is white.
- The timeline is the same as the book's.
- Bubastis is in.
- Instead of the alien there is a fake Manhattan attack with no odd voiceovers by a fake Manhattan. The energy attacks no longer come from Karnak, but appear at their destinations almost like they were teleported there. People who have seen the film say it is an elegant ending and generally keeps the thematical purpose and themes that the alien has in the book.
- Veidt lives.
- Seymour's hand hovers above the journal before the film cuts to black (like the book's).
- A classical slow and steady directing approach is used.
- 2 hour 35 minute theatrical runtime; almost 4 hour Director's Cut runtime.
Happy Valentine's Day
Ah, St. Valentines Day...Much in the spirit of Election Day, today is a day in which all Americans must make a choice. You really only have three to choose from: Be single, spend money, or look like a jerk (that goes for you too, ladies). Well, while your deciding which way to go, why not enjoy the latest Happy Tree Friends episode, "I Heart U" made specifically to capture the romance of this most cherished of days.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friday the 13th 'Spoilers': Review
Last October I posted a number of spoilers basically describing Jason's kill list in chronological order. Let's see how the list held up, shall we?
[From October ]
[From October ]
- [B+] Don't expect this to be an origin story. They're skipping the appetizers and going right for the main course, focusing mainly on the timeline that would have technically fallen between 13th's 2-4.
- [A-] The supernatural aspect of Jason is all but gone. He is still exceptionally strong and he runs a lot more often than we've gotten used to, but if you want to know how he really gets around so fast -Jason has somehow taken the time to dig out huge underground tunnels to allow for quicker access to different areas of the woods.
- [C+] Ah, that hockey mask! Making it's debut in part 3, Jason takes the mask from a practical joker who, ironically, used it tend pretend to be a killer to scare the pants off of a girl he was, ironically, trying to get out of her pants. makes his way back from the woods with a hefty cargo of weed, he retires inside for a little 'barn burning' (if you know what I mean). As he puts on this strangely familiar hockey mask, he sees Mr. Voorhees descending from the second floor. Not missing a beat, he exclaims, "You're the one stealing all the kerosene!...Oh no! You can have it!... You don't need that man!...Put it away!" After a quick decapitation, Jason grabs the mask and examines it [END SCENE]. As iconic as a scene this would have been, they don't even bother showing him slip the mask on for the first time, they just move on. The crowd would go nuts! I definitely hope they re-think that decision. Though he does start with that stylish sack-head look from part 2, Jason decides to upgrade when he 'borrows' the mask from a redneck stoner. As Toke-em-up Joe
- The thing that Jason does best (except for Guitar Hero) is rack up a body count. Want to know the who's & how's? Well, we've got them right here:
- [A+] Guy dies by a machete to the neck area after finding a bush of weed.
- [A+] Girl is put into a sleeping bag and tied above the campfire, suffocating and burning her, though it was probably more the asphyxiation than the fire that killed her. She falls out of the sleeping back and to the right of the fire.
- [A+] Boyfriend of redhead chick gets pulled into the floor of the Voorhees cabin after being stabbed in the foot and hand from below as he's crawling across the floor.
- [A+] Boyfriend of the sleeping bag girl, while trying to save her, gets caught in a bear trap. Redhead appears and tries to save him, but Jason runs up from behind and sticks his machete vertically into his head. He runs towards redhead, swings and fade to black...[OPENING TITLE]. ***At this point the main cast is shown arriving a large, expensive cabin.
- [B-] Stoner redneck death [from mask acquisition]. Takes place in a barn workshop or something. Jason grabs his head, decapitates him, takes the mask off the head and looks at it.
- [A+] Arrow through the head of the guy driving the speedboat that's pulling a topless blonde chick as she water skis or something.
- [A+] Water skiing girl gets hit by the speedboat but lives. She goes under the dock and see's Jason walking above. He turns away and we see her kinda relax and then -a machete into her brain. Jason pulls her up for a corny reveal of her fake boobs and pulls the machete out of her head, letting her fall back into the water.
- [A+] Chewie (Aaron Yoo) gets killed by a rod into the throat in the tool shed.
- [A+] Token black guy goes out to look for Chewie only to meet Jason. He runs away after hitting Jason a few times only to get an axe thrown into his back. He screams for help but his friends in the cabin don't respond.
- [A] Blonde chick with the ONLY real set of boobs, gets grabbed from behind by Jason in the bathroom. He holds her mouth closed and pinches her nose, suffocating her. Then sticks her on the coat hanger on the door.
- [A+] Police officer gets a fire poker through the eye, sticking him to the front door.
- [A] Guy that did it with blonde chick with real boobs gets macheted from behind through the back and chest as he's checking who is in the truck that almost hit him. Jason throws him onto the back of the truck and he gets hauled off in a crucifix position with his feet dragging on the ground.
- [A] After finding the redhead, her bro and brown haired chick try to escape through the tunnel below the Voorhees cabin. Brown haired chick gets stabbed multiple times through her back right when she's about to exit the whole in the wall.
- [A+] Jason "dies" after the redhead and her brother tie a chain around his neck and throw the other end into a wood grinder or chipper. Jason's neck snaps.
- [A+] So, how does end? Well, somehow they drag Jason's body to the lake, push him into the lake without the mask, then the main guy kicks the mask into the lake. Redhead drops the necklace with the picture of Jason's mom into the water. Jason does his Kool-Aid guy impression by busting through the wooden dock and it fades to black as he grabs the redhead.
TMNT: SMASH UP for the Wii
Although I do love a good fighting game, I feel like many times they are too cookie-cutter and repetitive. But unless I hear something horrible about this game before I get a chance to shell out the money for it, this game is going to be spinning in my Wii console on day one. From the makers of the fan favorite Super Smash Bros. Brawl comes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up, a 3-D environment fighting game featuring characters who were born to star in a fighting game (they're ninjas for crying out loud!) as well as other characters from the entire turtle universe. This isn't the first TMNT fighting game and it hasn't been that long since the last TMNT game hit consoles, but it has been quite a while since the turtles have been featured in a game that has players glued to their televisions for irrational periods of time (like the original NES game). This game definitely has the potential to log quite a bit more hours from players than some of the recent incarnations of TMNT games. I guess will just have to wait until Fall 2009 to see.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
CHAD AFTER THE DENTIST
Here's everyone's favorite Sith sibling, Chad Vader, in a parody of David After the Dentist, a popular online video about a young boy's first experience being...medicated.
In case you've never actually seen David After the Dentist, here it is:
In case you've never actually seen David After the Dentist, here it is:
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
X-Men cartoon comes to DVD
Uh oh, I can hear the synthesized music playing in my head already! Fans of the old 90's X-Men cartoon rejoice, because it looks like the long wait is over. Buena Vista Home Entertainment has officially announced that the X-Men cartoon will be coming to DVD starting with the first two releases on April 28th, 2009. The two volumes will contain a combined 32 episodes for a total run-time 759 minutes (that's over 12 1/2 hours of mutant goodness!), including the 5-part Pheonix Saga! Whether there will be future releases or not is still yet to be seen, but this should definitely scratch that itch...at least for a little while. In case you were wondering, I've included a list of the episodes contained on each disc.
VOLUME 1
[Disc 1]
-Night of the Sentinels (Part 1)
-Night of the Sentinels (Part 2)
-Enter Magneto
-Deadly Reunions
-Captive Hearts
-Cold Vengeance
-Slave Island
-The Unstoppable Juggernaut
[Disc 2]
-The Cure
-Come The Apocalypse
-Days Of Future Past (Part 1)
-Days Of Future Past (Part 2)
-The Final Decision
-Till Death Do Us Part (Part 1)
-Till Death Do Us Part (Part 2)
-Whatever It Takes
VOLUME 2
[Disc 1]
-Red Dawn
-Repo Man
-X-Ternally Yours
-Time Fugitives (Part 1)
-Time Fugitives (Part 2)
-A Rogue's Tale
-Beauty & The Beast
-Mojo Vision
[Disc 2]
-Reunion (Part 1)
-Reunion (Part 2)
-Out of the Past (Part 1)
-Out of the Past (Part 2)
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 1): Sacrifice
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 2): The Dark Shroud
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 3): Cry of the Banshee
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 4): The Starjammers
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 5): Child of Light
VOLUME 1
[Disc 1]
-Night of the Sentinels (Part 1)
-Night of the Sentinels (Part 2)
-Enter Magneto
-Deadly Reunions
-Captive Hearts
-Cold Vengeance
-Slave Island
-The Unstoppable Juggernaut
[Disc 2]
-The Cure
-Come The Apocalypse
-Days Of Future Past (Part 1)
-Days Of Future Past (Part 2)
-The Final Decision
-Till Death Do Us Part (Part 1)
-Till Death Do Us Part (Part 2)
-Whatever It Takes
VOLUME 2
[Disc 1]
-Red Dawn
-Repo Man
-X-Ternally Yours
-Time Fugitives (Part 1)
-Time Fugitives (Part 2)
-A Rogue's Tale
-Beauty & The Beast
-Mojo Vision
[Disc 2]
-Reunion (Part 1)
-Reunion (Part 2)
-Out of the Past (Part 1)
-Out of the Past (Part 2)
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 1): Sacrifice
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 2): The Dark Shroud
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 3): Cry of the Banshee
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 4): The Starjammers
-The Phoenix Saga (Part 5): Child of Light
"Archive footage" from the world of Watchmen
In case you haven't seen them, there have been a string of viral videos representing newsreels and footage from inside Watchmen continuity. It's just a little something to introduce the Watchmen world to newcomers and whet the whistle of fans eager to see the highly anticipated film.
NBS Nightly News with Ted Philips -March 11th, 1970
The Keene Act & YOU (1977)
"Unaired" Ozymandius Toy Ad (1985)
NBS Nightly News with Ted Philips -March 11th, 1970
The Keene Act & YOU (1977)
"Unaired" Ozymandius Toy Ad (1985)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Cival War?
Last year when Activision first released information on Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion, it seemed like a nice ensemble game of good versus evil, much like the previous incarnation, as seen in this 2008 trailer:
The new trailer unveiled at the this year's NYCC just days ago, however, definitely makes the game look a lot more like hero versus hero in what appears to be a video game version of the blockbuster Marvel mini-series Civil War.
Though, the game is simply being marketed as "Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2" (the "Fusion" has now been dropped), many of the screen shots depict scenes straight out the pages of the Civil War storyline, in which (after a horrible accident in Stamford, just like in the game) the government has decided that superhumans are too dangerous to work outside of government control and have (with the help of Iron Douchebag Tony Stark) passed he Superhuman Registration Act, which makes it illegal for any superhero to live in the U.S. without registering their powers and personal information, but everyone knows that heroes protect their identities to protect their loved ones. Anyone who does not comply is considered a criminal and will be hunted down by the government's pro-registration "heroes" lead by the golden boy himself Iron Man. In a surprising twist, Captain America (now branded a criminal and hated by the majority of the population the he is standing up for) becomes the leader of the those rebelling against this government sanction, believing that it violates every American's civil rights. The trailer shows Captain America being apprehended by Agent Maria Hill and Shield much like in the comic (the outcome of Civil War is what directly lead to the assassination of Captain America). It also appears that the heroes in the game have chosen the same sides as in the comic. Well, if the game is anything even close to the Marvel story, I say bring it on.
The new trailer unveiled at the this year's NYCC just days ago, however, definitely makes the game look a lot more like hero versus hero in what appears to be a video game version of the blockbuster Marvel mini-series Civil War.
Though, the game is simply being marketed as "Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2" (the "Fusion" has now been dropped), many of the screen shots depict scenes straight out the pages of the Civil War storyline, in which (after a horrible accident in Stamford, just like in the game) the government has decided that superhumans are too dangerous to work outside of government control and have (with the help of Iron Douchebag Tony Stark) passed he Superhuman Registration Act, which makes it illegal for any superhero to live in the U.S. without registering their powers and personal information, but everyone knows that heroes protect their identities to protect their loved ones. Anyone who does not comply is considered a criminal and will be hunted down by the government's pro-registration "heroes" lead by the golden boy himself Iron Man. In a surprising twist, Captain America (now branded a criminal and hated by the majority of the population the he is standing up for) becomes the leader of the those rebelling against this government sanction, believing that it violates every American's civil rights. The trailer shows Captain America being apprehended by Agent Maria Hill and Shield much like in the comic (the outcome of Civil War is what directly lead to the assassination of Captain America). It also appears that the heroes in the game have chosen the same sides as in the comic. Well, if the game is anything even close to the Marvel story, I say bring it on.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
FANBOYS
Finally, after multiple delays and more controversy than R. Kelly's home videos, Fanboys graces the theaters this weekend...finally (again). 
Originally scheduled for release on August 17, 2007, Fanboys had already been screened by George Lucas, who not only gave it two thumbs up, but allowed the filmmakers to use official Star Wars sound FX to enhance the overall feel of the film. Director Kevin Smith was so taken by the screening that he saw that he asked for a cameo in the film, to which the filmmakers gladly obliged. In fact, the film was getting such positive feedback that director Kyle Newman was given extra funding AFTER shooting the film, which he was more than happy to use to shoot additional scenes. The problem with that? He wouldn't be able to get the ensemble back together again until about a month after the movie was scheduled to be released. Now, I'm no expert but I would have to think that may a cause a logistical problem or three. The solution? Postpone the release. Now the film was looking at an early 2008 date. Due to some executive decisions, additional shooting would not take place until around the end of the year and without Newman.
Steven Brill was brought in to "lighten the film". He would remove the main subplot that Linus (played by Chris Marquette) was suffering from terminal cancer and inject the film with more cheap laughs and vulgarities...you know, for entertainment value (must be shooting for an Oscar). Now there existed two versions of the film, so the Weinstein Company decided to screen both version to audiences in Burbank and see which was more well-received. It was decided at this point that the film would now be released around April, 2008. Dedicated fans berated Brill for his uninspired butchering of the film and an online campaign was started to have the film released closer to Newman's original vision. Brill retaliated with barrage of slurs and profanities in response to people's comments, including calling the fans losers and even threatening to hunt one person down.
Newman responded to Brill's action in one interview saying:
"If you're going to go in and re-cut someone's film even though you're not even a fan of the subject matter, just because you want a paycheck, you're not passionate about it, then do that. But don't go opening your mouth and alienating the core audience of that movie. I just thought that was the most low class thing that you could do, especially considering there are so many people that worked years and years and years on this"
Ultimately, the fans' voices were heard and the producers brought Kyle Newman back in to re-edit the film closer to his original vision, including the cancer storyline (which is really the main motivation of the film). Newman and his original team were given a mere 36 hours to come in and re-edit the film. The final version of the film was screened at the 2008 San Diego Comicon, where it was announced that Fanboys would be in theaters on September 19. After the film was pushed back again to November 26, fans eager to see the film began to lose hope that it would ever get released. When the film missed it's November release, it was rumored the Fanboys would now be a DVD release, so when the Weinstein Company announced a release date for February 6 it became a "I'll believe it when I see it" type of situation. Well, I saw it. I believed it. And I LOVED it. I can't wait to see what they do with the DVD considering how much footage they have. It should be...interesting.
FANBOYS 2008 TRAILER
FANBOYS 2009 TRAILER
FANBOYS: BEHIND THE SCENES
Originally scheduled for release on August 17, 2007, Fanboys had already been screened by George Lucas, who not only gave it two thumbs up, but allowed the filmmakers to use official Star Wars sound FX to enhance the overall feel of the film. Director Kevin Smith was so taken by the screening that he saw that he asked for a cameo in the film, to which the filmmakers gladly obliged. In fact, the film was getting such positive feedback that director Kyle Newman was given extra funding AFTER shooting the film, which he was more than happy to use to shoot additional scenes. The problem with that? He wouldn't be able to get the ensemble back together again until about a month after the movie was scheduled to be released. Now, I'm no expert but I would have to think that may a cause a logistical problem or three. The solution? Postpone the release. Now the film was looking at an early 2008 date. Due to some executive decisions, additional shooting would not take place until around the end of the year and without Newman.Steven Brill was brought in to "lighten the film". He would remove the main subplot that Linus (played by Chris Marquette) was suffering from terminal cancer and inject the film with more cheap laughs and vulgarities...you know, for entertainment value (must be shooting for an Oscar). Now there existed two versions of the film, so the Weinstein Company decided to screen both version to audiences in Burbank and see which was more well-received. It was decided at this point that the film would now be released around April, 2008. Dedicated fans berated Brill for his uninspired butchering of the film and an online campaign was started to have the film released closer to Newman's original vision. Brill retaliated with barrage of slurs and profanities in response to people's comments, including calling the fans losers and even threatening to hunt one person down.
Newman responded to Brill's action in one interview saying:
"If you're going to go in and re-cut someone's film even though you're not even a fan of the subject matter, just because you want a paycheck, you're not passionate about it, then do that. But don't go opening your mouth and alienating the core audience of that movie. I just thought that was the most low class thing that you could do, especially considering there are so many people that worked years and years and years on this"
Ultimately, the fans' voices were heard and the producers brought Kyle Newman back in to re-edit the film closer to his original vision, including the cancer storyline (which is really the main motivation of the film). Newman and his original team were given a mere 36 hours to come in and re-edit the film. The final version of the film was screened at the 2008 San Diego Comicon, where it was announced that Fanboys would be in theaters on September 19. After the film was pushed back again to November 26, fans eager to see the film began to lose hope that it would ever get released. When the film missed it's November release, it was rumored the Fanboys would now be a DVD release, so when the Weinstein Company announced a release date for February 6 it became a "I'll believe it when I see it" type of situation. Well, I saw it. I believed it. And I LOVED it. I can't wait to see what they do with the DVD considering how much footage they have. It should be...interesting.
FANBOYS 2008 TRAILER
FANBOYS 2009 TRAILER
FANBOYS: BEHIND THE SCENES
TALES OF THE BLACK FREIGHTER DVD
If you've read Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons classic graphic novel Watchmen and you're anticipating the upcoming film adaptation, you've got to be asking yourself, "How exactly are 
they going to work the secondary material like The Black Freighter into the film?" Well, the answer is...they won't. Instead they will be releasing Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter & Under the Hood (which is a story within the story of the Watchmen graphic novel) on DVD to enhance the theatrical release of the film. How much would you pay? -don't answer yet, because as an added bonus the DVD will include the live-action/CGI mockumentary Under the Hood based on the book written by Hollis Mason (the first Nite Owl). NOW how much would you pay? -but wait there's more. This special DVD will also feature: Story Within a story: The Books of Watchmen, a first look at the Green Lantern animated feature, and a digital copy (Blu-ray only). How much would you be willing to pay for this much entertaiment? It doesn't matter because your probably going to pay from $14.99 to $21.99 depending on where you purchase it. The Black Freighter will be in stores on March 24th. (Although, currently Amazon has a 2-disc special edition listed to come out on March 3, the same day as the film. Perplexing...)
they going to work the secondary material like The Black Freighter into the film?" Well, the answer is...they won't. Instead they will be releasing Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter & Under the Hood (which is a story within the story of the Watchmen graphic novel) on DVD to enhance the theatrical release of the film. How much would you pay? -don't answer yet, because as an added bonus the DVD will include the live-action/CGI mockumentary Under the Hood based on the book written by Hollis Mason (the first Nite Owl). NOW how much would you pay? -but wait there's more. This special DVD will also feature: Story Within a story: The Books of Watchmen, a first look at the Green Lantern animated feature, and a digital copy (Blu-ray only). How much would you be willing to pay for this much entertaiment? It doesn't matter because your probably going to pay from $14.99 to $21.99 depending on where you purchase it. The Black Freighter will be in stores on March 24th. (Although, currently Amazon has a 2-disc special edition listed to come out on March 3, the same day as the film. Perplexing...)UPDATE!!!
More news from the Watchmen home video front -Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic that many of you have been enjoying on iTunes is also making it's way to DVD/Blu-ray. Of 
course, you can still watch the episodes on iTunes right now and pay about the same as you would for the discs, but it's really a matter of preference. The Watchmen motion comic was actually very impressive. It really captured the story and the feel of the book. My one criticism would be that these guys couldn't spring to have a girl do the female voice? I mean, COME ON! You don't have a sister or a wife that you could pay with cookies or something? Eitherway, the motion comic hits shelves March 3 as Watchmen makes it to theaters. Now you can get up early, go get the motion comic and then go see the movie and know what to expect (until the new ending)...or you could have read the graphic novel way before then. It's really your choice. It doesn't matter to me. Whatever.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
DVD releases for Feb 10th.
- Against the Dark
- Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk
- Back to the Future (Special Edition)
- Back to the Future Part II (Special Edition)
- Back to the Future Part III (Special Edition)
- Blindness
- Chocolate
- Dorothy Mills
- The Enforcer (Special Collector’s Edition)
- Fist of the Warrior
- Friday the 13th: The Series - The Second Season
- Frozen River
- Gospel Hill
- The Lodger
- Melrose Place: The Fifth Season, Volume One
- Miracle at St. Anna
- My Name is Bruce
- Nascar: The Ride of Their Lives
- Nights in Rodanthe
- Phineas and Ferb: The Daze of Summer
- Red Mist
- Red Victoria
- Sam Elliot Westerns Collection
- Shaun the Sheep: Back in the Ba-a-ath
- Soul Men
- Street Fighter (Extreme Edition)
- Tales from the Darkside: The First Season
- VeggieTales: Abe and the Amazing Promise
- W.
- Way of War
- What Just Happened
- Wizards of Waverly Place: Supernaturally Stylin'
- Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Mystery of the Easter Chipmunk
- Back to the Future (Special Edition)
- Back to the Future Part II (Special Edition)
- Back to the Future Part III (Special Edition)
- Blindness
- Chocolate
- Dorothy Mills
- The Enforcer (Special Collector’s Edition)
- Fist of the Warrior
- Friday the 13th: The Series - The Second Season
- Frozen River
- Gospel Hill
- The Lodger
- Melrose Place: The Fifth Season, Volume One
- Miracle at St. Anna
- My Name is Bruce
- Nascar: The Ride of Their Lives
- Nights in Rodanthe
- Phineas and Ferb: The Daze of Summer
- Red Mist
- Red Victoria
- Sam Elliot Westerns Collection
- Shaun the Sheep: Back in the Ba-a-ath
- Soul Men
- Street Fighter (Extreme Edition)
- Tales from the Darkside: The First Season
- VeggieTales: Abe and the Amazing Promise
- W.
- Way of War
- What Just Happened
- Wizards of Waverly Place: Supernaturally Stylin'
Batman vs 'Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe'
Batman gets pwned trying to play as himself in Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. "That's what I did to Lois last night" -awesome.
Buffy Season 8 from Dark Horse
Like many, I thought "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" looked pretty silly when it was originally on the air. Eventually though, a coworker bullied me into borrowing her DVD collection and I finally becam
e privy to the fact that it was one of the greatest television shows ever, and it's creator Joss Whedon is a genius. Just when fans were finally coming to terms with the fact the show was gone forever, Dark Horse Comics gives us one of the coolest treats ever with Buffy Season 8.
Why is this comic so great? Well, aside from picking up where the show left off and showing us the continuing adventures of Buffy and the rest of the Scoobies, and amazing painted covers by Jo Chen, the writers who originally worked on the show are working on the comic.
That's right, Joss Whedon is still the Executive Producer, and the current story arc is written by Jane Espenson, who penned many a great Buffy episode and is currently working on a little show called "Battlestar Galactica".
Seriously, it doesn't get much better than this, the latest issue has Sunnydale alum, turned Vampire, Harmony as the star of her own MTV reality series! There is now an army of slayers working in squads across the globe, and all of your favorite supporting players have made apperances, even Dracula!
In just 21 issues, Buffy has been to Japan, traveled into the future, tussled with the fallen Slayer Faith, got into a big old fight with Giles, and even had time for a lesbian affair (he he!). If you're one of those people who "doesn't read comics" don't sweat it, every 5 issues is collected into a graphic novel so you can just get those and save yourself the monthly trips to the comic store. If you never watched Buffy, do yourself a favor, after slapping yourself in the face for such a grevious transgression, go Netflix all 7 seven seasons right now. If you watched the show, go read Buffy season 8. If you are one of those Buffy fans who says- "I like having the show end when it ended, and I like to remember it just like that" Slap yourself in the face twice! What the heck is wrong with you!? Buffy Season 8 rocks!
e privy to the fact that it was one of the greatest television shows ever, and it's creator Joss Whedon is a genius. Just when fans were finally coming to terms with the fact the show was gone forever, Dark Horse Comics gives us one of the coolest treats ever with Buffy Season 8.Why is this comic so great? Well, aside from picking up where the show left off and showing us the continuing adventures of Buffy and the rest of the Scoobies, and amazing painted covers by Jo Chen, the writers who originally worked on the show are working on the comic.
That's right, Joss Whedon is still the Executive Producer, and the current story arc is written by Jane Espenson, who penned many a great Buffy episode and is currently working on a little show called "Battlestar Galactica".
Seriously, it doesn't get much better than this, the latest issue has Sunnydale alum, turned Vampire, Harmony as the star of her own MTV reality series! There is now an army of slayers working in squads across the globe, and all of your favorite supporting players have made apperances, even Dracula!
In just 21 issues, Buffy has been to Japan, traveled into the future, tussled with the fallen Slayer Faith, got into a big old fight with Giles, and even had time for a lesbian affair (he he!). If you're one of those people who "doesn't read comics" don't sweat it, every 5 issues is collected into a graphic novel so you can just get those and save yourself the monthly trips to the comic store. If you never watched Buffy, do yourself a favor, after slapping yourself in the face for such a grevious transgression, go Netflix all 7 seven seasons right now. If you watched the show, go read Buffy season 8. If you are one of those Buffy fans who says- "I like having the show end when it ended, and I like to remember it just like that" Slap yourself in the face twice! What the heck is wrong with you!? Buffy Season 8 rocks!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
KIWI
Kiwi is a touching CG short that shows that sometimes it's worth everything to be able to make your dreams come true, even if only for a second. And I mean everything.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
SIN CITY is coming to Blu-Ray
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment just announced that fans of the Sin City
movie will finally be able to get their Blu-ray fix when Sin City: Unrated, Recut, and Extended makes it's way to Blu-ray players on April 21st of this year. The disc set will feature both the theatrical and re-cut versions of the film. On the bonus features front, the set will include all of the extras from the earlier re-cut DVD, plus a "Kill 'Em Good" interactive comic and a Cine Explore visual commentary. It's possible that other extras will also be included. Not much information is available at this point. Now if we could just get the Weinsteins to release Kill Bill in the promised "The Whole Bloody Affair" edition with both installments re-edited back into one long movie like it was meant to and Grindhouse in all it's original theatrical goodness like Japan got, that would be quite the trifecta of movie bliss.
movie will finally be able to get their Blu-ray fix when Sin City: Unrated, Recut, and Extended makes it's way to Blu-ray players on April 21st of this year. The disc set will feature both the theatrical and re-cut versions of the film. On the bonus features front, the set will include all of the extras from the earlier re-cut DVD, plus a "Kill 'Em Good" interactive comic and a Cine Explore visual commentary. It's possible that other extras will also be included. Not much information is available at this point. Now if we could just get the Weinsteins to release Kill Bill in the promised "The Whole Bloody Affair" edition with both installments re-edited back into one long movie like it was meant to and Grindhouse in all it's original theatrical goodness like Japan got, that would be quite the trifecta of movie bliss.Transition to Digital TV delayed
Haven't gotten your digital converter box yet and you're stressing out about the coming change? Well, you can relax
, at least for a little bit longer. This afternoon the House of Representatives have given analog television a temporary stay of execution at a vote of 264-158. Those jerks who voted against the delay claimed to be doing so for honorable reasons, but I would say it's more likely that those individuals have had their pockets lined by the digital cable companies who are waiting in the wings to profit from the transition. Anyway, here's the whole story:
[FROM MSNBC]
The House voted today 264-158 to delay the analog TV shutdown until June 12.
, at least for a little bit longer. This afternoon the House of Representatives have given analog television a temporary stay of execution at a vote of 264-158. Those jerks who voted against the delay claimed to be doing so for honorable reasons, but I would say it's more likely that those individuals have had their pockets lined by the digital cable companies who are waiting in the wings to profit from the transition. Anyway, here's the whole story:[FROM MSNBC]
The House voted today 264-158 to delay the analog TV shutdown until June 12.
The nation was two weeks away from the original date of Feb. 17 for the digital transition, allowing broadcasters to replace analog TV signals with digital ones.
But the Obama administration and many Democrats asked for the delay, saying millions of people are not ready for the switch. The bill, already approved by the Senate, now goes to the president for his approval, considered a given. Still be resolved is the funding needed for more coupons to help consumers offset the cost of converter boxes. That issue will likely be considered as part of the economic stimulus legislation.
“The legislation passed by Congress provides more time for Americans to prepare for the (digital) transition and will allow more time for the government to fix the coupon program," said David Rehron, president of the National Association of Broadcasters.Opponents of the delay said it will cause confusion for consumers, and that it is not fair to the wireless companies, including AT&T and Verizon Wireless, as well as public safety agencies that are waiting to use part of the airwave spectrum that will go to them once the switch is made.
"It's time for us to move forward on this and keep our word to the American people," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., calling for the transition to proceed Feb. 17.
With a nation in economic turmoil, the last thing on the to-do list of legislators should have been the transition to digital television. The changeover has been planned for years, yet the last 12 months were marked by public confusion about the switch and bureaucratic and political wrangling over a coupon program aimed at subsidizing the cost of converter boxes.
Yet the signs of trouble were there: the coupon subsidy program was running out of money, waiting lists were growing, and not enough public education in general was being done about the transition, the coupon program or how to hook up the converter boxes, which some have found troublesome.
“When government took their hands off the steering wheel of public education, a lot of confusion crept into the marketplace,” said Joel Kelsey, policy analyst for Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports.
The Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration dispute that, pointing to what the agencies see as extensive education efforts, supplanted by those from private industry groups like the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Broadcasters.
The NAB, for example, started its educational campaign in November 2006, according to Shermaze Ingram of the organization.
Misconceptions continue
Still, as late as October, 41 percent of Americans “believed every single TV needs to be a digital TV in order to get a signal,” said Kelsey, citing a Consumers Union poll.
“About 25 percent believe that every television, whether it’s digital or not, whether it’s hooked up to cable or not, has to have a converter box. And 21 percent believe everyone needs to sign up for cable or satellite service in order to keep a picture on their television sets. Consumers remain extremely confused.”
TVs do not have to be digital, but they do need to be able receive digital broadcasts. The main ways to do that are by buying a converter box to take a TV’s signal from analog to digital, and using an antenna as well; subscribing to a cable or satellite service; or buying a digital TV.
The Nielsen Co. said recently that while 85 percent of households are ready for the digital transition, nearly 6 percent are not at all, and another 9 percent are “partially ready.”
“Partially ready” means “you may have four TV sets in the house, and three are connected to cable and one is an analog set that isn’t,” said Anne Elliot of the Nielsen Co. “It means at least one working TV set in the household would not be able to get a digital signal.” That set could be one that is “used in the kids’ bedroom to watch DVDs,” for example, she said.
Some have moved to new TVs
A year ago, the digital transition was reason enough for many to justify signing up for cable or satellite service or to buy a new TV. At the end of 2007, more than 50 percent of American households owned a digital television, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
In February 2008, the NTIA started making available two $40 coupons per household to help offset the cost of two converter boxes, which range from $50 to $80 each.
The coupons are only good for 90 days, and that, too, became part of the problem early on. If consumers were requesting the coupons, many weren’t redeeming them. By mid-April, for example, nearly 11 million coupons had been requested, with more than 500,000 of them redeemed, said Todd Sedmak, NTIA communications director.
In the first half of last year, there were limited choices of converter boxes on the market. And some consumers may have set aside the coupons and forgotten about them.
Coupon problems
During the summer, when more converter boxes went on store shelves, efforts to extend the 90-day expiration date were rejected by Congress.
At the end of the year, the NTIA said the $1.34 billion funding ceiling for the coupon program was about to be reached. As of last week, more than 47 million coupons had been mailed out since the program began.
More than 21 million of the coupons have been redeemed, while more than 14 million of them expired. Meanwhile, more than 3 million people are on a waiting list for the coupons.
The way in which the coupons are redeemed has also been an issue. Brick-and-mortar retailers like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Radio Shack require in-store redemption, while some of the better converter box deals — including those for the cost of a coupon — can be found online.
“We think retailers need to have cheaper options available, and not just boxes for between $50 to $80,” said Kelsey. “With a $40 coupon, that’s still a relatively significant cost for someone who once got something — television transmission — for free.”
And like many things technological, setting up the boxes has not been a snap for everyone.
“It’s about as easy to setup a converter box as it is to set up a VCR,” said Kelsey. “That said, it’s not easy for everyone. So if you’re not used to this, or you’re not technically inclined, a lot of folks are wondering what to do and how to hook it up.”
Once the boxes are connected, getting a signal can still be a problem and an antenna may be needed. There’s no subsidy program for antennae, and some can be expensive.
More time for preparation
Chris Traver of Gresham, Ore., who had an analog set, decided to forego the converter box option and to buy a new TV earlier this year. Philosophically, he’s opposed to the converter box subsidies.
“We don't need the financial assistance and I do not support the government-sponsored program,” he said. “I do not believe it is the government’s responsibility to help pay for my choice in using television-based entertainment through the coupon program.”
A four-month delay to digital TV may not solve everyone’s problems, but will at least offer time to provide more consumer education and a chance to get more funding for coupons, says Kelsey.
That’s especially important for those most at “risk,” such as the poor, disabled and elderly, said Mark Lloyd, an attorney and vice president of the national Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
“The focus now really should not be on blame, but how we can make sure that Americans get the equipment they need and the assistance they need to be able to move forward,” he said.
Monday, February 2, 2009
He Man is back... Again.
Hey kids, remember He-Man and the Masters of the Universe? In 2002 Mattel was hoping you did and relaunched the series with cool sculpts by the legendary Four Horsemen. While the fans seemed to like it, the kiddies did not, so Mattel is trying it again with online exclusive figures.
So far the line consists of He-Man, Skeletor, and Beast Man, with Stratos, who will be available February 15th, and Mer-Man a month after that. Oh, I can't forget Faker (I loved that guy!), who will first be available at the New York Comic Con.
Like the last line, these guys are sculpted by the Four Horsemen, but this time around they look very much like their original counterparts but with added poseability. They retain the same muscle-bound, hulking feel of the originals but it looks like they now bend at the knees, ankles, wrists, and the shoulders appear to be ball-jointed. Mer-Man comes with 2 interchangable heads -the original and package art look! Another nice update, the figures can now store their swords on their backs when they don't feel like holding them.
According to Mattel, this line will include "the entire pantheon of MOTU characters." This includes She-Ra, The New Adventures of He-Man (remember that mess?), and unproduced characters from the mini-comics.
So, are they a hit this time around? Well, He-Man, Skeletor, and Beast Man are already sold out. Skeletor is going for $51 bucks on eBay with 2 hours left, and there is a He-Man that's been bid on up to $66!
So, if you're intrested, I suggest you check out Mattycollector.com and get em' while the gettin's good. Oh, and you have to be 18 to purchase, guess Mattel has given up on the youth market.
New Movie Trailers from the Super Bowl spots.
In what was probably one of the best Super Bowls of all time (minus the Steelers' win), NBC happened to slip a commercial or two in there, including the premiere of a number of new movie trailers. In case you missed them, here are a few to catch you back up. [Make sure you hit the HQ button on these videos, because there's so much going on that the quality can get lost in the pixalation.]
LAND OF THE LOST
G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA
STAR TREK
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
LAND OF THE LOST
G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA
STAR TREK
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
