Category: Nerdgasm


Adventures In Cosplaying – by Alex

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April 28, 2013

Until last year’s Wizard World Chicago, I had never really had any interest in cosplaying. The idea of dressing up and having people ask you for pictures all day wasn’t really appealing; after all, there are c-list celebrities to gawk at. Worse yet, what if I spent the time and money on a costume and it was so awful no one would know who I was supposed to be dressed as?   I’d noticed that there were a lot of people in costumes that were either fantastic or, to be polite, NOT fantastic.  While I wanted so badly to judge them, I just couldn’t; they were passionate about something and were trying to show the world.  I felt like I needed to look at things through their eyes for a change, so I decided that C2E2 2013 was going to be my cosplay debut and I would see what life was like as a costumed player. But like any sassy young lady, I looked in the mirror and wondered… ‘what to wear’?  I wanted something geeky, TV or movie related and unique.  Some girls might be fine dressing as Harley Quinn, or guys wanting to dress as Spidey still knowing that there will be dozens of others dressed the same way, but that’s not me.  As a huge Firefly fan, I thought that something from that fandom would be something fun to do, and decided on dressing as an Alliance EMT from the Ariel episode. That was geeky enough where fans would know it, but obscure enough where I didn’t think anyone else would be wearing the same thing.  After amassing the required supplies, I ended up with a finished near-screen-accurate costume. It wasn’t too shabby if you ask me.

ariel firefly

The day of the con had come, and after having my friend Shaun join me in a matching costume, we head to the back of the queue to get in.  It isn’t long before we see a guy across the room dressed like Malcolm Reynolds who gives us an excited smile and an approving nod.  Over the course of the day, there were lots of people who recognized the costume and asked for pictures, and some who had no idea who we were supposed to be, but still asked us for pics because they appreciated the effort we put in to out costumes.  While that was exciting, the comments we got from the hardcore fans were the best; things like “where can I get a costume like that” to “that is so perfect” were heard more than once. A knight from the Medieval Times booth had one of my favorite comments; while still in character he asked – “How fares life in the Core planets, space travelers? I hear Ariel is beautiful this time of year.” While that was near perfect, a simple two-word acknowledgement made everything worth it, when a guy smiled at us and simply said “keep flying”, the motto of Browncoats the world round.

firefly con

I now feel a bit of a connection to the guy dressed like the Ninth Doctor, or the girl wearing a Dark Phoenix costume or one of the Stormtroopers of the 501st Legion. I flaunted what I loved for the whole world to see. I let my geek flag fly high and proud, and it might have been the most fun I have ever had at a con.  For 98% of the people who cosplay, it isn’t about showing off your sewing skills or trying to get attention from strangers, It‘s showing those strangers that you are passionate about something, and hopefully they can appreciate it. If not, so what? You keep on doing what any passionate fan does: you keep flying.

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2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con Review

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August 13, 2012

We had intended to live blog the con on Saturday, but due to a lack of reliable wifi, we are just going to due a  show wrap-up.

I woke up early Saturday morning to a slight drizzle and a unsesonably cold temperature.  The temperature outside wasn’t a problem because I had a nice warm feeling inside:  the morning before Chicago Comic Con is one of my favorite days of the year - a day that I wake up and just know… it’s going to be a great day.  Accompanying Tim and me, were our friends Matt, Shaun and Jon; with much anticipation, we set off on the two-hour trek to Chicago from South Bend.  Despite going there the past four yours, I got them lost twice, but we arrived safe and sound.  Tim and I were lucky enough to get press credentials, so we got early access to the show floor, and were pleasantly surprised. The show floor we had become accustomed to has changed drastically, and for the better.  What were once narrow aisles were now wide enough to accommodate the attendees with little or no congestion, just the occasional stoppage for those taking pictures with the many cosplayers on-hand. We also noticed that the queues from the celebrity autograph and pictures lines were nicely laid out and well established, where in the past they were anything but.  The space used in the hall was much larger with nice bright signage, so there was a bit better atmosphere. I can’t help but think that this is a result of the other comic convention held in Chicago, C2E2, and a lot of the attention that receives.  Compition almost always make the other guy step it up, and I think that was the case here, and it worked out well.

The floor quickly filled up once the general public was admitted.  Most of the fans poured in with big smiles on their faces, trying to take it all in and deciding where to go first.  With all of the celebs, vendors, cosplayers and artists on-hand the whole thing may be overwhelming for first time guests. It wasn’t long before lines started forming for the big name stars signing autographs – Scott Bacula, Dean Cain, William Shatner, Dean Stockwell, Amy Acker… but no line could compare to that of Stan Lee.  The man is a hero to all fanboys, and those waiting in his queue were probably the most excited people I saw there. They knew they were about to meet a legend, and were pumped for the experience.  There were many other celebs there: from the cast of the Boondock Saints (Norman Reedus called out a killer Michonne cosplayer from across the aisle and that made her day), some WWE wrestlers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer actors, Doug Jones, Kevin Sorbo. Although late to the con, Bruce Campbell also made an appearance!

Once the show floor closed at 7pm, the second half of our day commences – the post-con party at the event hotel.  The past few years this has included a DJ, dancing and mingling with celebrities. This year it included singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the queen nerd, Adrianne Curry, who was in attendance.  Our friends Erin and Jessie joined our group, and we enjoyed some beverages and danced until well after midnight.  I, for one, am not big on dancing, but when you are in an enviroment like Comic Con, where everyone is sort of nerdy in their own way, no one is there to judge, so everyone really cuts loose. I don’t know where else you can get down with a Stormtrooper and Vince Clortho Keymaster of Gozer on the same dance floor!  That event wrapped up, much to everyone’s disappointment, but soon the party moved upstairs to the hotel bar, where you could find Buffy’s Amber Benson and former wrestler Kevin Nash enjoying their respective evenings.  We met some interesting people that night, and enjoyed some time with friends old and new.

Unfortunately after only a few hours of sleep we were headed back home. But mornings in the hotel lobby is an experience all in its own. With celebrities going from the hotel to the convention center, or just relaxing with a cup of coffee and talking to fans before their busy day at their tables.  As Tim and I exited the elevation we exchanged ‘Good mornings’ with Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) and Rocco from Boondock Saints.  We saw Lou Ferrigno and his multiple egg white omelettes, the Walking Dead’s Jon Bernthal and True Blood’s Sam Trammell along with some others. Everyone at the con and hotel was great, and it made for a perfect weekend.  Now it’s back to the real world and counting the days until next years show (361 as of this writing).

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Chicago Comic Con 2012 Preview

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August 6, 2012

It’s the magical time of year again. No, not Ramadan or the half-price beef sale at Capt. Steve’s House of Meat. It’s time for Chicago Comic Con (aka Wizard World Chicago)!  This will be our 5th straight year of attending, and our first as credentialed members of the media elite.  This year again finds us anxious to people watch, leer at A-list celebrities, and try to avoid looking at that D-lister who’s fallen on hard times; for example that time we saw The Honky Tonk man looking sad outside and trying to bum a smoke off some dude in a Galactus shirt.  Some of the stars we’re looking forward to seeing this year are Scott Bakula, Bruce Campbell, Norman Reedus, Colin Ferguson AND… Stan “The Man” Lee!   Hopefully these folks won’t be sheltered behind a curtain like the Great and Powerful Oz, or surrounded by a group of overweight and asthmatic bodyguards so we can catch a glimpse.  There are few things for us fanboys as great as getting to see that TV or movie star you love, right in front of you in the living flesh. The stars in attendance range for Star Trek captains, to WWE wrestlers and even one of the Guidos from Jersey Shore.  With comics, toys and other pop culture items, there is bound to be something that will interest almost anyone.

We’re only planning on being there for one day, so trying to squeeze all the star-gazing, the vendors, artist alley and a panel or two is going to be a challenge.  There is a lot to do there, and a true fanboy would probably want to spend at least two days there.  We’re planning on live-blogging our events at the con, and the craziness that usually follows in the hotel lobby and the infamous Red Bar later that night an into the early morning hours.  If you’re not burnt out after all the superhero movies and hype this summer, and need more comics and popular culture, check it out.

Wizard World Chicago is August 9th – 12th at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.  Their website is here.

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All Rise. The Honorable Christopher Nolan Presiding

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July 23, 2012

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

We attended a trilogy viewing of all three batman movies last night, which were Batman Begins and The Dark Knight followed by a midnight viewing of what might be one of the most anticipated movies of all time. Our plot and reviews are as spoiler free as possible, but there might be one or two, so read at your own risk.

Eight years have passed since the death of district attorney Harvey Dent, and of the Batman taking the blame for all of Dent’s murders from when he was driven insane by the Joker.  Not only has Batman not been seen for almost a decade, but neither has Bruce Wayne; who has become a recluse inside his mansion, consumed by the death of Rachel Dawes, and is in pretty rough shape after the beatings taken as Batman.  It takes a visit from a ‘cat’ burglar to kick him out of his funk, and it soon becomes clear a storm is brewing in Gotham City, and he is going to need to come out of retirement, no matter what the costs.

In addition to the very attractive thief, there is a new baddie in town, the crafty mercenary known as Bane.  He plans to destroy Gotham and will not take no for an answer.  Batman isn’t alone in his fight for the city; police Commissioner Gordon as well as a hot-shot young cop named John Blake aim to stop Bane and his army of goons who have taken complete control over the city, with no one allowed to come or go. Will this brute be the end of the bat? Or will Wayne knock off the rust and kick a little more butt before hanging up the cowl for good?

Alex’s Thoughts:  Let me first say that this is a great movie.  Now that’s out of the way, here were a very few things that bothered me – the dialogue was really hard to hear in some parts, and not just the words coming from under Bane’s mask, but from everyone.  If there was any sort of music playing or action in that scene, it was always louder than the dialogue so a lot was lost.  I did have minor issues with the Bat-plane, as I thought it was sort of cheesy, but I understand that it was crucial to the story.  And again, the music: it was too loud where it didn’t need to be and it distracted from what was happening on-screen, but maybe that was just me listening to the same theme for like 9 straight hours.  Those few flaws aside, it was a very entertaining movie.  I got to see some things between Bane and Batman that I didn’t think would happen, and I really enjoyed all the scenes with Bats and Catwoman fighting together.  The acting from Anne Hathaway and Michael Caine stood out the most, and it is unfortunate that so much of Bane’s face is covered by the mask, because Tom Hardy is a great actor and he can’t really express himself, but still did provide a great performance. Probably the part that most people will disagree on is the ending.  It is going to be a love it or hate it type deal.  It is very specific and sets the stage for the next movie, and if the next director decides to follow that story line, there is only one thing that can happen.  I myself really liked it. (MINOR SPOILER)  You lean something trivial about John Blake that changes the entire movie and history of this franchise, the audience in our theater let out a collective gasp.  I don’t love this as much as The Dark Knight, but it is still a great flick.  Alex Rates This Movie 9/10

Tim’s Thoughts: Nolan did the impossible, and that was not out doing The Dark Knight, (that would be impossible,) no, what he managed to do was maintain a consistent story line. Having the benefit of seeing all 3 movies in the same night in the theater, I could  see how Nolan sets up the universe very deliberately, and this pays off big time. There are no cheesy call backs to lame minor characters from earlier films, (which I was dreading,} and they avoid falling back into easy tropes. The movie felt like it had a slow start, but do not be deceived, it only feels that way because you know the shit is going to hit the fan, you just don’t know when. It’s also a good sign when the more I think about this movie, the more I like it. The guy one seat down in the theater was literally on the edge of his seat for the last hour of the movie, and you get the feeling that Nolan  is not only capable, but more than willing to kill off any of the main players and things get worse and worse. I know there is some dispute over the ending, but honestly I don’t know how else you do it. The wrap up is concise, and satisfying, and I don’t know what else you want. For me, this was excellent, and a wonderful finale for the best, most consistent movie trilogy. Before you jump down my throat, remember, there are no Ewoks in this, and Temple of Doom in it’s best parts can’t touch these Batman films. I am sad that they are done, and REALLY hope Superman can find the same success. Tim Rates This Movie: 10/10

“When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die.”

View the IMDB entry for this movie here.

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The Year of the Bat

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July 19, 2012

Batman: Year One (2011)

This animated feature, based on the Frank Miller graphic novel, finds two men entering the city of Gotham: millionaire Bruce Wayne (absent from Gotham for the last 12 years), and new cop Lt. James Gordon.  Both men find the city to be a den of evil, ruled by the corrupt, and each one vows to make it a better place the only way they can.  A disguised Wayne becomes a vigilante crime-fighter in the red light district beating up pimps and  drug dealers.  Gordon is trying to work through the corrupt police station, with a commissioner on the take and a partner who likes to abuse his power.  Eventually Wayne dons the moniker of Batman and aims to strike fear into the criminals of Gotham, he needs help in doing so, and eventually teams up with Gordon.  Catwoman makes a brief appearance as a hooker to trying to fight back and get these do-gooder to leave everyone alone. 

Alex’s Thoughts: While I love Batman, and like the graphic novel, I don’t care for the animation style.  The voice acting for Batman wasn’t all that good, but Bryan Cranston as Gordon is really good, Eliza Dushku as Catwoman doesn’t lend much to the character and is just kind of flat.  You need to be a hardcore fan to get much out of this, and it isn’t something you can watch with your kids as it’s pretty violent.  I’ve seen better animated Batman films like Gohamn Knights, and not many worse.  Alex Rates This Movie 4/10

Tim’s Thoughts: I was warned that the Gordon part of the story is much more compelling than the Batman story, and I 100% agree. If this was just about Gordon and his rise to Commissioner then I would be all in, but the Batman segments are much too melodramatic. The animation is a bit awkward, but I got used to it, but anytime Batman showed up I was pulled out again. Overall it’s pretty mediocre, and I think instead you should go out to you local comic book store and pick up the graphic novel.  Tim Rates This Movie 5/10

“You can never escape me. Nothing harms me. But I know pain.”

View the IMDB entry for this movier here, or add it to your Netflix queue.

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To The Batcave, Robin!

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July 16, 2012

Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt (2003)

Late one evening an invitation is left of the doorstep of TV’s Batman, Adam West, inviting him to an event at a car museum.  Upon arriving he learns that his on-screen crime-fighting partner Robin is there as well, played by Burt Ward.  Little do they know that the museum is unveiling the Batmobile from the show.  Adam reveals that he still has the key for the car, and that is when the lights go out.  When they come back on the key is missing, along with the Batmobile.  The duo take it upon themselves to find the stolen car.

This plot is a segway of sorts to an entire different plot of the movie: the history of the tv show.  While chasing the thief, Adam and Burt reminisce, and we see how they landed their parts and all of the fame it brought them.  And not just fame, but money and tons of chicks. Really? Burt Ward got tons of chicks?  The sixties were a crazy time I guess.  We really aren’t sure how much of the stuff they say happened on the show really did, but if you believe everything you see then that was probably a great three years for those involved.  We get to see some of the villains from the show, and a lot of the actors do a great job impersonating these well-known characters, including the guys playing Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) and Burgess Meredith (The Penguin).  While in the present day story line we see the real Frank Gorshin and Julie Numar (Catwoman) as actual villains who want their due respect.  Again, we’re not sure how much of the TV show is made up, but it might have been possible that Bert Ward caused problems with certain moral groups due to the size of his bulge while in the Robin costume and that Adam West was always in trouble with the network censers due to his ad-libbing of bat-themed sexual innuendos.

Alex’s Thoughts:  I have always been a fan of the TV show. As a kid that was how I knew about Batman, and it wasn’t until the Tim Burton movies came along that I came to realize that Batman wasn’t a brightly dressed bat-oosie dancing fool, but an actual hero that was to be feared.  I will still watch that show today if it’s on. Sure it’s cheesy as hell, but it’s fun to watch.  I really enjoyed this movie, seeing how the old show was made and some possibly interesting things that happened on and off the set.  The downside was the present day Batman and Robin: the acting on the show was corny, this acting is just as bad.  It was off-putting because the Adam West and Burt Ward from the flashbacks are really good actors.  So I have mixed feeling about this, but if you enjoyed the show, you will enjoy this.  Alex Rates This Movie 7.5/10

Tim’s Thoughts: This is not as good as the old TV show, but it’s kind of fun to see two icons back in the saddle, even if they are old and creaky. It’s too bad the actors that play the younger versions of West and Ward haven’t done more prominent work, they are the real stars of this show. If you aren’t a big fan of Batman ’66 then you can skip this, I liked it, but I grew up watching these reruns, so I had fun. It’s really not very good, but it does capture some of that old spirit, and there are a few good running gags, so if you like the goofy Batman, then this is worth a watch. Tim Rates This Movie 7/10

“The butler did it. We should’ve seen this coming a mile away.”

View the IMDB entry for this movie here, or add it to your Netflix queue

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Light ‘Em Up!

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June 14, 2012

Special When Lit (2009)

It’s no secret that Tim and I are nerds. Not like pocket protector and watch calculator Big Bang Theory nerds, but we like comic books and sci-fi movies, and books; stuff the general population would consider nerd-like. We can appreciate things that aren’t really main stream, and are interested in activities, movies and other things that many people would just pass by. That is why we felt like we had to review this movie. Pinball, frankly, is almost dead. Video games, and specifically the home video game system, killed it almost 20 years ago. But there are still those hardcore fans out there that love it, and we love them for it. It’s is sort of pleasing to know that there are people out there who have an appreciation or have a great skill for something that most people could care less about or have forgotten about completely; whether it be pinball, Donkey Kong or old collectables.

Our documentary begins with a history lesson on pinball; its humble start in the 30’s as a game of chance where there were no flippers and you were simply at the mercy of gravity. This led to betting and thus the game was outlawed in most places. It wasn’t until the flappers were added, that it turned into a game of skill and was legalized again (pinball was illegal in New York until 1974!). Now this game was the shit, and companies sprang up overnight to meet the world’s demands for this new fad. Arcades were full of these machines and they could also be found in almost any US restaurant or store… any place people were likely to gather. This game made more money than the movie industry for almost two decades. As we mentioned above, video games would become the new fad, as the larger pinball machines were ignored or removed to make way for two video game cabinets.

We get to meet some of the people who are trying to preserve this past time: the collectors. Guys, always guys ages 45-60, with pinball machines in every corner of the house and garage. There are wealthy guys with huge beautiful buildings built to house their collections, to shulbby guys who would rather spend their money of pinball machines than indoor plumbing. Pinball was something that wasn’t specific to a race, gender or social status, and we see that in the cross section of collectors. Mixed in with the collectors are the professional pinball players who still compete annually for prizes and cash. To these people, pinball never went out of style, and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon.

Alex’s Thoughts: This doc wasn’t necessarily well made, nor is it a subject matter that really interests me (I am just awful at pinball, and so therefore being a guy, I hate it), but this thing made me want to scour eBay for a pinball machine for my basement. I just really appreciate the passion these people have for an outdated game. This could have been about people who collect rotary phones, and I would probably be like “Yeah, I totally need one of those too, I like spending 3 minutes dialing a phone number!”. I think most fans of pop culture would like this, whether you’ve played pinball before or not. Alex Rates This Movie 7/10

Tim’s Thoughts: I am not great at pinball either, but if I have quarters and the machine has a theme I like, I spend money. This is one of those doc’s that you can turn on and come in and out of the room while it plays. It doesn’t grip you like King Of Kong, but it does make  you laugh, and you can’t help but love some of these guys who are so nuts for these games. I appreciate their passion, as I feel that way about movies and books, and for that I could really immerse myself. Plus seeing these guys with pinball machines taking over their homes, it makes my 1000 plus movie collection look tame. Tim Rates This Movie 9/10

View the IMDB entry for this movie here or add it to your Netflix queue

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Prometheus has landed!

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June 9, 2012

Hey guys, we are going to attempt a spoiler free review of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus. I have avoided most of the trailers and run from spoilers faster than Fat Albert to a buffet bar. So keep checking back as I blog not only my thoughts on the movie, but the emotional roller coaster that is a over caffeinated movie nerd’s day.

10:45- It’s two hours before Prometheus starts, and my palms are already sweating. I am terrified that this will not live up to expectations. After all, it’s Ridley Scott! He’s given us some the greatest science fiction films of our generation, and that’s not counting other amazing movies like Black Hawk Down. I can’t help but worry because lately he’s been a bit off his game. Did you see Robin Hood? No? Well to be honest, neither did I, but I don’t think I have the stomach for another turd filled costume drama where they give you all the best action pieces in the previews. But something feels different this time, he has returned to a universe that is both beautiful and terrifying. So yes, I may be a little excited, Alien is one of my favorite horror movies, it’s a perfect blend of suspense and horror. I don’t expect Prometheus to deliver on all of those levels, but even 75% of that greatness would be pretty awesome.

12:10- I kiss my daughter goodbye as she laughs, and I am ready to leave the house in my clever t-shirt and flip flops.  Even if this movie stinks, I will be hanging out with some good friends, who may provide a shoulder to cry on, if not, I can bribe them with popcorn. Wish us luck!

12:40- popcorn puchased. Here we go!

3:01- The dust has settled and my friends and I have stepped out into the hot air and sunlight. There are mixed feelings among the group, but we do reach a general consensus; we liked it. There is much discussion about this or that, and what we would have liked to have seen, or not seen, but no one feels like we have wasted our time. An actual review to come soon. Easier to do from my laptop than a phone.

 

All right gang, Tim here, and I am going to attempt a spoiler free review of Prometheus. I am of two minds because I think I may feel differently after digesting it a bit. First of all, I won’t call this a prequel, but you have the same director (Scott), you have the same producer (Walter Hill), and the exact same title reveal from the first Alien, I’m not sayin’ , I’m just sayin’.  So right off the bat, this movie looks great, only once or twice did I feel an effect didn’t look great. Considering that this is a hard sci-fi movie that is a pretty amazing feat.  All of the acting is very good, despite the characters being pretty much your standard fare. As my friend Greg pointed out, you can easily guess who is going to die, but they do an excellent job of teasing it. There is a wonderful sense of dread and suspense once Prometheus lands, and we quickly get into that Cold War favorite trope of who is really the enemy. While not as heavy handed as James Cameron does it, it’s pretty obvious at times, but again, the tease makes it a lot of fun to watch.  As a science fiction movie, I think Prometheus excels, but the horror aspect is more or less paint by numbers. This is not a scary movie, and it doesn’t come close to the shocks of the original Alien, but it is damn entertaining, and does pose some interesting questions about the creation of man. I don’t mean this in a theological sense, but more in the “what do we do when the truth is not what we expected”. Micheal Fassbender is incredible, but I expected nothing less, and the as I have said, the rest of the cast is more than serviceable. Other than that, without spoiling things, I will say this: There is plenty of stuff here for fans of the Alien universe, but you really don’t need to see those movies, Prometheus could stand alone as a Sci-Fi flick, but for the nerds and geeks like myself, stay till the end of the credits, you might laugh like I did, but if you haven’t seen the other movies, or hip to Alien stuff, it may be lost on you. So in a summer of blockbusters, I don’t think Prometheus is the best one out there, so far Avengers and A Cabin In The Woods are much better, and we haven’t even seen the new Batman yet. Despite that,  I had a great time, and got more or less exactly what I wanted from Prometheus, and really enjoyed it.

p.s. There are some great gore effects, and one thing in particular that will always bug me, but it’s nothing plot related so it doesn’t matter too much. Oh and I almost forgot

Tim Rates This Movie 9/10(but that’s as an “Alien” fan.)

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Star Wars Nerds Versus The Maker

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June 7, 2012

The People Versus George Lucas (2010)

Hold on, because this is going to be a nerdy ride.  This documentary begins with a brief history of George Lucas’ life, how he got into filmmaking, and the troubles he initially encountered with studios re-editing his films.  That was all of 5 minutes; it then quickly ramps into the 1977 phenomenon that was Star Wars (Episode IV: A New Hope) and how that film changed movies forever.  There are dozens of interviews with people from a variety of professions and cultures talking about why people love the film, and how it has affected popular culture for the last 35 years.  There are also some examples of some fan films, including the great and under-rated Star Wars: Uncut (see it), which is the entire film recreated 30 seconds at a time by different people in different mediums.

Now comes the nerd backlash about George tinkering with what they love… probably too much time is spent on ‘who shot first, Han or Greedo’, but when it comes to the alteration of the original film for the special edition, that was probably the biggest gripe fans had.  There are film professionals with alternating views on what a filmmaker has the right to do with their movie, whether it belongs to the public or the creator.  There are basically just a lot of angry individuals here, and most just want to be able to see the film in its original release on a current medium like DVD or BluRay.  Unless you were one of the rich people in the early 90’s who owned a laser disc player, a VHS tape is the only way you can still see it as it was in 1977.

“Our cultural history must not be allowed to be rewritten.” – George Lucas, 1988. Explaining to congress why black and white movies should not be altered to color.  Hypocrite!

The bitching continues as fans recollect their first viewing of Episode I, and try to convince themselves that they really like, but come to the conclusion that it’s 90% shit.  Those on the side of Lucas remind the public that these movies are made for kids, and that kids love Jar Jar Binks, much in the same way that people used to love the Ewoks. Despite everything wrong with Star Wars, everyone agrees that there are a lot of things right about it too.  People love to hate George Lucas, and that is pretty much the main message here… and also that the holiday special is utter crap.

Alex’s Thoughts:  Did someone make a movie just for me?  I couldn’t have asked for anything more in a documentary.  Being a hardcore Star Wars fan I think I have a unique view of this movie compared to the casual fanboy/fangirl.  I went through that big swing in emotion watching Episode I the first time, and came out of it saying ‘at least there were still lightsabers’ since nothing else was really recognizable to me.  I don’t really have an issue with Lucas changing his movies all the time, as I have told myself that I will not be tricked into buying another copy, that guy and his beard already have enough of my cash.  If you are into Star Wars you should definitely see this, as I think you would get a lot out of it.  If you’re not, than this is a pass.  Alex Rates This Movie 9/10

Tim’s Thoughts: I would say this is required viewing for every Star Wars fan, but after about 30 minutes into this, I realized that I was watching the same conversation that I have had with other Star Wars geeks, and that’s where I have a problem. While this is an entertaining documentary, I just got bored listening to other nerds drone on and on about something that will never change. Again, this movie is well made, and there are some interesting points, but for me (being a die hard Star Wars fan) I just got bored listening to the same complaints. I could film my friends and I bitching about why we hate stuff we love, and we would have a similar result. There is nothing terrible here, it just didn’t click for me. Maybe it hurts too much to be reminded of how something I love so much has fallen so far. Tim Rates This Movie: 6/10

 “You really fucked it up, George. What are you going to do to un-fuck it?”

View the IMDB entry for this movie here or add it to your Netflix queue

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Our Top Ten Worst Superhero Movies

Filed under: Least Favorites, Nerdgasm — Leave a comment
May 31, 2012

So after we published ourt list of our favorite Superhero movies based on a comic book, a demand was brought to our attention, you want a countdown of what we think are the worst Superhero movies. We being your humble movie reviewers, have no choice but to grant your wish. So here it is, and feel free to tell us we are wrong….or right, we are okay with that too.

10. Superman 4: The Quest For Peace. We were all questing for a good movie, but this is what they gave us, a Superman clone that needs to tan. BARF.

9. Batman and Robin. Thank you Joel Schumacher for putting nipples on the batsuit and burying this franchise for a decade, so Chris Nolan could relaunch it into greatness like a chiseled phoenix  with a grudge.

8. Daredevil. Ben Affleck makes us all wish we were blind too. And don’t get us started on Electra…

7. The Spirit. Um it’s like Sin City, but it’s not. That is the nicest thing we can say about it.

6. Howard The Duck. Yes technically he’s a superhero, he hung out with Man-Thing, and did stuff. And he totally nails a hot chick in this movie; inter-species erotica at its best, people.

5. Captain America (1990). Salinger should stick to writing. Wait, what? It’s his kid? Well that guy should stick to being a trust fund baby.

4. Fantastic Four, and FF 2. It’s sad when you have a big budget and a cheap Roger Corman version does it better. Chris Evans’ talent is completely wasted in this.

3. Steel. Superman get’s Shaq Fu’d in this shiny metalic turd. It makes Kazzam look like The Shawshank Redemption.

2. Supergirl, and Catwoman. Here are two movies that are so bad, yet strangely watchable, well at least once. The interesting thing is that both films have nothing in common with their comic book counterparts.

1. Ghost Rider. Unleash your inner Cage, and you may set your head on fire too. What a waste of time, and more upsetting, what a waste of a cool character.

This could have easily been a top 20 type of deal, but in the interest of your valuable time, we made it short. Leave us a comment and let us know what would have been in your top 10!

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