Clint Eastwood's Seat Wasn't Empty

Or was it?

The Avengers Film Review

I'm a comic book geek. A big, fat, hairy, judgmental nerd of near-"Comic Book Guy"-from-the-Simpsons caliber that gets as excited about comic book films as he is also terrified of them. I know these characters and stories inside and out, so while I may be giddy like a little school girl before they are released, I often want to vomit all over my shoes before kicking myself in the face after watching them.

Nothing is more exciting and terrifying to me than the prospect of bringing something I've wanted to see since I was a toddler to the screen. It happened with Transformers, Spider-Man, and the ilk of the Marvel Studios franchise and so it was only inevitable that I was going to get The Avengers too, whether I wanted it or not. Well, of course I wanted it. I'm not an idiot, you know?

Was I going to be given the gift of cinematic, comic book gold or was I about to be more disappointed than a Mets fan during the playoffs? Either way, one of my dreams was coming to reality, my innards were all bubbly and I sat down to watch Joss Whedon take the reigns on something I never quite trusted him with. The bastard did his damnedest to make me feel like a non-believing moron and just proved me wrong.

A Pretty Funny G.I. Joe Snake Eyes Katana Demo

Today was Hasbro's Toy Fair 2012 Fan Media event and boy did my photographer/videographer Valerie Lage and myself see some fun and cool shit. One of the highlights was the awesome and funny demo that was given to us by this presenter on the lights and sounds that are made by the Snake Eyes ninja sword which comes out in time for the movie later this year. Enjoy.

Is DC Comics Going Back To Old Numbering?

DC Entertainment unveiled their new brand strategy and logo, and lo and behold some of their imagery looks to possibly clue us in to the fact that the whole New 52 angle on some of their pre-existing titles just might revert to the old triple digit numbering.

Granted, there is no official mention of this, but the fact that they released an image of "Batman" with the number 708 on it, even though it is the Greg Capullo and Scott Snyder run, and not the David Hine run from last year that actually had the number 708 on it, makes it seem like they are preparing to be ready for such a numbering. Take a look after the jump to see the full sized image and the numbering that comes along with it. By the way, I'm not a fan of the new DC logo. What do you think about it?

Shit Trolls Say (And Do)

This is our response to the latest YouTube phenomenon of videos in the "Shit **** says" vein.

Do George Lucas Fans Care About Red Tails?

So on January 20, 2012 the new movie 'Red Tails', produced by George Lucas (directed by Anthony Hemingway, Written by John Ridley) arrives in theaters. Will anyone notice?

I honestly don't know how many of my peers want to see a movie about World War II African-American aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Not that it won't be a visually and historically interesting movie, I just don't know if people in my social group or with lower intelligence would go see a movie about a topic they aren't already invested in (i.e. video games, comedy, vampires, zombies, comic book characters, etc.) I actually enjoy movies inspired by true events but I am also a book nerd who reads biographies about dead monarchs and 18th-Century Art. Still, I hope to see this on the big screen. I don't want to see this just because Lucas is producing it but because I know it looks like it will be a high quality film. HBO produced a movie called The Tuskegee Airmen back in 1995 and I didn't see it. I think I was too busy that year waiting for Hackers to come out in the theaters.

This Book Is Full Of Sith

Today I pre-ordered my copy of Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side by Daniel Wallace at Amazon.com. Official release on February 10, 2012 (with my pre-purchase today and free shipping it said delivery estimate: Thursday February 16, 2012 - Saturday February 18, 2012). Going with our evil theme, I thought it necessary to know the “Secrets of the Dark Side” but any book that boasts about secrets seems to lose the secret effect once you publish to the masses. I will be sure to tell people who don’t like Star Wars or don’t particularly read that I will know secrets they don’t.

At $62.98 quite a few people would question my purchase of just “a book”. This is not merely a book! To quote Amazon, “The black-and-red pyramid-shaped Sith case appears innocuous. But with the touch of a button, the door of the case lifts, accompanied by lights and Star Wars sound effects. The secrets within are revealed—the Book of Sith slides into view.” The pictures on the Amazon page give a good sneak peek of the inside and other parts. Definitely a fancy set up for a book.

Darth Vader Has Died At 89... Sort of

Bob Anderson, the man who you didn't know was once Darth Vader, has died as of yesterday. Sure, you'd probably think of either James Earl Jones or David Prowse when you think of Darth Vader, but Bob was there when they needed him most: when Vader wielded his lightsaber.

The force was strong with him for 89 years, as he worked with numerous stars and on major films supplying stunt swordsmanship and teaching actors and actresses how to handle their long bladed weapons. This is not a man you would want to start a sword-fight with in the bathroom. He would totally win. He leaves behind a long legacy of film sword work, dating back to even scenes with the great Errol Flynn. Yeah, he worked on the Antonio Banderas Zorro films too, but you don't care about that. You lost a dark lord of the Sith, and for that we say rest in peace, Bob. If only they could have saved you and turned you into a dark and mystic cyborg.