“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller
John Hughes passed away on Thursday, age 59. He leaves behind a legacy of iconic movies that dominated both my childhood formative years and the movie industry in general. His filmography is impressive.
Kick Ass is based off the comic book series by Mark Millar who also wrote the comic miniseries, Wanted.
Which coincidentally was made into a very average and overhyped movie.
His latest work to get the movie treatment has the following premise: “Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan with a few friends and who lives alone with his father. His life is not very difficult and his personal trials not that overwhelming. However, one day he makes the simple decision to become a super-hero even though he has no powers or training.” IMDB.
And ultra violence and hilarity ensues.
Personally I haven’t read the comic so when I heard about the movie being made I was like…. yeah sounds kinda fun, but I was non very committal. But some clips that were shown at Comicon have leaked onto internet and OMG they are hilarious and super cool.
I am sold! Especially the scene between HitGirl and her father (played by Nicholas Cage). So cute and yet so disturbing at the same time.
Our hero’s failed attempt at super heroing.
The cute scene between HitGirl and her Dad.
Daydreaming comic nerd?
Absolutely psychotic fight scene.
UPDATE: Oh well looks like they have been taken down off YouTube. Was good while it lasted. I am definitely going to spread the hype about this film and make sure everyone I know sees it. Hopefully the producers will release these clips and some trailers soon when they get a distribution deal. But the buzz is definitely alive ;p
So it looks like Kick-Ass will be obstensively a comedy but carry on the ultra violence aesthetic of movies such as Sin City and Kill Bill.
While part of me is worried about the violence. The comic book tropes and the seemingly irreverent comedic sensibilities of the movie, to laugh at itself and to not take itself too seriously, might make it a break out Dark House smash hit of this year.
Over the last few weeks we in the nerdosphere has been buzzing that even though Futurama was returning, there were some issues with getting the original voice actors back.
Fox was playing hardball with contract negotiations and announced that they might have to recast all the roles with totally new voice talent.
But According the the Toronto Star via io9, Fox has stated that a compromise agreement has been struck “with the studio paying more and the actors accepting less, comes after the announcement of a 26-episode pick-up here by Comedy Central”.
Great Zombie Jesus that IS good news. I don’t think I could have stood for my beloved Futurama with some ‘ring in’ voices.
Hearing a complete stranger yelling “Bite my shiny metal butt” just doesn’t seem right. ;p
The Premise: “This new MechWarrior (game) is set on the planet Deshler in the year 3015, and places players in the role of Adrian Khol, a wayward nobleman (presumably from the Federated Suns as it is set during the rise of Hanse Davion) who prefers partying and shirking responsibility over his training and studies. However, when House Kurita launches a massive invasion to conquer Deshler, resulting in the death of his entire family, Khol discovers a purpose to fight for.”
It is only a proof of concept trailer but man does it look GOOD!
According to IGN’s interviews with Jordan Weisman,(co-founder of Smith and Tinker and co-founder of FASA, the company that created the BattleTech/Mechwarrior universe and Russ Bullock, president of Pirhana Games (the Computer Game developer):
“The game is being developed for the PC and the Xbox 360 (No PS3??? BOOOOO), though there isn’t any idea of a release date yet, since the game is still in the middle of development and the companies are still talking to publishers.”
I still remember wasting hours on my Commodore 64 playing Crescent Hawk’s Revenge. And still more countless hours on my PC playing the Mechwarrior and Mech Commander Games as well. I’ve always wanted to get into Battletech desktop miniature gaming too.
There’s just something so cool about 50-100 ton metal juggernauts loaded with missiles and particle projection cannons. And don’t get started about Clantech and the mechs of Kerresnky’s progeny, MADCAT!!!!!
Anyway here are a few game box covers to bring back those fond childhood memories, while we wait for the new Mechwarrior game to arrive ;p
My history with John Hodgman as a comedian has been a bit mixed. But no more.
At first I didn’t like him very much from the Mac vs PC ads, but then strangely I starting liking his character rather than the ads themselves. His lovable bumbling PC was always stealing the show for the hipster straight man Mac. And even tho I do not like the ads to this day, I still don’t mind the comedic talent he demonstrates in them. (For the record I own a Mac and a PC).
My second exposure to him was on the Daily Show with John Stewart. His performances a correspondent were often a bit hit and miss for my tastes. Certainly he had some great moments, but he did not rate higher than my favourites: John Oliver, Aasif Mandvi or Rob Riggle. But his dry wit and dead pan delivery would often have me chuckling.
More recently, I have been meaning to get a copy of his two novels, “The Areas of my Expertise” and “More Information Than You Require”. I have seen videos of him doing live readings of various chapters and they seem quite genuinely funny. Anyone who can fabricate an entire history of hobos and hobo culture in the US has got my vote.
But the event that has solidified my devotion to my new hero and IMHO, the leader of the nerd revolution was the following speech to President Barack Obama at the recent Radio and Television Correspondent’s Association Dinner.
The speech was genius. It was a slow burn initially and then had me laughing out loud and in stitches for the rest. A veritable cavalcade of nerd references. A master performance Sir. I Salute You.
And for the record, to confirm that I am a nerd just like you Mr. Hodgman, I did know the answers to those Dune questions (answers are hidden, highlight the section below with your cursor to reveal):
1)Shai Hulud
2)Thumper
3)Water of Life
I am a Nerd!!!! Nerds and Geeks of the world unite. NERD CORE!!!! ;p
Say what you will about his turbulent social life (recluse, pervert, lost child), but as a recording artist and a song writer very few people can claim that Michael Jackson was not a Superstar. His music spans generations and it’s continuing popularity, even after he stopped recording over a decade ago, is a testament to his undeniable talent.
As a Gen Xer and a child of the 80s, I grew up with his music on the radio and on the TV. His huge string of hits would be the envy of any singer/ songwriter. Throughout his career he achieved an amazing 18 No. 1 Hits (including his days with the Jackson 5), along with many other songs that previewed predominantly in Top 50s throughout the world.
NO. 1 HITS:
“I’ll Be There” (1970)
“I Want You Back” (1970)
“ABC” (1970)
“The Love You Save” (1970)
“Ben” (1972)
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1979)
“Rock With You” (1980)
“Billie Jean” (1983)
“Beat It” (1983)
“Say Say Say” (1983)
“We Are The World” by USA For Africa (1985)
“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (1987)
“Bad” (1987)
“The Way You Make Me Feel” (1987)
“Smooth Criminal” (1987)
“Man in the Mirror” (1988)
“Dirty Diana” (1988)
“Black and White” (1991)
“You Are Not Alone” (1995)
Twincities.com have a great AP video with audio samples of all the these songs along with photos of Michael throughout the years. So treat yourself to a trip down memory lane and celebrate the career of the undisputed KING of POP.
One of my favourite MJ Songs was Scream which was a duet he did with his sister Janet in 1995:
It’s not that often that world events affect me and cause me to think long and hard about my own good fortune to live in a democracy like Australia. But the recent protests in Iran over the questionable legitimacy of the results of their recent election had me thinking.
Then, today I saw this video of the senseless gunning down of a courageous 26 year old woman, Neda Salehi Agha Soltan.
It hit me like a sledgehammer. How often the democracy we take for granted needs to fought for in other nations often costing the blood of innocents.
Often only through the will of the people can such democracy find voice, form and the will to become reality. Truly Neda will be remembered as a martyr for the cause of democracy in her country and my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Iran and their struggle.
How can we help?
Turn your avatars green to show your solidarity for the Iranian people.
Here are the instructions how:
1. Go to picnik.com 2. Upload pic
3. Click ‘create’ tab
4. Click ‘effects’
5. Select ‘night vision’ 6. Save
“A group called the Green Tokyo Gundam Project built a Gundam statue in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the franchise and in promotion of Tokyo’s bid for the 2016 Olympics.
The statue itself stands about 59 feet (18 meters) tall, and is said to be a 1:1 replicate of the Gundam from the show. The statue is built with strong, weather resistant materials. Attention has been paid both to detailed accuracy of the statue, as well as its durability.”
For more pics visit the fantastic gallery over at Engadget.com.
I own a few Gundam figurines and I can tell by the way the right hand is shaped, that perhaps they still need to add a pulse rifle or laser sword. Which would ROCK!!!!
This all shades of awesome. I read several times previously that they were building it, but to see it full realised is certainly a sight to see. One more reason I need to visit Japanese aside from Akiabara and Harajuku.
This was one of the first cartoons I watched as a child. My relatives used to tape the show in Hong Kong and send the tapes to me in Australia. So many fond memories ;p
Just looking at the pictures of this thing, I am constantly waiting for the head to flip back, a hatch to open and for Amuro Ray to climb out. It’s that realistic.
Even found the intro to the anime series on Youtube. Although when i heard it as a child it was in Cantonese. But the tune is unmistakable. Damn, now I want to watch it all over again. haha.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller
