A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a fevered analysis on the shared and disperate qualties of Luke and Anakin Skywalker. The conclusion was Anakin is a horrible, horrible person but also a victim of circumstance, because his formative years were a trauma-inducing roller coaster of highs, lows, and constant dehumanization.
Showing posts with label wierd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wierd. Show all posts
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
UK Designers Create Robots That Will Destroy Us All
The movies were wrong. The robots that will eventually destroy the human race have been brought forth not by cold, calculating scientists, but by artists. Somehow it's sadder that way.
James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau have created prototypes for robots designed to function as household objects such as clocks and lights while sustaining themselves on fuel provided by the DIGESTED FLESH AND BLOOD of living creatures. What could possibly go wrong?
Witness the horrible truth in a cheery video demonstration, after the jump...
There you have it folks: a robotic table that captures mice, drops them in a vat of digestive acids, and eats them. This provides it with power to...eat more mice! What a beautiful never-ending cycle of carnage. This is the future we will all spend the rest of our lives in, folks, get used to it!
Of course, at the moment, these carnivorous robots are only designed to eat pests. And how long, I ask you, will be be before these robots begin to expand their definition of what a "PEST" really is? You know who had some interesting ideas about what "PESTS" were?
THIS GUY!I am all for a glorious future in which humans and robots live together with mutual respect and harmony, but if we keep creating robots that want to eat us, it may be time to start looking into real estate on deserted islands and the bottom of the ocean.
Via Engadget via NewScientist
Monday, June 15, 2009
Reviewed: Arcade of Cruelty
I received review copy of this book in the mail a few weeks ago. I've had a hard time reviewing it since then, and here's why: I find it hard to accept that this book is real. I know it exists, but it seems like an elaborate hoax, or possibly a practical joke. Or possibly concept art. Those things are all basically the same thing.You know those coffee table books that get released upon the death or career turning point of major artist? The ones that collect all their unpublished work for fans to drool and obsess over. That is what Arcade of Cruelty most resembles in style and format, but here's the twist; the book is not about a major artist. It's about Joseph Patrick Larkin, a nonfamous, not particularly successful youngish man who may or may not consider himself a cartoonist.
Arcade of Cruelty is a hateful, self-aggrandizing, self-immolating, intensely exhibitionist celebration of Joseph Patrick Larkin, by Joseph Patrick Larkin, and very possibly for Joseph Patrick Larkin. It collects a wide-cross section of anything Larkin has produced since he was about about eight years old. This includes defaced high school yearbook photos, collages designed for aid in masturbation ("Excerpts From Joseph Patrick Larkin's Beat Off Binders"), visual art so pretentious it may be parody, and an entire chapter of 9-11 jokes.
It would be easy to label this book as a vanity project produced by a crazy person, but for two factors. First of all, some of the material is really funny. While Arcade of Cruelty isn't something I would ever consider reading cover to cover (did I mention it's long?), each section has something that made me smile, chuckle knowlingly, or even LOL. The personage of Joseph Patrick Larkin as represented in this book is a mean-spirited loser, a man who despises women almost as much as he fears them, and whose go-to topics of comedic inspiration include rape, domestic violence, and 9-11. And some of those 9-11 jokes are really funny. Your reception of his humor will probably be best received by A) suicidal misogynists or B) people who enjoy terribly dark humor and who see the whole thing as straight-faced self-parody. I come down more on the B side, but I still feel kind of bad for enjoying so much of it.
The second thing that separates this book from any other sort of self-published wingnut zine is how expensive and fancypants the production is. It's self-published by Larkin's one-man company, Also-Ran, which judging from the website appears to mostly distribute Larkin's personal mixtapes. And yet the book is extremely well designed with a sense of seriousness and professionalism that can be found in absolutely none of the book's content. Each piece in the book is labeled with a Fine Arts Museum style title, caption and date. In the aforementioned Beat Off Binder chapter, every masturbation collage is accompanied by the same caption: "This is deeply troubling." As far as caption-based running gags go, this is pretty good. Also this section includes a really great picture of Fairuza Balk, which may be worth the price of the entire book, which by the way is $7.49 used on Amazon.
What sort of cognative split does one need to undergo to publish the contents of one's attic as if it was going to be sold at the MOMA gift shop? Maybe it will! I am not sure of anything after receiving this book in the mail. End of review.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Shoot Some Kirk Classic Into Your Bloodstream
On this, the eve of the Star Trek reboot...why not take a moment to reflect on what Star Trek Classic was all about. It wasn't about CG effects, blood pounding action, or digitally rendered lens flares. It was about the space BETWEEN moments. You know what I'm talking about.
Quite hypnotic.
Quite hypnotic.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
The New Terminator Is Two-Face's Female Doppleganger
Did you know Helena Bonham Carter is in the new Terminator movie? She is. She's not in the trailer, but that's because she's got some super-secret makeup, which is actually not a secret anymore because a photo was released of a makeup/effects test. People seem to be treating it sort of like a spoiler, so I'm putting the photo behind a cut. I bet we'll see her in the next trailer, though.
As you may have gathered from this post's concise headline, she looks a lot like everyone's second favorite villain from The Dark Knight.
Hit the jump for a picture, and some weird nonsense bordering dangerously on fanfic...
I give it a month.
via SciFi.com
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Five Things I Learned About Playstation Home
There's been a lot of to-do about Playstation Home these days, and exactly how many PS3ers are actually logging on to Playstation's attempt to merge the narcissistic thrill of creating a Mii with the empowerment fantasy of Warcraft with the creepy consumerism of Second Life. Five million have joined, but does anybody actually hang out?
I decided to overcome my crippling fear of anything resembling Second Life and check out P3's digital realm from corner to corner. Here are the five most interesting things I learned.
5. Someone Had a Lot of Fun Turning Resident Evil 5 Into Universal Studios
When you log into Resident Evil 5 World, not only do you get to take your Home avatar on a sightseeing tour of the first level, you get to pretend you're on on the game's actual"set", complete with director's chairs, lights, scaffolding, and gigantic green screens. Artificial artiface....we media studies nerds love this crap.
This is an awesome idea. I wish they would take it even further, with zombie extras walking around half in costume, drinking coffee and eating off of craft service tables. What if they had a NPC Chris Redfield walking around, out of character, and you could line up and take your picture with him? Also there should be a snack stand. Basically, I just really like Universal Studios, and I would like to see it pulled even further in that direction. Some sort of water rollercoaster would also be cool.
4. Lots of People Use This Thing as a Dating Sim
I saw so many people on avatar-dates. It's scary how easily people can transfer stereoyptical social interaction, like hanging out at a mall, into a virtual setting. In the main plaza of home, there's a movie theater you can enter to watch trailers for terrible movies, like Knowing. While looking around the theater, I saw a boy and a girl sitting down in seats, watching the trailers, and chatting to each other about their feelings and stuff. I also saw another couple seemingly in a fight, perhaps on the verge of breaking up. The guy was apologizing a lot, I'll say that much.
I decided to overcome my crippling fear of anything resembling Second Life and check out P3's digital realm from corner to corner. Here are the five most interesting things I learned.
5. Someone Had a Lot of Fun Turning Resident Evil 5 Into Universal Studios
When you log into Resident Evil 5 World, not only do you get to take your Home avatar on a sightseeing tour of the first level, you get to pretend you're on on the game's actual"set", complete with director's chairs, lights, scaffolding, and gigantic green screens. Artificial artiface....we media studies nerds love this crap.
This is an awesome idea. I wish they would take it even further, with zombie extras walking around half in costume, drinking coffee and eating off of craft service tables. What if they had a NPC Chris Redfield walking around, out of character, and you could line up and take your picture with him? Also there should be a snack stand. Basically, I just really like Universal Studios, and I would like to see it pulled even further in that direction. Some sort of water rollercoaster would also be cool.4. Lots of People Use This Thing as a Dating Sim
I saw so many people on avatar-dates. It's scary how easily people can transfer stereoyptical social interaction, like hanging out at a mall, into a virtual setting. In the main plaza of home, there's a movie theater you can enter to watch trailers for terrible movies, like Knowing. While looking around the theater, I saw a boy and a girl sitting down in seats, watching the trailers, and chatting to each other about their feelings and stuff. I also saw another couple seemingly in a fight, perhaps on the verge of breaking up. The guy was apologizing a lot, I'll say that much.
It's all well and good to date a computer character, but my question is; why would you conduct your internet relationship in a public place, where any 12 year old nerd can interrupt your deep emotional conversation by humping your leg or breakdancing in the six inches of space between you and your sweetie? I guess what I'm saying is, get a room, people.
3. Red Bull Land Has A Terrorist Training Program!
The Red Bull world is a nice place - it's a beautiful sunlit island with a boardwalk surrounding a lovely white beach that you can't actually walk on. You can also rent a Red Bull glider and race the pros around this tropical paradise. Or if competition isn't your thing, you can veer off the course and crash you plane into the public square in a magnificent fireball, over, and over, and over again. Surely I am not the only person who thought to do this.
2. There Are Way Too Many Options For Character Creation
I am something of an artiste when it comes to creating avatars. All my friends come to me to design their Miis, or their Rock Band characters, or their Xbox Guys, or whathaveyou. But the character creator in Home is freaking out of control. You can basically make a near photo-realistic CG model of yourself, if you feel like spending 45 minutes to do so. And once you do, what then? Do you really want to see a scarily accurate version of yourself running around the uncanny valley, bumping into walls and getting leg-humped by people wearing street fighter costumes? I certainly don't. Besides, gamers have enough trouble drawing the line between the real and unreal. This is going to make people jump out some windows.
1. Home Is A Soulless Dystopia
What does one's life consist of in Home? Looking at placid bodies of water, staring up at towering white architecture plastered with ads, buying things for your apartment, and having short conversations with other CG people, and trying not to stare too hard into their cold, lifeless eyes.
So that's my impression of Home. Some hits, some misses. The level of tolerability of any online community usually depends on the median IQ of the people who inhabit it, and the people I saw on Home struck me as surprisingly polite (saw almost no griefers or heavily censored text balloons) and not too set on making waves, adding to the overall dystopian effect. There is definitely a lot of room for home to become much more interesting and much more creepy, and I don't doubt it will get there. Just don't get hooked by buying pretend yuppie furniture and clothes with real money. You will be tempted. Resist.
3. Red Bull Land Has A Terrorist Training Program!
The Red Bull world is a nice place - it's a beautiful sunlit island with a boardwalk surrounding a lovely white beach that you can't actually walk on. You can also rent a Red Bull glider and race the pros around this tropical paradise. Or if competition isn't your thing, you can veer off the course and crash you plane into the public square in a magnificent fireball, over, and over, and over again. Surely I am not the only person who thought to do this.
2. There Are Way Too Many Options For Character Creation
I am something of an artiste when it comes to creating avatars. All my friends come to me to design their Miis, or their Rock Band characters, or their Xbox Guys, or whathaveyou. But the character creator in Home is freaking out of control. You can basically make a near photo-realistic CG model of yourself, if you feel like spending 45 minutes to do so. And once you do, what then? Do you really want to see a scarily accurate version of yourself running around the uncanny valley, bumping into walls and getting leg-humped by people wearing street fighter costumes? I certainly don't. Besides, gamers have enough trouble drawing the line between the real and unreal. This is going to make people jump out some windows.
1. Home Is A Soulless Dystopia
What does one's life consist of in Home? Looking at placid bodies of water, staring up at towering white architecture plastered with ads, buying things for your apartment, and having short conversations with other CG people, and trying not to stare too hard into their cold, lifeless eyes.
So that's my impression of Home. Some hits, some misses. The level of tolerability of any online community usually depends on the median IQ of the people who inhabit it, and the people I saw on Home struck me as surprisingly polite (saw almost no griefers or heavily censored text balloons) and not too set on making waves, adding to the overall dystopian effect. There is definitely a lot of room for home to become much more interesting and much more creepy, and I don't doubt it will get there. Just don't get hooked by buying pretend yuppie furniture and clothes with real money. You will be tempted. Resist.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Dying Artforms: The Best Left 4 Dead Fan Art On The Web
Remember how much we at Geekanerd love Portal? Sure you do. Well, for the past few months, we've devoted a sizable fraction of that love to Valve's newest venture, Left 4 Dead. Perhaps you've heard of it.
While I would not attempt to try to recreate the monument of fandom that is Portal Authority, I've been looking at so much Left 4 Dead fan art in the last few days, I find it's necessary to share the highlights as a service to you, the reader.
First up, an adorable Hunter jumping an adorably oblivious Louis. This is from DeviantArtist Slushy-man's spin on Left 4 Dead DeviantArt meme, a source of endless fun.
Scary zombies, cute zombies, animated zombies, sexy zombies, and PEELS, after the jump...
Apparently this is this whole subculture of geek icons rendered in crochet...and windgie79 posted these Left 4 Dead "super zombies" on the Crafter.org messageboard. As much as I like to see zombie bile rendered in yarn, I would pay cash money for that lil Hunter on my desk. I would throw it at my roommates EVERY DAY.
I think we've all been here. From SAsukaLangley's L4D meme.
These are only two female characters in L4D. Here is them kissing, courtesy of Bar1Scorpio. For more Zoe/Witch escapades, check out this Nyoro meme comic by DDRshaman38. No pron, sorry.
Here's yet more Zoe/Witch BFFness...although if you read the full comic by Fishgut-San, you'll see it's all just part of a cunning plan.
Part of the LD4 meme is drawing yourself as your favorite character. This is a nice take on Zoe, and bonus points to artist Lauren for so subtly weaving in the Peelz Meme.
Speaking of the Peelz Meme...
Impressive work by CosmicD. The best part of this is the first 40 seconds. I'm thinking using the "Pills Here!" chorus as the backing track for my yet-to-be-written L4D rap.
Grabbin' seels. And if you think that's a misspelling, you need to brush up on your Pokerap.
Just a snippet from one of the better L4D comics I've seen. He's got a pretty good command of the survivor's personalities, and Louis's plan made me LOL. Read the whole thing at Sean's DA Page.
Are you noticing that there's a lot of really simple art here? You can't deny this scene from Wibbletfish has personality.
This is evidence if a disturbed and brilliant mind. "The Left For Deadfast Club", via Visually Pink. I have to include the artist's captions as well.
Thomas the Tank - A star football quarterback, likes throwing shit.
Bobby "Boomer" - Awkward fat kid, always sick, but when he's around, he really gets the party started.
Smokin' Sam - Weird smoking dude, always doing his own thing in the corner. Might get lung cancer or something worse one day.
Whitney - Quiet, sad girl. Always down for some reason. The boys don't know how to deal with her, so they just leave her alone.
Hunter - Sharp, quick kid. Don't know why he dresses like that - you look like a hoodlum, boy. >:/
Bright kids, with a bright future!! What lies in store for them!? Only time will tell!!
Haw!
Chibi-tastic cartoon, by Brad Redfield. People seem to really feel for the witch. I think perhaps there is a bit of The Witch in all gamers.
Beavotron has made a whole series of nerdy valentine cards, including one for each Special Infected. This is my favorite, because it's the only one that reaches it's full PUNtential (dies).
There are tons upon tons of these fan created "movie" posters, and almost all of them are terrible. I like this one by Naruzap, because the title is PUNderful and I'd love to see zombie congressmen.
This post has been a little Cute Overload for the most part, so here are some distressing images to close...
Not everyone survives a campaign. "Zoey's Final Moment" by Xerios.
And finally...it probably comes as a surprise to no one that there is a definite trend towards Smoker smex in fan art, combining the fun of tentacle rape with the emo-ness of necrophilia. Can't wait for those keyword searches to roll in. Oy. It's unavoidable on L4D fan art searches, so here are two relatively inoffensive examples.
Zoe is the focus of most of this stuff...poor girl.
OTP indeed. Seeing Francis like this is really upsetting. From super Smoker fan, Queen DeDeDe's meme.
Ahah, shoe's on the other foot now! Also by Queen DeDeDe.
Sorry to subject you to that, dear readers. Here some excellent non-sexual Smoker art by Browning43 to get that, ahem, taste out of your mouth. Uch. It's late.
HALLOWEEN UPDATE: This year Gnerd editor Degan went ahead and made a Smoker pumpkin. We've even got the stencils posted on our Halloween wrap-up, go check it out!
That's it for now. If I missed anything insanely brilliant, hit us up. I've got to go get my Zoey costume ready for ComicCon.
While I would not attempt to try to recreate the monument of fandom that is Portal Authority, I've been looking at so much Left 4 Dead fan art in the last few days, I find it's necessary to share the highlights as a service to you, the reader.
First up, an adorable Hunter jumping an adorably oblivious Louis. This is from DeviantArtist Slushy-man's spin on Left 4 Dead DeviantArt meme, a source of endless fun.
Scary zombies, cute zombies, animated zombies, sexy zombies, and PEELS, after the jump...
Apparently this is this whole subculture of geek icons rendered in crochet...and windgie79 posted these Left 4 Dead "super zombies" on the Crafter.org messageboard. As much as I like to see zombie bile rendered in yarn, I would pay cash money for that lil Hunter on my desk. I would throw it at my roommates EVERY DAY.
I think we've all been here. From SAsukaLangley's L4D meme.
These are only two female characters in L4D. Here is them kissing, courtesy of Bar1Scorpio. For more Zoe/Witch escapades, check out this Nyoro meme comic by DDRshaman38. No pron, sorry.
Here's yet more Zoe/Witch BFFness...although if you read the full comic by Fishgut-San, you'll see it's all just part of a cunning plan.
Part of the LD4 meme is drawing yourself as your favorite character. This is a nice take on Zoe, and bonus points to artist Lauren for so subtly weaving in the Peelz Meme.
Speaking of the Peelz Meme...
Impressive work by CosmicD. The best part of this is the first 40 seconds. I'm thinking using the "Pills Here!" chorus as the backing track for my yet-to-be-written L4D rap.
Grabbin' seels. And if you think that's a misspelling, you need to brush up on your Pokerap.
Just a snippet from one of the better L4D comics I've seen. He's got a pretty good command of the survivor's personalities, and Louis's plan made me LOL. Read the whole thing at Sean's DA Page.
Are you noticing that there's a lot of really simple art here? You can't deny this scene from Wibbletfish has personality.
This is evidence if a disturbed and brilliant mind. "The Left For Deadfast Club", via Visually Pink. I have to include the artist's captions as well.
Thomas the Tank - A star football quarterback, likes throwing shit.
Bobby "Boomer" - Awkward fat kid, always sick, but when he's around, he really gets the party started.
Smokin' Sam - Weird smoking dude, always doing his own thing in the corner. Might get lung cancer or something worse one day.
Whitney - Quiet, sad girl. Always down for some reason. The boys don't know how to deal with her, so they just leave her alone.
Hunter - Sharp, quick kid. Don't know why he dresses like that - you look like a hoodlum, boy. >:/
Bright kids, with a bright future!! What lies in store for them!? Only time will tell!!
Haw!
Chibi-tastic cartoon, by Brad Redfield. People seem to really feel for the witch. I think perhaps there is a bit of The Witch in all gamers.
Beavotron has made a whole series of nerdy valentine cards, including one for each Special Infected. This is my favorite, because it's the only one that reaches it's full PUNtential (dies).
There are tons upon tons of these fan created "movie" posters, and almost all of them are terrible. I like this one by Naruzap, because the title is PUNderful and I'd love to see zombie congressmen.
This post has been a little Cute Overload for the most part, so here are some distressing images to close...
Not everyone survives a campaign. "Zoey's Final Moment" by Xerios.
And finally...it probably comes as a surprise to no one that there is a definite trend towards Smoker smex in fan art, combining the fun of tentacle rape with the emo-ness of necrophilia. Can't wait for those keyword searches to roll in. Oy. It's unavoidable on L4D fan art searches, so here are two relatively inoffensive examples.
Zoe is the focus of most of this stuff...poor girl.
OTP indeed. Seeing Francis like this is really upsetting. From super Smoker fan, Queen DeDeDe's meme.
Ahah, shoe's on the other foot now! Also by Queen DeDeDe.
Sorry to subject you to that, dear readers. Here some excellent non-sexual Smoker art by Browning43 to get that, ahem, taste out of your mouth. Uch. It's late.
HALLOWEEN UPDATE: This year Gnerd editor Degan went ahead and made a Smoker pumpkin. We've even got the stencils posted on our Halloween wrap-up, go check it out!
That's it for now. If I missed anything insanely brilliant, hit us up. I've got to go get my Zoey costume ready for ComicCon.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Japanese Watchmen Trailer Makes The Movie Look 50 Times Better, Spoils Ending
SPOILER ALERT: The Japanese Trailer for Watchmen(or WOTCHMENRU, as I believe it is being distributed) totally spoilers the ending. Moreso than the American trailer.
Theory: Japanese culture is uniquely awesome because it is at once instantly appealing but fundamentally incomprehensible to Western audiences. A good example of this paradox is the new Japanese Watchmen trailer, presumably cut to appeal to specifically Japanese sensibilities. And it's BONKERS. Still, had I not read Watchmen, this trailer presents a movie I would actively want to see, a quality I think is lacking in the American campaign.
If you read any other nerd movie blogs you've probably seen it already, but did you really SEE it? Reactions and observations after the jump....
0:06...Starting out with the Zapruder Footage?! Okay, you've got my attention!
0:11...Positively zany Nixon make-up. He will be back later.
0:13...Castro! Does he know he's in this movie?
0:17...Terrorism!
0:41...Whip crack SFX over Silk Spectre flipping her hair around? Why not?
0:43...Note that the Knot Top gang have fu-manchu mustaches and look vaguely samurai-esque on film. Maybe that's why they're featured here.
0:49...YES! Dan Dreiberg looking old, fat and ugly! This is what Warner Brothers (Fox?) DOESN'T want you to see, America!
0:54...More Nixon in what appears to be a deliberate Dr. Strangelove reference.
0:58...The most grisly part of the Zapruder footage...I half expecting the cam to zoom in on Doctor Manhattan in the background NOT DOING ANYTHING.
1:12...More Nixon in the War Room. These are invented scenes! No Panel To Panel comparisons here. Kind of exciting!
1:18..."I say when doomsday is approaching!" This is so cheesy and hilarious. Why do the Japanese love/hate Nixon so much?
1:24...YES. DIES IRES! For overly dramatic trailer music, this is second only to Camina Burana.
1:36...This kind of vaporization probably carries a slightly different weight in Japan.
1:46..Spoiler Alert! New York gets blowed up!
Okay, so Albo has pointed out to me that you see the New York vaporization in the American trailer too...but they don't DWELL on it like that! Plus here you see that things are actually being decimated - the American shot just looks like an electric pulse that kinda chips up some buildings.
Let us question why the Japanese market is being sold this movie with an eye towards American political history. Was Frost/Nixon a really big hit in Tokyo?
In all seriousness, it seems that Watchmen is being billed in Japan not as a Superhero Movie, but as a Disaster Movie. I think you'll find this trailer shares it's advertising strategies with movies like The Day After Tomorrow and Deep Impact. Disaster movie trailers make a big deal about ticking clocks and panicked governments, and make no attempt to hide their money shots of destruction, because that's the point of the whole thing. So in the Japanese Market, is the Watchmen fundamentally a movie about the atomic bomb? About nuclear paranoia? Seeing as the Japanese had an ACTUAL atomic bomb dropped on two of their cities by a certain North American country, perhaps they are more interested in the dramatic possibilities of a story where that same North American country gets blown up itself than a story about a bunch of dudes in rubber suits?
I'm just theorizing. Either way, I'm now more genuinely interested in seeing The Watchmen. But enough about me; what do yall make of this thing?
Theory: Japanese culture is uniquely awesome because it is at once instantly appealing but fundamentally incomprehensible to Western audiences. A good example of this paradox is the new Japanese Watchmen trailer, presumably cut to appeal to specifically Japanese sensibilities. And it's BONKERS. Still, had I not read Watchmen, this trailer presents a movie I would actively want to see, a quality I think is lacking in the American campaign.
If you read any other nerd movie blogs you've probably seen it already, but did you really SEE it? Reactions and observations after the jump....
0:06...Starting out with the Zapruder Footage?! Okay, you've got my attention!
0:11...Positively zany Nixon make-up. He will be back later.
0:13...Castro! Does he know he's in this movie?
0:17...Terrorism!
0:41...Whip crack SFX over Silk Spectre flipping her hair around? Why not?
0:43...Note that the Knot Top gang have fu-manchu mustaches and look vaguely samurai-esque on film. Maybe that's why they're featured here.
0:49...YES! Dan Dreiberg looking old, fat and ugly! This is what Warner Brothers (Fox?) DOESN'T want you to see, America!
0:54...More Nixon in what appears to be a deliberate Dr. Strangelove reference.
0:58...The most grisly part of the Zapruder footage...I half expecting the cam to zoom in on Doctor Manhattan in the background NOT DOING ANYTHING.
1:12...More Nixon in the War Room. These are invented scenes! No Panel To Panel comparisons here. Kind of exciting!
1:18..."I say when doomsday is approaching!" This is so cheesy and hilarious. Why do the Japanese love/hate Nixon so much?
1:24...YES. DIES IRES! For overly dramatic trailer music, this is second only to Camina Burana.
1:36...This kind of vaporization probably carries a slightly different weight in Japan.
1:46..Spoiler Alert! New York gets blowed up!
Okay, so Albo has pointed out to me that you see the New York vaporization in the American trailer too...but they don't DWELL on it like that! Plus here you see that things are actually being decimated - the American shot just looks like an electric pulse that kinda chips up some buildings.
Let us question why the Japanese market is being sold this movie with an eye towards American political history. Was Frost/Nixon a really big hit in Tokyo?
In all seriousness, it seems that Watchmen is being billed in Japan not as a Superhero Movie, but as a Disaster Movie. I think you'll find this trailer shares it's advertising strategies with movies like The Day After Tomorrow and Deep Impact. Disaster movie trailers make a big deal about ticking clocks and panicked governments, and make no attempt to hide their money shots of destruction, because that's the point of the whole thing. So in the Japanese Market, is the Watchmen fundamentally a movie about the atomic bomb? About nuclear paranoia? Seeing as the Japanese had an ACTUAL atomic bomb dropped on two of their cities by a certain North American country, perhaps they are more interested in the dramatic possibilities of a story where that same North American country gets blown up itself than a story about a bunch of dudes in rubber suits?
I'm just theorizing. Either way, I'm now more genuinely interested in seeing The Watchmen. But enough about me; what do yall make of this thing?
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Geekanerd Spotter: Mexico Edition
Hola pistolas! Greetings from warm and sunny Oaxaca, home of half the AHR family tree. Oaxaca is a great place to relax and ride out the inevitable video game withdrawal, but just like the song says, there is always something there to remind me.
Also of note; no one here seems to care about Dark Knight very much, but the Resident Evil animated movies (??) are HUGE.
Also thought some of you might appriciate this...
This image really confused me. It looks like a legit Disney character design, but who is it? From whence did it come? The combination of dark skinned girl, walrus, and penguin had me thinking...Eskimo Princess? Could this be some sort of Direct to DVD Disney flick available only in Central American markets?
The answer is: no. It's just Young Ariel colored to look Latina. The shell necklace is a giveaway. Inside the book, she's a redhead as per usual. Pretty disappointing, actually.
UPDATE: Okay, so the real explanation is even less interesting. A Gnerd commenter more up on the recent crop of Disney Classics informs us that the girl on the book is actually Ariel's DAUGHTER, who does in fact have black hair on account of her parentage (Eric, anyone?). Still...darker skin color, right? Maybe? Bah.
Also of note; no one here seems to care about Dark Knight very much, but the Resident Evil animated movies (??) are HUGE.Also thought some of you might appriciate this...
This image really confused me. It looks like a legit Disney character design, but who is it? From whence did it come? The combination of dark skinned girl, walrus, and penguin had me thinking...Eskimo Princess? Could this be some sort of Direct to DVD Disney flick available only in Central American markets?The answer is: no. It's just Young Ariel colored to look Latina. The shell necklace is a giveaway. Inside the book, she's a redhead as per usual. Pretty disappointing, actually.
UPDATE: Okay, so the real explanation is even less interesting. A Gnerd commenter more up on the recent crop of Disney Classics informs us that the girl on the book is actually Ariel's DAUGHTER, who does in fact have black hair on account of her parentage (Eric, anyone?). Still...darker skin color, right? Maybe? Bah.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Comics So Good They Should Not Be Free: Steve Purcell's Toybox
Steve Purcell, best known as the creator of Sam & Max, is the man. I can't think of any comic writer with a more distinctive voice. His humor is dry and clean, yet anarchic. Like a pitchfork attached to a ceiling fan. As much as I love his work on Sam and Max, I never had the chance to read anything else by him; as far as I knew, there WAS nothing else by him (his Wiki page indeed has few other writing credits, except for a Batman Villains one shot).
But now! Thanks to Steve's art blog, which I should have been following MONTHS ago, fans can revel in the wit and wierdness of Toybox, a genuine 12-page comic starring two decidedly non Salmonax-characters. Well, the duo of Toybox is actually not so different from the Freelance Police; we've still got the combination of one detatched and deadpan character paired with a impulsive and slightly violent pal. The story was published in Fast Forward 3, a sci-fi/fantasy anthology to which Steve was asked to contribute "what you want". Given that prompt, this is one of the stranger things I could imagine a person coming up with.
The whole thing was posted around Halloween; eh, so sue me. Read it, it's upsetting and delightful.
But now! Thanks to Steve's art blog, which I should have been following MONTHS ago, fans can revel in the wit and wierdness of Toybox, a genuine 12-page comic starring two decidedly non Salmonax-characters. Well, the duo of Toybox is actually not so different from the Freelance Police; we've still got the combination of one detatched and deadpan character paired with a impulsive and slightly violent pal. The story was published in Fast Forward 3, a sci-fi/fantasy anthology to which Steve was asked to contribute "what you want". Given that prompt, this is one of the stranger things I could imagine a person coming up with.The whole thing was posted around Halloween; eh, so sue me. Read it, it's upsetting and delightful.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Change We Can Believe In: New Attorney General Kind of Looks Like Lando
Honestly, it's a stretch. But even the faintest resemblance of Clinton Era Deputy AG (and future Obama Era AG) Eric Holder to Lando Calrissian is enough to send the Wonkette comment boards into a reference frenzy. Some highlights:
Is it too geeky to suggest that someone must have told Obama about his little maneuver at the Battle of Tanaab?
superfecta: Bill Clinton just said he was a fair lawyer, he didn’t think they were looking for someone to lead this crazy thing.
Don’t worry, he’s just made a deal that will keep the empire off our backs forever.
He’s got a lotta nerve coming back here after what he pulled.
It’s a trap!
I can see it now! Eric Holder flying the Millenium Falcon out of the exploding Congressional Dome yelling, “YEEEEEEHAAAAA!” FTW
I’m afraid his subpoena powers will be quite operational when the Republicans arrive.
Oh fun. I love politics. But on a serious note, more Clinton Era cronies in the Obama cabinet?
This deal's getting worse all the time!
: D
Saturday, November 15, 2008
New Spirit Trailer to Watchmen Panel Comparison
In the new The Spirit trailer, be sure to watch for the part where Denny Colt kills Doctor Manhattan. I love that part.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Custom My Little Poines Inspire Awe, Terror
Would you believe I had a big collection of My Little Ponies when I was kid? Hey, when you're a girl and other people are buying the toys, some things can't be avoided. But honestly, I couldn't get enough of these things. But if there'd been a Batman version back then, I feel my life might be different now in ways I can't even imagine.These are the handywork of DeviantArtist Spippo, and yes, they are for sale. Her eye for geek icons is pretty impeccable, though some of her subject choices produce some truly unholy results...
Absolutly amazing detail work on this Predapon, but those eyes are starting to freak me out...
"Here you go, Ashley! Happy six!"See the whole gallery over at DeviantArt, including spins on Edward Scissorhands, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and what nerd project in 2008 would be complete without something relating to The Joker? Certainly not this one.
Via Cute Overload
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Geekanerd Spotter: Inappropriate Sleeping Beauty Ad
Yeeah. That doesn't look wholesome to me. Maybe I'm still all perv'ed out from the Anime Fest this weekend, but seriously. That blood red background juxtaposed with the tag line "SEE MORE THAN EVER BEFORE" and the the very unwisely cropped picture..could this be intentionally dodgy? It could be a specifically New York market ad, maybe they decided to go for the somnophiliac market as long as they were posting stuff in the childless land of East Midtown Manhattan.
Past Editions of Geekanerd Spotter
Thursday, September 18, 2008
KANGAROO RATS FROM SPACE! EVERYBODY PANIC!
Did you know there are Giant Kangaroo Rats from and in outer space?! Well apparently SOMEONE did because a bunch of scientists just developed the technology to spy on them with a satellite, which is required because these rats are FROM SPACE.
So only NOW have we decided to launch a full scale surveillance initiative on these things? For all we know they could have laser eyes, or telepathy. And exactly how Giant are these guys? There's nothing in that picture that indicates scale. I fear for this planet, I do.
I am glad, however, that if we are in fact on the brink of an alien invasion, at least our future overlords are adorable and therefore very likely to be kind and generous leaders. Space Rat/Space Rat in 08!
Via the crack reporting team of Wonkette.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Stars of Star Trek Sing Their Hearts Out
Nothing brings out the ham in an actor like a hotel bar and a grand piano. Thanks to the all-seeing eye of YouTube, those of us not fortunate to be at the Hyatt during ComicCon can still enjoy the spectacle of Riker belting out the jazz standard Ain't Misbehavin' as if it were the eleven o'clock number in the top show in town. Dude really gets hot at about :15 seconds in.
After the jump, Sisko musically humiliates some web cartoonists at the same hotel, and classic musical moments from three Star Trek captains and an android...
Here, Avery Brooks, Scott Kurtz, Kris Straub (of PvP and Starslip Crisis) try to make their way through "At Last" and "Summertime" with considerable prompting from the brassy lounge pianist.
Cringe Alert: Between Sisko's quasi-incoherent drunkery, Kurtz' frequent self-conscious looks at the camera, and the fact that this already interminable video was obviously edited down from a much longer take....this is the sort of nerd/idol fantasy meetup that is probably exceedingly painful when it's actually happening, but at least makes a great story afterwards.
Of course that all pales in comparison to this video, which of course has the advantage of higher production values (ie a straw boater and cane).
Seriously, this is pretty much the best thing ever. If you're seeing it for the first time, I envy you.
Also, here is the stalwart Captain Archer doing the voice of a cartoon cat in one of the most underrated American animated musical comedies out there, Cats Don't Dance.
Then there's Brent Spiner, in the original Broadway cast of Sunday in the Park with George (his stuff starts around 6:30 in), sporting a snappy fin de siecle suit and an intensely nasal German accent.
And what musical Star Trek post would be complete without this slice of heaven? I know people enjoy this segment in a sort of freak show context, but I have to say after a few viewings, I think I appreciate what he's trying to do here. I "get" you Bill, I do. I even get a little choked up at 4:14...he should have saved that reading for the end, you can't keep the pace after an emotional high point like that. And neither can this post.
UPDATE 7/31/08:
Reader Dracula Jones (awesome) has pointed me to something I shamefully overlooked....
Wow. If anyone is friends with Guillermo Del Toro, please be sure he sees this before he gets started on principal photography. Though I'm kind of enraged by the fact that this song is all about Bilbo and Bilbo NEVER EVEN SHOWS UP in the video. Total tease.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Spore Creatures That Look Like Stuff
So I was all excited to download the free Spore Creature Creator, until I was coldly informed by the installer that my Powerbook isn't up to scratch. I'm humiliated. All I can do is longingly cruise the Sporepedia, looking for Spores That Look Like Stuff. Geeky stuff, mostly, like the Trogspore above. That looks really good.
Spore Trek, Spore Wars, and of course Pokespore, after the jump...
STAR WARS
This Mon Calamari is right on, but the nudity upsets me. I don't want to see Admiral Ackbar naked. As a 18th Century Dandy, yes. Naked, that's too far.
This X-Wing is from Fark's Spore thread, though I couldn't find it on the Sporepedia. There were lots of imitators, if you search "x-wing", nothing quite as good as this.
Great looking TIE fighter, elegant in it's simplicity.
Shockingly accurate Watto.
Painful looking AT-ST, giving new meaning to the term "Chicken Walker".And now, my two favorite characters from the Prequels...
General Grievous, with particularly good attention to coloring.
This could be Selbulba's ILM character model.POKEMON
All of the original three starter Pokemon are really popular. There are tons of them, here are the most accurate ones.
Charmeleon.
My main man 
A sickly Blastoise.
Some sort of horrible bird Pikachu...I'll be seeing that in my nightmares, thank you internet.
I'm a Team Rocket fan 4 life, so I had to look for Koffing. What I found was...wow. Just wow. So close, and yet so far.
VIDEO GAMES
Most of these are via Kotaku and MTV Multiplayer...
An XBox 360 controller! Pretty terrifying. What are those joysticks supposed to be? Suckers? Nipples? Crazy.
Our old friend Purple Tentacle back from the LucasArts adventure gaming dead.
Mario Mario of the Mario Brothers. This looks like some crazy junkie muppet.
Boo! Literally. Not really as cute as the real character, but good nonetheless.
A bomb, possibly a bob-omb.
Wierd old Mr. Saturn, quite well captured.
Goomba! This is deeply upsetting to me. They went way too far in making him look like a real mushroom, with that gross fungal texturing on the underside of his head.
Pretty great Yoshi.
Wobbly legged Mega Man.
An amazingly accurate Master Chief.
Pretty good Sonic, albeit with webbed hands.OTHER NERDY STUFF
Now ZOIDBERG is the spore! In full mating season glory. There are lots of other Futurama creatures on the Sporepedia, including many many Nibblers. I couldn't find one that actually looked like him though, if someone wants to make one.
There were quite a few hulks, but this was my fave.
This is the best Batman so far. Humanoids are apparently hard to get right. Why the bare pecks, I wonder? Even better than this design is creator insertinear's species description: "THE BATMAN SPECIES HE IS THE DARKEST OF KNIGHTS WHO SOLVE DETECTIVE MYSTERIES."
The earth with a little mouth and eyes and one foot. Thaaats good.
Now we're talkin! The USS Enterprise. I don't even want to try to figure out how this is a organism. 
The Flying Spaghetti Monster. This is the best one I saw, but there are some really shockingly bad ones in the Sporepedia.
Here's a car. Little over complicated, but pretty neat nonetheless.
WHERE MY PEEPS AT. This is great. Even the texture is right.
A scary candy cane.
A plane - found this one on the Fark thread too.
Cool motorcycle.
Albert Einstein's head. This is like something you'd see on the ground in Dante's inferno. I think we've had enough.
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