Some of you may not be aware, but there is a huge famine in the Horn of Africa and they are facing what is being called the worst hunger crisis of the last 60 years. Approximately 13 million people are suffering without food. It doesn’t help that much of the area, like Somalia, doesn’t have a functioning government and local leaders are making distribution difficult. I read a story about one women who had to walk 100 miles to find food. On the way she had to stop and bury her infant son who had died during her travels. Terrible, heart-breaking stuff, but you can help.
DC is launching the We Can Be Hero’s campaign. For every donation you make to raise food for Africa, they will match it 100%, they are also selling super cool gear with the slick We Can Be Hero’s logo, 50% of those proceeds go to help raise food as well. I have had the privilege of visiting Africa (not this part though) it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and I can honestly say the people are the most kind and joyous I have ever met. Here in America, where we have so much, let’s help those who have so little. The world is in need of a few hero’s, what are you waiting for?
Fellow Babblers! If you are one of the countless millions that hope to get into Comic-Con this year be warned, like The Flaming Lips say, “the test begins now.” (Brownie points if you name that song or album.) As of now until February 28th you must first register with Comic Con and receive a member ID that you will later use to crash their system when tickets sales go live. This is done to make things easier, how? We don’t know! But they say it is, so thus it must be! That being said, we all plan on being there this year and hope you do too! Good luck.
If you have ever been to, or dreamed of attending Comic-Con, or any geeky convention, then your life has been influenced by Richard Alf, one of the cofounders of Comic-Con San Diego. He passed away today at age 59 of cancer.
The ironically named Alf, helped form the convention in 1970 with a handful of volunteers. He also loaned money to the convention in its early years and did a lot of the hands on work as well. Of course, back in those days the convention was nothing like it is now. Low numbers of visitors and get this, actual comic book related items covered the sales floor and panels.
I remember as a kid in the 1980’s reading my comic books and seeing the convention advertisements and dreaming about how cool it would be to go someday. It only took me a couple of decades to do so. Now I have been 5 times and look forward to every year.
So here is to you Alf, unknown hero of nerds everywhere. We give you are condolences and thanks for making Comic-Con such an amazing event. It’s pretty impressive to go out with what you know has become a tradition for so many. Your legacy will live on.
Happy New Year Babblers!! 2011 has come and gone, and 2012 is bringing a whole new batch of movies for us to geek out and gush over. With so many great titles coming out this year, it’s hard to pick just 10 to be excited for.
Honorable Mentions:
Titanic 3D: (April 6) Ok, so this is technically a re-release but I can’t help but be excited for this one. 14 years later, Titanic continues to fill me with awe and angst. I know there are many who don’t like the current trend of converting films to 3D, but let’s remember that Titanic was directed by the same man who pioneered the technology used in Avatar, and I can think of a few sequences from Titanic that will look pretty awesome in 3D.
Life of Pi : (December 21) There’s not a lot of hype around this movie, but I really loved the book and I’m curious to see what director Ang Lee will do with a protagonist that is stuck alone at sea with a lifeboat full of animals.
World War Z: (December 12) Brad Pitt stars in the film adaptation of the Max Brooks’ novel. Zombie lovers everywhere can’t wait and neither can I.
The Five Year Engagement: (April 27) This is probably the only romantic comedy I’m looking forward to and that’s mostly because it’s produced by Judd Apatow and stars Jason Segel.
Cloud Atlas: (October) I’m mostly interested in this because the Wachowski brothers are attached to this as 2 of the 3 directors for this seemingly ambitious film that involves 6 loosely connected story lines and a stellar cast including Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, and Halle Berry.
The Cabin in the Woods: (April 13) Joss Whedon has more than one movie starring Chris Hemsworth coming to theaters this year, but this one is a 3D horror thriller.
And now for the top 10:
10. Les Miserables – Dec 7
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Eddie Redmayne
I bumped this to my top 10 after hearing that in lieu of pre-recorded vocals, director Tom Hooper is making the cast sing live on set. I love both the book and the musical, and I know Broadway lovers are eager to see a film adaptation of the long-standing musical.
9. Snow White and the Huntsman – June 1
Director: Rupert Sanders
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron
I didn’t think much of this movie until I saw the trailer, which is pretty badass thanks to Charlize Theron’s ominous voiceover. Theron plays the Evil Queen and I’m sort of hoping more of the movie focuses on her (and the gorgeous Chris Hemsworth) than on Kristin Stewart. I mean honestly, in what world is Stewart “fairer ” than Charlize Theron? That aside, the movie seems like a unique, epic, and dark twist on the classic fairy tale and I’m interested to see if it delivers.
8. Skyfall – October 26
Director: Sam Mendes
Cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes
Quantum of Solace was a bit of let down, but I loved Casino Royale and Daniel Craig enough to still be excited for this next installment. With Sam Mendes at the helm and Javier Bardem as the main villain, looks like the next chapter of the 007 series is going to be far from disappointing.
7. Django Unchained – December 25
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Waltz, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
The movie is being directed by Quentin Tarantino. That should be enough. No? Ok, the movie is directed by Quentin Tarantino and is about a slave-turned-bounty hunter hellbent on rescuing his wife and getting revenge on his former master. Still not enough? How about this? The movie is directed by Quentin Tarantino, is about a slave-turned-bounty hunter hellbent on rescuing his wife and getting revenge on his former master, AND the cast includes Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Waltz, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, AND SAMUEL L. JACKSON. Get excited. NOW.
6. Prometheus - June 8
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron
Ridley Scott makes a return to sci-fi in this sort-of-but-not-really-but-probably-is prequel to the Alien series. This upcoming installment seems like a true classic, big budget sci-fi movie, with some horror elements as well and with such a great cast, this looks like it will be one of the best blockbusters of summer 2012.
5. Brave – June 22
Director: Mark Andrews
Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Julie Walters, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, John Ratzenberber
Let’s pretend Cars 2 didn’t happen. Pixar is a power factory for movies with great stories, gorgeous visuals, and characters to fall in love with. Cars 2 aside (again), I think every Pixar film since Monsters Inc. has either had me bawling like a little baby, or at the very least, misty eyed. Surprisingly, this is Pixar’s first film with a Disney-style princess lead and I can’t what to see what they do with it.
4. The Hobbit - Dec 14
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee
Who’s NOT excited about another epic adventure through Middle Earth? Any other year, this movie would be number one on my list. Martin Freeman stars as the young Bilbo Baggins and there will be plenty of returning appearances from the LOTR cast. Peter Jackson is back to direct this prequel to the much beloved trilogy and from the looks of the trailer, this movie is everything we’re hoping for.
3. The Hunger Games - March 23
Director: Gary Ross
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth
If you’ve read the books, you know that they’re practically perfect for a film adaptation: A dystopian society, teenagers fighting to the death Battle Royale style, and a kickass female lead. Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to stay alive in The Hunger Games while rebelling against the government that put her there in the first place and dealing with growing feelings for fellow ally and competitor, Peeta Mellark.
2. The Dark Knight Rises - July 2012
Director: Chris Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Marion Cotillard
DUH. The only reason this movie is #2 on the list is because of The Avengers. I have no doubt The Dark Knight Rises will be the better film, but we already know what to expect from Christopher Nolan in this final chapter of the Batman saga.
1. The Avengers – May 4
Director: Joss Whedon
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Samual L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg . . did I get them all?
Iron Man. Captain America. Thor. Hulk. Black Widow. Hawkeye. Nick Fury. ONE MOVIE. I’m still in awe that this movie is being made. We’ve been waiting for it since Nick Fury stepped out of the shadows of Iron Man in 2008. Four years and four cameo-laden, reference-filled, and stinger-capped movies later, the wait is almost over. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!!
The Dark Crystal does not refer to my heart, it does however, refer to one of the best fantasy films of the 1980′s (and for all of time for that matter.) Releases in 1982 this movie proves to be more of the greatness of Jim Henson and Frank Oz. It is a fantasy movie set on a distant planet in the past and it rocked our nerd worlds. We loved it. For you younger generations who are spoiled on special effects, the Muppet’s and other Henson works, were as good as it got back then, I would argue their work still holds up to anything produced today.
So that being said, I recently learned they are coming out with a Dark Crystal prequel. Not on film but in the graphic novel format. It’s being called Dark Crystal: Creation Myths, and we can only assume it goes into the origin stories of the Gelflings and their mystical world. According to Neatorama.com, Brian Froud, the concept designer for the original Dark Crystal, is doing the illustrations. Sign me up. This definitely calls for a Dark Crystal watching party.
My friend Brandon unknowingly contributed to this article.
The first two Batman movies should have been enough to dispel any doubts in the franchise. However, since the early images of Bane and Catwoman hit the airwaves, we have still managed to conjure up criticism. This new trailer should prove that the third installment will be nothing but epic. In fact, epic may be an understatement. In Nolan we trust.
The comic book industry has lost another legend this week. Joe Simon, co-creator of Captain America passed away at age 98. Simon has had an incredibly influential career and is seen as one of the founding fathers of the comic book industry. In the 1940′s Simon worked on the comic book companies, Timely which was the forerunner to Marvel, and National Periodicals, which later become DC. He is considered one of the most prolific writers of the “Golden Age” of comics and has created dozens of superheroes and villains.
Most famously he worked closely with legendary artist Jack Kirby and in 1940 the two of them created Captain America, who debuted in “Captain America Comics” 1 in December of that year. The comic caught the public’s attention immediately due to the fact the cover had a picture of the Captain delivering a right-hook to Hitler, a year before the U.S. was in the war.
Simon later said, “Jack and I read the newspapers and knew what was going on over in Europe. And there he was — Adolf Hitler, with his ridiculous moustache, high-pitched ranting and goose-stepping followers. He was the perfect bad guy, much better than anything we could have made up, so what we needed was to create his ultimate counterpart.”
He also always kept his sense of humor. When recently talking about a character he and Kirby created called the Blue Bolt, he was quoted as saying, “Like Captain America, Blue Bolt got his powers from an injection, long before the baseball players were doing it.”
It is nice to note that in his waning years Simon got to see his beloved Captain America return to mass popularity in the American mind. In fact, with the recent push in movies, the Avengers have been outselling X-Men.
So there we have it, so long, Joe, you will be missed but your legacy will always remain. That being said, we can only assume you passed away. You might have faked your own death to hide from your arch nemesis and are planning on reappearing a year from now to vanquish evil everywhere.
The amazing Zooey Deschanel, loved by all men and equally despised by all women, has a TV show of her very own on FOX called, “The New Girl.” (For information on why women hate her read the article in Cracked.) The basic plot involves a girl (Zooey) who finds her boyfriend cheating on her, and in a quarter life crises, packs up her stuff and moves to New York where she finds a place to live with three other guys. She of course, is nerdy, clumsy, and completely clueless about love and life. The three guys, each representing some different view point, decided to help her along.
Zooey has her very own adjective to describe her: Adorkable. The pretty yet hopelessly lost girl who manages to look cute regardless of whatever socially awkward position she is in. The problem is this girl, often called the manic pixie dream girl in film lore, can’t possibly exist in reality, and yet Zooey embodies her. (See the song Margaret vs. Pauline by Neko Case.)
So here is the summation of the show. Zooey Deschanel being Zooey Deschanel, and it more or less works, for now. Zooey is surprisingly fresh and funny in the show. If Chuck was a girl it would be her.
The show isn’t hysterical, it’s overly cute and contrived at times, but it has its funny moments. Here is my main problem with it. How long can it last? How long can Zooey being Zooey go on before it gets old? In order for the show to succeed, the other characters must develop into their own funny personas and so far I haven’t been impressed with the rest of the cast.
Think of it this way. The Office was carried by Michael Scott, but not alone. They developed great characters like Dwight, Pam and Jim along the way. If it was just 6 years of Steve Carell how long would it have lasted? This is true of any great sitcom. Sometimes it takes a season or two to get the other characters rolling, like Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation, but even then, early on you could see the potential, whereas The New Girl seems to be lacking. If The New Girl is just the Zoo girl, then it’s a one trick pony, a pretty good trick, but one that won’t last for several seasons. So enjoy it while it lasts.
Oh, it is also one giant advertisement for Apple. Justin Long stars as her potential love interest and an Apple product is featured pretty heavily in every episode, just an observation for those who are curious. I’m not sure how I would rate this yet, because there have only been a few episodes
I would probably give it a happy medium of 3 Babbles. Not ground breaking or Emmy winning, but better then ^%$* My Dad Says.
Some of you may not be aware, but there is a huge famine in the Horn of Africa and they are facing what is being called the worst hunger crisis of the last 60 years. Approximately 13 million people are suffering without food. It doesn’t help that much of the area, like Somalia, doesn’t have a functioning government and local leaders are making distribution difficult. I read a story about one women who had to walk 100 miles to find food. On the way she had to stop and bury her infant son who had died during her travels. Terrible, heart-breaking stuff, but you can help.
The Dark Crystal does not refer to my heart, it does however, refer to one of the best fantasy films of the 1980′s (and for all of time for that matter.) Releases in 1982 this movie proves to be more of the greatness of Jim Henson and Frank Oz. It is a fantasy movie set on a distant planet in the past and it rocked our nerd worlds. We loved it. For you younger generations who are spoiled on special effects, the Muppet’s and other Henson works, were as good as it got back then, I would argue their work still holds up to anything produced today.
The comic book industry has lost another legend this week. Joe Simon, co-creator of Captain America passed away at age 98. Simon has had an incredibly influential career and is seen as one of the founding fathers of the comic book industry. In the 1940′s Simon worked on the comic book companies, Timely which was the forerunner to Marvel, and National Periodicals, which later become DC. He is considered one of the most prolific writers of the “Golden Age” of comics and has created dozens of superheroes and villains.
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