Goodies post! (better late than never?)

[ladyoflorien]

(This post is over a week late, so if some of the news is a little outdated.... oops.)

Given the enormous size of this Goodies Post, I have decided to introduce a new format. The links and goodies will hereby be categorized alphabetically and by fandom for easier viewing and locating.

Anime
Test Your AniKnowledge Here! 70 Trivial Questions on Anime/Manga/Seiyuu! This is possibly the ultimate Anime quiz. I haven't done it yet, but I glanced over some of the questions and comments, and it looks like a really hard test. I'm excited to try my luck with it. If you fill it out, let me know your score.

Books/Comics/Graphic Novels
I really want to read the new "The Gunslinger Born" graphic novel. It's part of Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, though, and I am not a Stephen King fan. However, borders.com has pages from the novel up for viewing, and my interest is piqued. To read or not to read, that is the question...

System of a Down Drummer Opens Comic Book Store. This has got to be one of the coolest things in music news I've heard since Radiohead released their entire album on-line on a donation basis. They don't carry any Serenity/Firefly swag yet, but I have high hopes for torpedo comics...

I love XKCD. A Princess Bride joke in the middle of a h4ck3r rant? This man is brilliant. Read this guy's comic: it is gold. (also the link I posted is part 5 in a 5-part comic, so you might want to go back to part 1 to get the whole story)

Futurama
IT'S D-DAY FOR FUTURAMA! That's right, the NEW Futurama movie, "Bender's Big Score," was officially released TODAY! I've seen the movie, due to sneaky underhanded on-line downloading means (but fully intend on renting the DVD and watching the episodes when they're aired on TV, because Matt Groening deserves my money, yo), and I have to tell you guys it is AWESOME. I have missed my Futurama! So, in honor of this auspicious day follow the yellow brick link to Can't Get Enough Futurama's special page of goodies (including reviews, articles, pictures, interviews, video and audio clips)! I highly recommend checking out the links to WIRED magazine--they did a great job on the article. *sigh* Can't wait for the next movie!!!!

Lord of the Rings
Also, I've been meaning to post this for a while but keep forgetting: DM of the Rings: a comic involving both LOTR and RPG humor. It is good stuff, especially if you've ever played an RPG before. One of my favorite comics can be found here (yay for Monty Python crossovers!). I think I annoyed M when she took me to her SW RPG last time I visited because of how not invested I was in what the DM was saying. I've been playing RPGs for over 7 years now, of course I'm uninterested in what the DM is saying! To quote the author of this comic: The DM will do a lot of talking, but if he's not rolling the dice then what he's saying is probably not important. The DM is mostly just there for mocking purposes. Anyhoo, be sure you read this comic AND the notes underneath. Obviously a DM in real life, this guy follows up each comic with an amusing post about the complexities of his role as DM and the idiocy of the people he plays with. Gotta love RPGers; I think I laughed the hardest when the comments for this comic quickly degenerated into an argument over who shot first: Han Solo or Greedo. I ♥ GEEKS!

Australia, meet Middle Earth. Whoever drew this is simultaneously not doing enough with their life and one of the coolest people ever ("Middle Perth" *snortgiggle*). Click here for the direct image link.

Movies
Did anyone else know they were making an Iron Man movie? I found out about this by accident as I was surfing around IMDB yesterday. At first I was excited. Then I looked at the cast. Robert Downey Jr.?!?! Are you kidding me?! Clearly you must be kidding me, because only a complete moron would think, "Hey, you know who would make a great Tony Stark? Robert Downey Jr.!" WHAT THE HELL, MOVIE INDUSTRY?! I am also not sure how I feel about Samuel L. Jackson being cast as Nick Fury. As a rule all Samuel L. Jackson movies suck, so aside from all the other evidence this movie will be a bomb, casting Samuel L. Jackson was like giving it the kiss of death. People... please... please don't ruin all of my favorite comics, mmkay? I mean, don't you think you're hurting me enough with The Dark Knight?? *stabs Christopher Nolan* We hates you, precious! *holds back yet another overly-agitated Batman rant*

Check out http://www.cinematictitanic.com/ Why? BECAUSE THE MST3K TEAM IS BACK, BABY! That's right, all the info is right there in this page. Please give it a look and pass the link along to spread the news. I am so very very excited for this. Yay movie riffing! (and in case you miss the link, starwars.com interviews Joel)

Stargate SG-1 (even though Ben Browder and Claudia Black will always be from Farscape)
MGM's official promotion pictures and movie stills for Stargate: The Ark of Truth. If you haven't heard about the Stargate DVDs, then click here for more info, and Look! The trailer!. It still weirds me out watching SG-1 now. There are too many sci-fi fandom characters in the cast now. It's like watching Starscapefirflandromeda... *rubs temples*

Stargate super panel at Dragon*con video 1, video 2, and video 3. Videos of the cast of SG-1 speaking at their Dragon*Con panel this September (Claudia speaks in videos 1 and 3). Also, Michael Shanks talks about spoofing Farscape. Oi vey, yo. ;)

Swag (various fandoms)
IE Best Buy Polo Shirts. Inspired by the Improv Everywhere Best Buy prank. This is possibly one of the most brilliant things I've seen lately. I want one.

The Piedmont Park swag is up for pre-order at the official Dave Matthews Band store! I am so excited the concert I attended is going to be on a DVD/CD. Wheeee, I told you all in my concert review that it felt like I was "part of DMB history!" BUY THE CD... IT IS GOD AMAZING! DMB also have concert footage up at http://attblueroom.com from their "World's Loudest Pep Rally," so be sure to check that out (always worth seeing Dave perform live). AND they have opened their very own facebook account with 16 different songs available to stream. Yay DMB music!

Writer's Strike stuff
Not the Daily Show, With Some Writer. This video captures one of the writers for The Daily Show cleverly and wittily talking about the on-going writers strike. Follow it up with another video on the writer's strike (by the writers of the Colbert Report). Support the Writers Strike: www.unitedhollywood.com.

Random
World Clock. Has anybody else seen this? This is nuts, yo. Check out all the features, too, by clicking the buttons on the top.

Also, this is mildly amusing. Ahh, the Dutch! Gotta love them. Does anybody know what the song is playing on this page? Because I totally dig it and want to download it. If anybody knows, please leave a comment.


Finally, I will leave you with this week's moment of zen: Something I Bet You Didn't Know! Joss Whedon co-wrote "Toy Story." Yeah, amazing isn't it? I don't know about all of you, but I'd like to keep this man paid. Anyone else? Anyone? www.unitedhollywood.com

Comments

[silvercharmer.livejournal.com]

re: Iron Man

When you see the preview, you might feel better about Robert Downey Jr. I had the same initial reaction, because I just don't like the man, but my husband pointed out he practically doesn't even need to act, as he's got all the vices in real life the character had before the suit. I actually think he's going to be great!

[lordoflorien.livejournal.com]

Well I found the trailer and gave it a look (or two). Jon Favreau was a big question mark and concern for me, since he has so little experience directing films, but it looks like he might do a half decent job. I just, as you said, can't stand Robert Downey Jr., and though it is true (and I later thought of this, after initially making this post) that his life mirrors Tony Stark's to some degree, he's just not what I picture when I picture Iron Man. And I'm a big stickler when it comes to casting the right look for a character. It's the main reason I've hated every Batman movie since Michael Keaton stepped aside; the main reason I'm so affectionate towards the Spider-man movies, silliness and all. I just don't like the look of Robert Downey Jr. for Stark, and I suppose that could have a lot to do with my personal feelings for the man, yes.

Also, I'm concerned about what this will mean for the upcoming Avengers movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0848228/). If Downey is in that, too, it will break my heart. I guess I can just cross my fingers and hope he actually, you know, acts this time around (and thank god they haven't scheduled an Illuminati movie yet).

But we have to take the Samuel L. Jackson paradox into consideration, here. As a rule every movie he's in is awful. I'm not looking forward to his portrayal of Nick Fury.

[silvercharmer.livejournal.com]

It's funny, because as far as I'm concerned Christian Bale IS Batman. I've never been wild about Spiderman, because even though I like Toby Maguire and buy him in the role, the scripts are so bad I can't even stand it. I like Kirsten Dunst, but she is SO BAD in the role of Mary Jane I can't stand it.

I can usually fool people into thinking I've read all the comics because of my husband, who isn't a fanatic but is very much in the know on a lot of this stuff. He's my informant. =) So really, I'm lucky in that I don't have a lot of pre-conceived notions concerning all the comic book movies. But my husband is REALLY excited about Iron Man. Though, he loves Samuel L Jackson, and I'm with you. I think he's actually pretty terrible. Oddly enough, I think Jurassic Park is one of the few movies he's in where I don't automatically see him as Samuel L. Jackson.

[lordoflorien.livejournal.com]

I know I'm very much in the minority when it comes to my feelings about the Batman Begins movie. I don't think I know of one single person who didn't love it. I hated it to a degree that I rarely reach, in that it's one of the few movies I've actually had to block from my memory for the intense distaste I had for it. Therefore I can't really argue against Batman Begins to fans of the film because I have forgotten a great deal of the movie, but my distaste lies with more than just the casting of Christian Bale. I was actually going to ask you if you had read any of the comics before, so it doesn't much surprise me you haven't. I had the luxury of a brother 12-years older than me, so his comic collection was already pretty sizable by the time I learned to read (I later moved on to the novelizations, as a true nerd would). The Bruce Wayne I know and grew up with was a tortured character, not overly handsome, on the edge of insanity. Sure, he had the same square chin as Clark Kent and the shiny black pompadour hairstyle that was popular in comics at the time, but when you read the comic you saw his character as almost haggard, grizzled with pain. Christian Bale just does not convince me as Bruce Wayne. He just doesn't put off the emotion that I got from the comics and from Michael Keaton's portrayal. I think Michael Keaton makes the perfect Batman - perhaps not as ripped as in the comics (but really, who is?) - but his eyes convince me of the same emotion that I'm used to in Bruce Wayne.

Not having any pre-conceived notions before going into a comic-based movie can be helpful, yes. I think my problem is not so much that I demand detail, but that I am averse to pretty-boy actors portraying my comic book heroes. I've never really gone for that "pretty" look (people still look at me like I have two heads when I admit I don't find Brad Pitt attractive in the least), but none of my comic book heroes were drawn to be "pretty." If anything they were rugged men, or geeky men, or scarred men--pretty much anything that gave off a frightening awareness that they were strong and they meant business. But lately all the superhero movies seem to cast these pretty-boy men to fill these roles, and it just turns me off. The new Superman kid? Scares the hell out of me. His eyes do this vacant thing that just creeps me out. Christian Bale is, IMHO, just too "pretty" to fill the role of Bruce Wayne. And we won't get into the disaster of Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow... the kid is Roman god pretty. He needs to be in avant-garde snobby films, like Girl With a Pearl Earring, otherwise all he does is distract from the movie.

But really, I must contain my Batman rantings. If given the opportunity I could rant on and on about many topics involving Christopher Nolan's films, not least of which the heresy of re-casting Jack Nicholas' *perfect* representation of The Joker with Heath Ledger fortheloveofpete (more pretty-boys!), and not cutting the exceptional standard Tim Burton set out with his two Batman efforts, but I digress. My friends tell me that when I get ranting I appear scary and angry, and should just not do it. So I will zip my trap.

Here here on Kristen Dunst's awful portrayal of Mary Jane. I do love the Spider-man movies, I am not shamed to admit, even though I agree the scripts are dreadfully cheesy (but it's so hard making a comic book movie that's not... have you read an Amazing Spider-man volume? The jokes are godawful!). But Kristen Dunst massacres poor Mary Jane. And I desperately want to see some Black Cat action in these movies, too!

By the way, I think the ratio for Samuel L. Jackson is one decent movie for every fifteen unwatchable. The rare anomalies do exist... and curiously enough I think the best acting I've ever seen SLJ do was in "Unbreakable," a film that absolutely bombed when it was in theaters. *shrug* Go figure.

[silvercharmer.livejournal.com]

LOL. I understand your hatred, and will not challenge it. It's funny though, because I don't see Christian Bale as a pretty boy. (I'm in your corner on Brad Pitt. Never been wild about him, with the exception of the Ocean's 11 movies). Have you seen him in The Machinist? He literally starved himself for this role. When we watched it I kept wondering how they made him look so emaciated, then came to find out no special effects were involved. I bought him completely, but then again, I didn't read the comic.

Oh, and as far as Heath Ledger, at first I was surprised about that too, but the more I heard, the more excited I got. My husband has seen screen shots of him, and apparently he looks NOTHING like Heath Ledger. I think the Pretty Boy aspect is pretty much nonexistent (like Matthew McConeghey(sp?) in Reign of Fire), so there is at least that, not that it sounds like you'll be seeing it. =)

If I had access to the comics I'd read them. I just never got exposed to them growing up, as I had no older brothers, and my younger brothers never showed any interest. They are not, unfortunately, geek boys, but rather the other end of the guy spectrum: sports fanatics. Oh well.

[lordoflorien.livejournal.com]

Don't you love how I said I wasn't going to go off on a rant, and then posted a reply that would put the Declaration of Independence to shame for size? Yeah, I rock like that sometimes.

It's funny though, because I don't see Christian Bale as a pretty boy.
I think it's the nose that keeps him from really attaining that status. It's oddly crooked, much like Owen Wilson's. However the way they made him up in the Batman Begins movie was what solidified my impression that he was too pretty for the role. James Bond? Sure, maybe. That's the impression I got from him. Just not my Bruce. But I digress again! At least someone else is in my corner with the Brad Pitt issue. ;) Oh, and no I haven't seen the Machinist. Funny, someone just recommended that to me a few days ago, too.

My husband has seen screen shots of him, and apparently he looks NOTHING like Heath Ledger.
Yes, I have seen screen shots as well. Not many, mind you, but enough to see where they're going with him. I agree that he doesn't look like Heath Ledger, like A Knight's Tale Heath Ledger, it's just the idea of it. He's what? Twenty-something? I don't think the kid is in his thirties yet, or if he is he's just barely crested them. And have you seen the original Batman movie with Jack Nicholson? There are just some actors who will always be the penultimate representations of the character they portray. Dennis Hoffman is the only Captain Hook, Ian McKellen the only Gandalf, and Jack Nicholson delivers a Joker that is so accurate it is literally frightening. It's like saying to me, "Okay, you know Breakfast at Tiffany's? I say we remake it with Jessica Simpson as Holly Go-Lightly! It'll be FANTASTIC!" *shudders* I just can't do it! I just can't do it! I don't care how famous Keanu Reeves is, or how much I enjoy the man, he can NOT play Othello, the Moor of Venice! <--- (how it translates in my head)

Didn't I promise not to rant? How dare you egg me into this position! ;) jk, jk...

If you haven't seen Batman or Batman Returns, I would recommend you rent them. However, I fear that with the newer technology and production styles over the last twenty years, you will not find them nearly as enjoyable as I did when I was a wee little lass. I know a lot of people sometimes find the films disturbing, especially Batman Returns for Danny DeVito's terrifying portrayal of The Penguin. I'm used to the dark imagery though, from the comics themselves, so all I can do is shudder and whisper "he is AMAZING!" and "Tim Burton is GOD!" Also, Michelle Pfiepher(sp) will always be Catwoman. Step down, Halle Barry!

*backs away, bowing in apology for ranting once again (because I have no self-control and I enjoy geeky discussions, as they are so rare outside the internet)* I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

You're right, I probably will stay away from The Dark Knight, but you bet your bottom I'll be seeing Iron Man, so if all goes well perhaps we can squee together over the movie next year. :)

[silvercharmer.livejournal.com]

No worries. I love rants. The first movie I saw with the man I ended up marrying, he went of for a good 30 minutes on how much it was the worst movie he'd ever seen. (It was Once Upon a Time in Mexico, if you were wondering).

I've definitely seen all the Batmans. Hell, I probably still have the TV movie from the series with Adam West on video somewhere. I watched it a few dozen times. And I loved the Michael Keaton Batman, and I loved Jack Nicholson. I thought it was blasphemy at first to cast anyone else as the Joker, but I'm going to cross my fingers and give it a whirl.

Yeah, a lot of people think Danny DeVito was extremely creepy, but good Lord, who could have imagined a performance that could have compared to Jack Nicholson as the Joker? It was awesome. And I liked Michelle Pfieffer as Catwoman, too.

And you should definitely see the Machinist. It would be right up your alley. You know what's really weird? I just read an article that says Christian Bale might very well play John Connor in Terminator 4. Now, as far as I'm concerned, the only John Connor is Edward Furlong, because I'm a huge nerd, but I also think they should have stopped after Judgement Day. Because, come on. How do you improve on that? Then again, this new "trilogy" is supposed to reinvent the franchise, so I'll keep a wary eye on it and see what happens!

[lordoflorien.livejournal.com]

Wow, a woman who married a ranter with full knowledge he was such going into the commitment. I admire you. ;) We really should be better friends, you know. Heh.

Hell, I probably still have the TV movie from the series with Adam West on video somewhere.
......... *throws my arms around you* Dude. You. Rock. I have never seen the Adam West movie. It is a giant black mark on my otherwise blemish free geek record. Knowing that you have not only seen it, but OWN it?! Throws our relationship into a whole new level. Heh, we really should be better friends! I love Adam West almost as much as I love William Shatner, and that is saying a lot. He will always be THE Batman, the original, crazy 60s show concepts and all. Just like William Shatner will always be THE crazy 60s captain of the Enterprise (Jean Luc just brought the sexiness into the 21st century ;)). Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you are a fan of the original Batman and Batman Returns (though you've abandoned your roots in favor of the new-wave Batman! Pshaw!). I will declare you my Batman ally for the time being, but one overzealous remark on Heath Ledger as The Joker and be fearful of falling into my disfavor! ;) Just kidding. I am curious to see how the kid does, in all honesty. He will just never measure up to Nicholson, because that's how it works.

And you should definitely see the Machinist.
Added to my netflix queue. Watched the trailer, and it looks interesting. You're probably right, it probably is right up my alley. However, I had to burst into an all out guffaw when I read Christian Bale is being considered for the role of John Connor. Are you serious? That wasn't on the IMDB page last time I checked! HEhehehe... wow. Actually, he might not do too bad as John Connor, but I'm with you, Edward Furlong is amazing. It seems that every sequel coming out lately is supposed to "reinvent the franchise," so I don't really hold too much stock in that. I'm excited, mind you, because I'm a giant Terminator nerd down to the very core and want to see what they do next, but if they ruin the series I will be angry. I'm talking big green Hulk angry. ;) It's my opinion that the creativity in Hollywood has run completely dry. Stop for a moment and consider how many of this year's blockbusters were, not sequels, not trilogies, but FOURTH in a series. Actually, if you count how many trilogies came out in conjunction with how many IVs, you might be counting for a while. *shakes head* Is it so much to ask for something new and different? Ah, Hollywood!