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Gucci’s Latest Fragrance Gets the Frank Miller Treatment

Tim Sheehy — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:35:49 +0000

If you’re not quite sure what you just saw — and I wouldn’t blame you if you weren’t – it’s a trailer for Gucci’s upcoming fragrance, Gucci Guilty. I’m not even sure a fragrance would even need a trailer, but regardless of how you feel about Frank Miller, or Gucci for that matter, you have to admit that its stunning. From what I can tell, a full version is in the works which should debut at MTV’s Video Music Awards later this month. Keep your eye on the YouTube channel for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Tim is a pro-blogger and freelance writer out of San Diego, California. In addition to Fanboy.com, he contributes to the ModernMethod Network of sites as the Features and Reviews Editor for the Japanese culture and entertainment blog, Japanator. He’s also an Assocaite Editor for the collectible toy culture blog, Tomopop. For more information, follow him on twitter, or check out TimSheehy.com.

Quantum Quest to Feature Jedis, Sith, and Starfleet and More

Tim Sheehy — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:13:36 +0000

I’m not even sure how I’ve never heard of Quantum Quest. Sure, it’s not the latest Disney/Pixar or Dreamworks venture — a fact that becomes rather evident the moment you see the trailer for the film — but with a cast out of a sci-fi enthusiasts wet dream, you’d think it would have had a bit more press. Perhaps featuring Jedis and Starfleet Captains in the literal sense might have garnered a few more headlines, but unfortunately they’ve had to settle for their voices instead — still an amazing feat nonetheless. According the official website, the cast includes Chris Pine, Samuel L. Jackson, Hayden Christensen, Robert Picardo, Brent Spiner, James Earl Jones, William Shatner, and Mark Hamil among others.

If that’s not enough reason to put up with some slightly dated CGI, you’ll also want to note that the film takes place in our own Solar System, and actually uses images taken from the seven on-going NASA missions in order to provide scientifically accurate representations. Unfortunately, you may have to deal with wearing those bulky 3d glasses if you want to see it, as the film was created for stereoscopic 3D. On the other hand, you want have to wear them for very long, as the film only runs for roughly 50 minutes.

Quantum Quest is currently set to premiere at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia later this weekend.

A Tickle-Me Chewbacca doll? Maybe Not

Tim Sheehy — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:22:43 +0000

You shouldn’t be tickling a Wookie any way — what do you take them for, Ewoks? This 9 inch Chewbacca plush kind of looks like it could be a Tickle-Me-Elmo, though. Either that, or one of those clowns in an arcade shooting gallery. You know which ones I’m talking about, I’m sure. All kidding aside though, it’d probably make a much cooler gift for any nephew or son than an Elmo doll. It even roars – or does its bear gargle, if you will – when you push on his belly. I’d take that over Elmo’s annoying laughter any day, wouldn’t you? They retail for roughly $26, so if you’re looking to pick one up, head over to NeatoShop.com and even though you’re not ordering it through the official Star Wars online store, don’t fret, it is an officially licensed Star Wars product.

Caffeinated Marshmallows?! Ingenious!

Tim Sheehy — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:48 +0000

If you’re a fan of Ghostbusters, marshmallows, or caffine – for me, they hit the trifecta – you’re in luck. The guys over at Think Geek have developed an amazing product that I can’t wait to order – Caffeinated Stay Puft Marshmallows. Finally, I have a reason to throw caution to the wind and mix a hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps after 8 PM without the fear of passing out. What’s more, I have the novelty of knowing that anyone who opens my pantry and sees that box will automatically chuckle at the sight of it.

For $20, you can snag a box of 24, but with over 100mg per marshmallow you probably won’t be sucking them down like Tic-Tacs. The box is also kind of unique in that it’s made of rubber and thus reusable. Well worth the price if you ask me, so head on over and order yours today.

Japanese Developer Atlus to Merge, but Don’t Panic Yet

Tim Sheehy — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:12:19 +0000

Many fans seem to be in a slight panic ever since it was recently announced that Index Holdings would be merging their Atlus and Index subsidiaries in the coming months in an effort to restructure their resource management and system of business. However, it’s highly unlikely that Atlus, as a brand, will be affected by the decision. This move came weeks after the official announcement of their upcoming title Catherine, which is being head up by the team responsible for the popular Persona series. So far the game seems to be garnering quite a bit of attention in the press for its erotic, adult-oriented themes and visceral, cell-shaded graphics. Personally, I can’t wait to see how the game shapes up — you can see the translated trailer above.

They Have McDonalds in a Galaxy Far Far Away?

Tim Sheehy — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:36:41 +0000

While this is awesome, it’s also kind of terrifying. What you see before you is Lego enthusiast Angus MacLane’s entry into the FBTB MOC Madness 2010 Building Tournament. Each year, Lego Star Wars fan site From Bricks to Bothans hosts the tournament, and in a nod to Empire Strikes Back, this year’s tournament requires you to create your own intergalactic bounty hunter, and their ship. Angus took this opporunity to create his very own McDonalds-inspired Corellian freighter, piloted by what appears to be Ronald McFett and an R2-Grimace. Why he decided to mix the two is completely beyond me. Besides, I’ve always thought the Millennium Falcon looked more like a York Peppermint Pattie.

Anime Images for Your Amusement

Michael Pinto — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:18:33 +0000

We wasted many hours trolling the net to find interesting and amusing anime inspired images so that you don’t have to! Most of these images were found via Twitter although the above screen shot is from this Japanese blog. My personal favorite is the parody below which makes fun of the typical charts that showcase what new anime shows we can expect to see in the new season:

Image source…

Comic Covers Re-Covered

Michael Pinto — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:17:44 +0000

Covered is a blog that only covers artists re-creating classic comic book covers. What’s funny is that some of the creations are very literal while others are highly interpreted — and in the end you get a wonderful lesson on what made the original illustration unique and get a glimpse of the personality of the fan artist through their take. Shown above is is the original 1978 cover of Power Man and Iron Fist by Dave Cockrum and on the left is the more humorous tribute by Maurice Fontenot. Below is a Transformers cover from 1984 and a recreation by Lord Mitz on the right:

And this re-take on a 1990 Ninja Turtles cover by Sam Spina really charmed me:

Special thanks to Aya Rosen for finding this gem!

Five American TV Shows That Should Be Turned Into Anime

Guest Author — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:14:20 +0000

Over the last couple of years, the pop culture exchange between America and Japan has blended together more than any other time in recent memory. American studios have been more than happy to take anime to turn into terrible movies and in exchange we’ve begun to give them anime based on super heroes, video games and TV shows. Now that we seem firmly locked in this trade off though, I was left thinking about all of the great shows from American TV history that is being left completely untouched and as a favor to the American studios out there wondering what should be the next title to export east, here are a few suggestions:

The Pretender (1996-2000 – NBC)
A shadowy organization chasing after a hero who episodically turns into whatever type of crusader of good that he needs to. Even towards the end of the series the story lines towards the end felt like they could’ve been pulled right out of an anime: the secret brother with a fetish for Asian girls who is actually a cannibal (though they would have to change that into something else… Canadians perhaps?), secret romances, the search for the hero’s missing family and it’s hard to argue that Miss Parker was one of the first tsundere in the most traditional sense of the word.

Spin City (1996-2002 – ABC)
I’m an outsider without a particularly firm grasp of how the political system in Japan works. However as an outsider, watching them elect a new Prime Minister every year for the last decade reeks of the same satire that this political comedy was famous for. It seems easy enough; every season the series could feature a new cast of office staffers trying to figure out how to get things working just in time for their boss to be cast out of office.

Alf (1986-1990 – NBC)
Or does this concept only work if the alien has big breasts and is named Lala? Bonus OVA spinoff: Alf meets Asobi ni Iku Yo… furry alien moves in with and tries to find ways to cook and eat the chesty cat girl alien? I’d watch!

The Greatest American Hero (1981-1983 – ABC)
Another one that would have to be altered slightly but how about instead of an average middle aged white guy finding the power suit, it’s an average Japanese teenager that finds the suit? Hilarity ensues as he constantly tries to figure out how to work the damn thing while keeping his identity secret from the girl that he never found a way to confess to. It practically writes itself.

The X-Files (1993-2002 – Fox)
Warner Bros. is already doing Supernatural; is it really so much of a leap for them to animate Mulder and Scully as they track down supernatural cases in an unknown division of Japan’s intelligence agency?

Jersey Shore (2009-Present – MTV)
Doh! Just kidding…

L.B. Bryant is a freelance writer based out of Oregon specializing in posting amusing anime news and DVD reviews on his site, OtakuReview.net. He can found throughout the internet but usually can be found fastest via Twitter or more slowly by poking around anime conventions held in the Pacific Northwest.

Want to Play Doctor?

Michael Pinto — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:14:06 +0000

Come this September you’ll be able to get the Doctor Who Eleventh Doctor TARDIS Playset shown above. The funny thing to me about this TARDIS interior is just how steampunk it feels, although it has always been that quirky quality that has made Dr. Who feel different from all of the other shows out there. This playset is designed to work with 5″ action figures — and of course if you’re any kind of silly fanboy you’ll have the original crew of the Enterprise visiting the good doctor.

BBC to Adapt Douglas Adams Book

Gia Manry — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 04:35:22 +0000

No, it’s not yet another Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy– it’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency!

…What do you mean you don’t know anything about Dirk Gently? POSER!

In all seriousness: Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency is a sci-fi detective novel that Adams wrote in 1987, ten years after Adams first pitched Hitchhiker’s Guide to BBC Radio 4. Like Hitchhiker, the book supposes a less than elegant creation for humankind: life on Earth began because of a galactic accident, and the planet remains haunted by the ghost of the alien engineer who caused it. The story the follows involves using time machines to impress girls at parties, the possession of 18th-century romantic poets, and the possible demise of humanity.

All in all, a very Adams-like book. (He also wrote a sequel titled The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, and started a third, which later became the final Adams-written Hitchhiker novel, The Salmon of Doubt.)

According to Geekosystem, the BBC plans to make a one-hour special out of the book, and a series if the special performs well enough.

As someone who was very disappointed that they didn’t make more Hitchhiker’s Guide films, particularly with the delicious Zooey Deschanel as Trillian, this warms the cold caverns of my frozen heart.

Gia Manry is a professional writer specializing in geek culture. She currently writes primarily for Anime News Network, but also likes being followed on Twitter. She can be contacted via her website.

Doctor Who Goes to MIT, Or At Least His Tardis Does

Gia Manry — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 04:05:28 +0000

Pop culture geeks: 1. Stuffy nerds who study instead of watching TV: 0.

If you’re anywhere near Cambridge, Mass. and you’re…well, the kind of person who reads a site like Fanboy.com, you should probably make a pit stop over at MIT sometime soon. Someone has managed to land a TARDIS (that would be Time And Relative Dimension In Space, or the time machine from Doctor Who, if you didn’t know) on top of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s roof.

The feat was accomplished by hackers, says Wired, and they shouldn’t be blamed for their odd use of the word “hack”– not because I’m suggesting that these MIT kids managed to hack into a computer from the future and program a TARDIS to land there, but because MIT itself refers to such pranks as “hacks.”

You would think that the folks who run and go to MIT would know the definition of hacking, but I suppose these are more tech geeks than word nerds per se.