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Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 1, 2012 in Fandom 
Brotherhood Workshop is back to their old tricks again, creating excellent LEGO stop-animations featuring Lord of the Rings characters duking it out or engaging in other silliness. Their latest work is recreating the battle of Helm’s Deep for the Machinima Interactive Film Festival – except there might be a few little changes along the way. Legolas certainly does his best to help out Gimli so he can see over the wall, that’s for sure. Also keep an eye out for Chewbacca… he’s hiding in a few places in there! Read more…
Tags: Lego, Lord of the Rings
Posted by Ben Huber on Dec 1, 2012 in Cinema 
Perhaps I’m a terrible person, but I may just be excited for Django Unchained a teensy bit more than actual Christmas. Quentin Tarantino’s latest film opens Christmas Day, and to me that might just be the best gift a film fan could ask for. Recently I’ve been wondering who many more films we’ll be getting out of him, given that he’s been talking about retirement. He says he wants to quit while his filmography is still good and never produce a stinker like many other directors who continue past their prime. That’s such a Tarantino thing to say (and by extension, a film fan thing to say), so I’m really not surprised by his remarks like so many other people. Till then, his work still looks solid! Watch the trailer below. Read more…
Tags: Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 30, 2012 in Cinema, Comic Books 
Christopher Nolan is finished with Batman now, and Warner Bros. is surely hunting for the best way to continue or reboot the franchise. Nolan’s open ending was intended for the viewer to imagine their own continuation, but not doubt Warner Bros. will use that to their advantage: HitFix is reporting that they’re already lining Joseph Gordon-Levitt up to play Batman in the upcoming Justice League movie. What a shocker! Read more…
Tags: Batman
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 30, 2012 in Cinema 
Are you excited for Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim? I know I am. Giant robots, giant monsters, and epic battles! If you haven’t heard, in the near future, giant monsters begin emerging from the oceans, so the nations of the world begin building giant robots to combat them – obviously! It’s very Evangelion and Gundam-esque, which is why I’m so excited to see a major Hollywood picture with this theme! Now, the viral marketing has begun! Images of robots and peeks at the monsters below! Read more…
Tags: guillermo del toro, Pacific Rim
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 26, 2012 in Comic Books 
I don’t think I need to say much about this sweet MODOK mug from ThinkGeek. It’s a coffee (or tea, if that’s your style) mug fashioned in the shape of Marvel Comics character MODOK, designed only for keeping your drinks warm. Or something along those lines. I’m sure there’s a million great puns here, but ThinkGeek already made them all. Perhaps it’s not the greatest geek mug ever, but you have to admit – drinking out of MODOK’s hollowed-out head is sure to be awesome and also scare your coworkers. Pick it up here!
Tags: Marvel
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 26, 2012 in Cinema 
The amount of work that goes into feature-length films these days is really incredible – you only need to look at all the names in the credits to realize that. The series of videos that the documentary team has been putting together following the making of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey have been a great look into the whole creative process. This latest one focuses on post-production, and how the concept artists, audio tech, CGI artists, and all the other crew composite everything into the finished product. While it looks stressful (only 8 weeks left in the video) they also seem to be enjoying themselves. Watch the video below. Read more…
Tags: Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 25, 2012 in Hobbies and Collections 
Hot Toys continues to impress with their series of figures. The amount of work they put into making sure characters’ faces look real is astounding, and I wish I could own them all. For those of you out there (and I know you’re out there) who loved Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D., you can now pre-order him. He’ll be releasing June 2013, so there’s a bit of a wait, but it’s worth it for one of these figures, right? I bet he’ll look great with the rest of the Avengers team that’s also being released by Hot Toys. Could someone remake the whole Avengers film with these? Would it look much different from the real thing? Read more…
Tags: Marvel, Phil Coulson, The Avengers
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 25, 2012 in Videogames 
I love me some Humble Indie Bundles and Steam Sales. So whenever one pops up, it’s my duty to bring the news to you. The latest one is Steam’s Autumn Sale, and as the brown and red leaves fall around your desolate computer tower, surely the one thing you must be wanting this holiday season is games. Because not enough of those come out in November. Anyway, fill you backlog up easily with the constant Flash Sales (short sales that only go on for a few hours) or the Daily Deals. At time of writing, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is $4.99! How can you not get it at that price. See all the latest deals and sales here.
Tags: Steam, Valve
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 24, 2012 in Videogames 
Hopefully some of you know of the excellent downloadable game for 3DS, Pushmo. It was developed by Intelligent Systems, the makers of Fire Emblem and Paper, as a puzzle game with a twist, blocks can only move forward and backward, and you must clamber across them to reach the top. Now, Nintendo has released the sequel, Crashmo, which introduces gravity and a whole host of other gameplay ideas into the equation. I’ve only spent a few hours with it, but it’s already been an absolute blast. It also features the return of the level creator, so you can make your own puzzles and share them via QR codes. If you have a 3DS, make sure to check it out! Read more…
Tags: 3DS, crashmo, Nintendo, pushmo
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 24, 2012 in Television 
For everything on the internet, there is a parody version. I’m pretty sure this is basically law now, so I suppose there is no surprise in the title: a Game of Thrones parody of Seinfeld. This might be offensive to some of you, given that the sitcom is the “lowest form of television,” and it’s being combined with some of the best. But joking aside, if you ever wanted to see how Game of Thrones would fare with a laugh track, now you know. Strangely, it feels more like I stepped into an alternate universe rather than a simple edit. Read more…
Tags: Comedy, Game of Thrones
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 23, 2012 in Tech, Videogames 
With how hard Microsoft has been pushing the multimedia content for Xbox 360, perhaps this should come as no surprise to you all: The Verge is reporting they have multiple sources saying that Microsoft is creating a set-top TV box branded with the Xbox name. The concept is to be similar to the Apple TV or Roku, supporting videos and music, as well as apps and games. Granted, it wouldn’t play full-fledged console games (that would still be the next Xbox’s job) but for consumers who use their Xbox mostly for Netflix (you know who you are) this is an excellent move. Will it succeed though? I wonder if the Xbox name is too entrenched in “gaming” but perhaps that’s an unfounded concern. Will this hook people? 2013 will be an exciting year! Read more…
Tags: Xbox, Xbox 360
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 23, 2012 in Anime, Cinema 
Things have been quiet on the Studio Ghibli front, with Up On Poppy Hill out and all. We’ve known that Isao Takahata has been working on an adaption of the folk story The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, but we recently got confirmation of the title via domain name registrations from Ghibli. It’ll be titled Princess Kaguya Story (Kaguya-hime no Monogatari) and should be released sometime next year (summer, if Ghibli’s release schedule holds up). Hayao Miyazaki has also been hard at work, and his film about the man who made the Japanese Zero fighter plane has gotten a name as well: The Wind Rises. Lastly, GKIDS has picked up the distribution rights for Takahata’s Grave of the Fireflies and will re-release the film next year, just in time for the 25th anniversary. Exciting times for Ghibli fans! Read more…
Tags: Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 19, 2012 in Design 
Want to look like you just jumped out of 2020? Have a bunch of money to spare? Need something to carry all of your stuff? Then I have found the perfect backpack for you: Solid Gray. It’s a plastic shell backpack, made very thin but highly durable. It’s geometric design and material is supposed to make it stronger and last longer. Plus, that hard shell is great for protecting whatever you keep inside (yes, there is interior padding). While it all looks very cool, the downside is you’ll need to be ready to drop about €139.00 on this bad boy. So, how badly do you want to look like a time-traveller? Read more…
Tags: backpack, Fashion
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 19, 2012 in Comic Books, Hobbies and Collections 
It just didn’t feel right to say “leap into action,” since he’s just standing there, you know? Kotobukiya is continuing their solid New 52 Justice League lineup, and the latest addition is Batman! I must say, while his pose is kind of boring, I actually like the sculpt of Batman himself. He’s a little leaner than the usual Batman figures, making him look more like an agile ninja than a hulking hero in the night. He is, just like the others, very shiny. Whether you like that aspect falls into personal preference, but I’d say he looks good paired up with the rest of the crew. If you’re looking to pick Batman up, pre-order him at AmiAmi, Hobby Search, or HLJ. Read more…
Tags: Batman, figurine, Kotobukiya
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 18, 2012 in Videogames 
Well today is finally the release date of Nintendo’s Wii U, their successor to the incredibly popular Wii. It’ll be exciting to see how well it sells and if Nintendo will be able to keep up with demand. Will it become the hot commodity this Christmas, much like the Wii did? Or will it end up being a bit more on the Gamecube side of things? Only time will tell, but at the very least, the launch lineup seems solid. If you’re picking one up, the day one update is out, so be sure to grab that to activate all the online features. Going to go digital? A full list of retail games available digitally is below! Read more…
Tags: Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 18, 2012 in Videogames 
Team Fortress 2’s annual fan-made video contest, the Saxxy Awards, have started up for their second year. You can now vote on the best Source Filmmaker video and best replay, as well as their individual categories. Comedy, drama, and all the variety and entertainment of a real awards show, without all the pomp and fancy dresses (except for maybe that Magical Heavy Fairy video). The voting period goes until November 27th, and the winners will be announced on November 30th… aside from Best Overall. That one will be shown live on Spike TV’s Video Game Awards pre-show and aired on TV. Now that’s pretty sweet!
Tags: Team Fortress, Valve
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 17, 2012 in Videogames 
The Wii U arrives tomorrow, November 18th, and I’m sure many of you are getting one. It looks to be a fun system and I like the direction Nintendo is taking with it, although I’m unsure how mainstream audiences will react to it. One of the biggest selling points for casual audiences (and perhaps gamers too) is using the Wii U Gamepad as, essentially, the best and biggest universal remote ever. You’ll be able to control your TV via the pad, including input switching and all the basic features. Combined with TVii, Nintendo’s app that will unify many streaming services (like you cable, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video) it could do wonders for streamlining the living room experience. But bad news: it won’t arrive until December. Read more…
Tags: Nintendo, Wii U
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 17, 2012 in Anime 
It hurts so bad, not being able to see the latest Evangelion film yet. Eva 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo seems to be a little bit a remake, a little bit sequel, or maybe neither. Whichever it is, I need it in my veins now, but I’ll have to wait for now. To make matters worse, the first six minutes of the film have been released online, featuring Asuka and Mari attempting to rescue Shinji and Rei, still trapped inside Unit 01 14 years after Evangelion 2.0 takes place. Major timeskip! Also in Eva-related news, Utada Hikaru has randomly returned to record a new song for the credits – and it’s fantastic. Hear the song and watch the first 6 minutes of 3.0 below the jump! Read more…
Tags: Evangelion
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 16, 2012 in Hobbies and Collections 
The Bottleneck Gallery is relatively new to the gallery world, but already they’ve done an incredible job of collecting fantastic artists from all over in one place. Their latest show, The Gang is all Here, starts today, November 16th, in Brooklyn, New York. The theme is all about your favorite posse, team, or group! The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and more are just some of the fandoms covered at the show. Can’t make it to the show? You’ll be able to purchase prints online on the 17th! Full disclosure: I’m part of the show too! See if you can find my work hidden between all the amazing artists and other great prints. Read more…
Tags: Bottleneck Gallery, Fan Art, Prints
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 16, 2012 in Cinema 
Interested in hearing the final song that’ll play over the credits for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey? It’s better than you might expect, as it’s spun off of the dwarves’ song from the beginning of film. And, it’s done by New Zealand artist (surprise!) Neil Finn. Perhaps songs based off movies are a bit passé now, but something like this is always welcome in my book. If you want to take a listen, you’ll have to visit Rolling Stone’s site and use their music player. Take a moment and check it out!
Tags: Music, The Hobbit
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 12, 2012 in Star Wars 
No, Wes Anderson isn’t directing Star Wars: Episode VII. But Conan O’Brien wondered what such a film might look like, and let’s just say, it’s hilarious. I love when you can pick apart a director’s work because they have such a distinctive style, and then imagine it on top of something unusual (like Star Wars). I’m sure we’ll see a few more of these pop up in the coming weeks (who’s going to do Tarantino Star Wars?!) but for now we’ll start with this one. I love the little references to everything, see if you can catch them all. Video is below the jump. Read more…
Tags: Wes Anderson
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 12, 2012 in Cinema, Videogames 
I’ve always had a love for the Angry Video Game Nerd. James Rolfe does a great job with the character and you can really feel his love for games shine through all the rage and excitement. His fundraiser to create a movie based around the AVGN was a big success, and after a ton of filming, they finally released the first trailer for the project. I hope you were expecting something as campy and hilarious as his usual stuff, because the 80s B-movie style shines through wonderfully here. The Nerd looks to be investigating one of gaming’s best-known urban legends: the Atari E.T. cartridge burial grounds. A perfect subject for the movie, I’m really excited to finally see it when it’s done. Watch the trailer below! Read more…
Tags: Angry Video Game Nerd
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 11, 2012 in Design, Science 
I must say, Mr. Greg Petchkovsky, you’ve got a creative mind. A while back Instructables had a contest called “Make it Real,” in which participants had to use some computer-made objects or materials to make a physical object. While most people just completed the bare minimum in requirements, Greg went the whole way: he created digital models of real objects, then modified them with “unreal” aspects, like the edge of a brick melting or LEGO bricks poking out from inside a chipped cement block. The process behind the whole project is pretty impressive too, maybe more impressive than the final result, so check out the video below to see everything! Read more…
Tags: 3D Printing
Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 11, 2012 in Star Wars 
I’d like to say that Disney buying Lucasfilm may indeed be the best thing to happen to Star Wars in a long while. Perhaps that’s presumptuous to say at this early stage, but when you’re getting good news like this, it’s had to temper your excitement: Michael Arndt will be writing the script for Star Wars: Episode VII. Some of Arndt’s previous accomplishments include writing Little Miss Sunshine and Toy Story 3 – the former won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. He had already written a 40 page treatment of the upcoming 3 films, so that Disney and Lucasfilm signed him on is no surprise. Now we just need to find a competent director. I wonder who would be up for the job? Read more…
Tags: Disney, Episode VII
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