We Need Your Help...

We need your help to defeat Moon Nazis!  We are trying to get a screening of Iron Sky at the Wynnsong Theater.

What if a group of WWII Nazis escaped and built a base on the dark side of the moon?  For the past 70 years, these Nazis have been building an army to conquer the earth...they are now ready to begin the invasion!

This movie looks like awesome fun.  Please help us get a screening in Des Moines...just pre-order tickets (we need less than 30 more people to RSVP) through Tugg.  Only $10 each.  Please RSVP, there is only 2 days left to do so (RSVP ends Aug 17th).  It will be worth it...Moon Nazis!  How can you refuse?  Please click here to order your tickets: Iron Sky - Des Moines.  This event is pending and you will only be charged if we get enough people to go and the screening takes place.

Please join us! Iron Sky - Des Moines



Moon Nazis!  If you don't go, the Moon Nazis have won.

Wasn't Me...

I've been on a space kick the past couple months.  I am re-watching the TV series Defying Gravity, one of my favorite new shows that ABC decided to cancel.  ABC, why do you always do this to me?  Pushing Daisies, Happy Town, Better Off Ted, Invasion, Flash Forward, Middleman (ABC Family), etc...  Congratulations ABC, I think you have now taken over the top spot for most frustrating TV station.  I am getting to the point where I am not sure why I even give you a chance because I know you will leave me hanging.  I guess you need to make room for all your Bachelor/ette/pad shows.

Anyhow...

There are many great movies about space and space travel.  Movies that inspire, movies about the human spirit, movies that make me believe in humanity and give me hope that we aren't doomed.  I'm sure you know the ones that I am talking about: Apollo 13, 2001: A Space Oddity, The Right Stuff, From Earth to the Moon, Mission to Mars...realistic movies and movies that could be possible in the near future, not pure sci-fi like Star Trek or Star Wars.  There is always one movie that is left off the list.  In fact, most people haven't even heard of it but everyone I know that has seen it has loved it.  I first saw it about 10 years ago but forgot about it in the following years.  However, when I saw it on my friend Angie's bookshelf last week, I was very excited and knew we had to watch it soon.

This movie is of course: Rocketman starring Harland Williams (I know, you've probably never heard of it).

You may think that I am joking, but I am not (mostly).  It may not be the same kind of movie as the others but it is still great.  This is one of the funniest movies - it is like Ace Ventura in space.  You will laugh the entire time.  Idiotic humor, fart jokes, a monkey...this movie has it all.  I guarantee that you will be saying "It wasn't me..." for the next two weeks.  If you are in the mood for something fun and you have watched Borat too many times, give Rocketman a try.  Oscar winner it is not, but it will make you laugh (unless you are one of those New Yorker cartoon people, then this is too lowbrow for you).  Thanks to Angie for reminding me of this *classic*.

Alice - the review

Warning - Spoilers Below


I like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass...a lot. I read the books...the Lewis Carroll books, not the Disney adapted books, in fifth or sixth grade. I loved the books. Even though I have read them once...they still seem pretty clear in my mind (although it is quite possible that I am not remembering correctly...and you should keep that in mind). I am not sure why I haven't re-read them...mostly, I think, because I don't own them, so they aren't handy when I am needing something to read. I really should find a nice set to have for my bookshelves....I know Easton Press has a nice Alice, but I don't think they have Looking Glass. Sadness.

So as you read this review please note that 1) it is a pretty good movie and I think you should see it 2) that I have been probably a little too fanatical about Alice at times and so am completely biased.

My heart was embiggened when I first heard about the new Alice in Wonderland movie by Tim Burton. Who doesn't like Tim Burton? He is capable of amazing things and has a unique style that is wonderful. Alice & Tim seemed perfect for each other. The poster below had me really excited - all the Alice imagery with Tim Burton's skew...just the trademarked Burton curl on the tree/vine made me elated with the possibilities. I think it turned out well...just not what I really wanted to see.

Story:

• Liked - you are not getting the traditional Alice story. Alice is older and doesn't remember her childhood trip to Wonderland. Although I love the original stories, I think this is an interesting way to handle it (Sci-Fi channel did a similar thing in a mini-series a few months ago...pretty sure they were just trying to capitalize on the coming movie promotion but still it was interesting. PS Sci-fi...I still hate SYFY). Plus it allowed them to draw upon material from both books. I liked that they had more of a narrative running throughout the movie than the books had.
• Disliked - story inconsistencies with the books. The Red Queen and the Queen of Hearts are two totally different characters. The Queen of Hearts deals with playing cards. The Red Queen deals with chess. It was the Queen of Hearts that always yells "Off with their head!" I know Disney combined them too in the 50s...and that annoyed me too.I remember a lot more wit, logic puzzles, word play, puns, riddles, philosophy, etc... in the books. It is actually what I remember the best and what drew me to the books in the first place - this was mostly absent in the movie. They did keep the Raven and the Writing Desk bit...but I think it just confused most people (which was maybe the point). I was really expecting them to bring Alice's dad who vanished many years earlier back into the story (like somehow he got lost in Wonderland) to tie up that loose end but that never happened.

Visuals:

• Liked - The movie looked really good. The integration of the actors with the computer generated images was pretty seamless. The characters and scenery were all interesting designed and detailed. I am sure I missed many of the details and would like to see it again just to watch the background. I liked how the "real" world was barely in 3D and Wonderland had much more muchness.
• Disliked - Wonderland was really dark and kind of dreary. I think they wanted to show how much it had deteriorated since the last time Alice had been there. Although I understand this choice, I wanted to see much more of the pristine Wonderland with bright bold colors and everything exotic and pretty. I wanted the colors to pop like they did in Pushing Daisies. I figured at least at the end they would show Wonderland morphing back into it's vivid self...but nope. The 3D was decent but not spectacular...even though I hate when movies throw in scenes just for 3D effect, to me it seemed like Alice had scenes that would have benefited from more 3D effect.

Characters/Actors

• Liked - I thought all actors did a great job. Everyone had a really good performance. The Red Queen, the Tweedles, and Cat were great. Everyone else was really good. For one reason or another I found Alice really alluring in her armor (I must really be a dork).
• Disliked - The characters weren't as likable as I would have preferred. Again I think this is because they were down trodden from the Red Queen's tyranny but I was expecting more. I like a fun, happy, playful Mad Hatter...not just one that is simply crazy. And that goes for all characters.

The "XD" Experience - Jordan Creek Theater recently upgraded one of their main theaters to XD (When I say recent - this is the first movie to be shown in the upgraded theater, and so was only a week old). If you aren't familiar XD is a better sound system, bigger screen, comfier seats, etc... PS - XD stands for "eXtreme Digital" or something like that = gay.

• Liked - The bigger screen was nice, the sound was great, the seats were comfy and leather (I'm assuming fake) and reclined quite a bit more than regular seats.
• Disliked - The screen was bigger than your normal multiplex screen (wall to wall and taller) but it was no where near an Imax screen as far a filling your vision, it's not even as big as Merle Hay Theater's screen...so big but not huge. Seats were really comfy but if there was someone in front of you and they lean back it really limits your leg room. I was unable to cross my legs and if someone were to try to walk past it would have been pretty crowded. XD fee is an additional $2 on top of regular ticket price (and $3 glasses fee if in 3D), so Alice in 3D cost $14 a person (and there is no matinee discount!).

Synopsis

I think it is a good movie and worth seeing. It just didn't meet the high hopes that I had set for it. That being said, I would like to see it again but this time I will probably opt for 2D since 3D was a little underwhelming.

The Gubby Spirit

Be warned, in this post you will probably read the word "Gubby" more times that you have ever wanted to.

Every holiday season at my place of employment (Gubbyco, a division of Fuckyco International), we work with a local charity group to help provide gifts to underprivileged children. Human resources call them "Star Kids" because if you want to buy a gift for a child you are given a star shaped piece of paper with the child's name, age, interests, and gift ideas. I call them Gubby Kids.

This is where "Gubby" actually came from (in case you were wondering - I'm sure you weren't). The first year that I participated in the Star Kids program, my brother invited me to go out and do something one evening but I emailed him back saying "Can't got to go buy a present for my little, grubby kid." Of course I was joking, I know it is not the children's fault that they are growing up underprivileged (and I have loved the term grubby since local band Grubby Ernie). But I mistyped and it ended up 'gubby' instead of 'grubby.' That lead to a "What's gubby?" and I realised that it was too good of a word to forget about, so I adopted it. The real meaning of gubby is nothing, but yet it is like "smurf" and can match whatever context it is used it.

I have been a big supporter of the Gubby kid program over the years. HR usually calls me as soon as the Stars come in so that I can pick out my kids first. I want to make sure that I get kids that have good interests and tastes that don't just reflect the latest fads. I prefer creativity and books over dolls and video games. I like giving gifts that although the kids to use their mind's (because honestly, growing up underprivileged they probably don't have much more...and I know if I get anything that takes batteries that within a month they probably won't be able to play with it). I usually try to get one gubby boy and one gubby girl (at the minimum).

It used to be that the best toy wish would trump everything else. I like buying cool toys, books, art supplies. Those are the things that I would have wanted when I was a kid. I think Christmas should be about toys for the kids. Then Amanda The First had to come along and put social commentary into my gift buying by saying "You know, the kids that ask for clothes and other necessities probably REALLY need those items." That actually bothered me quite a bit because she was right. I loved buying the kids the coolest toys, books, art supplies but the ones that really needed a good Christmas were the ones that required necessities just to live life. Not just a toy to make them happy at Christmas time but coats to keep them warm all winter or clothing to wear to school. These were the kids that really needed help. I really don't enjoy buying those things though, so it seemed more like a chore than a fun activity. I now compromise and choose children that have both toys and other fun items as well as more necessity items on their wish list. This way, I still get to shop for smaller toys but also fulfill some requirements for living. So far, it has been working out well for me (hopefully for the children too).

I was a little disappointed with the boys this year though as it was mostly Transformers and Bakugan. I finally chose a young boy who wanted Hot Wheels and clothes. I wasn't crazy about the Hot Wheels but knew that I could find a couple small sets to go together to make a good experience and have money left over for clothing. I was really happy with my girl this year as she was a preteen who wanted science fiction and some school clothing. She was at the perfect age I think to really appreciate the Ugly series of books and a blossoming interest in sci-fi should be nurtured because I know she is probably getting all kinds of shit for being a dork at school. I hope they enjoy their gifts and hope they and all the rest of the underprivileged children have a really good Christmas.

Two Minutes Hate

Syfy




Last week the Sci-Fi channel changed it name to Syfy. Supposedly this is to help make it seem more hip and less geek oriented. I hate it. What better time has their been to be a geek? Star Trek has been re-launched to great success. X-Men, Wolverine, Batman, and other comic book heroes are now mainstream and bigger than ever. Prime time has The Big Bang Theory, Lost, Terminator:TSCC, and Fringe. People of all ages watch cartoons. Video games are played by grandmas in nursing homes. When has being geeky ever been more popular and cool? But not to the Sci-Fi channel, they no longer want to be the geeky kids on the block, they want to be the cool kids...sorry but a name change doesn't make you cool.


To me, it seems more like a dumbing down of the channel. OMG - it is like Sci-Fi in text, LOL! Really is that what we need? It just seems stupid...next r wez gonna 2 haz LOLcat speek? SYfy iz in ur tv, sendin ur showz. It started a while ago when the programming started changing. Sci-Fi started to get things that weren't really Science Fiction oriented - ECW Wrestling being the most notable example. As a self confessed geek, I could see how some other geeks might like this...and hey if it helps pay the bills for Eureka, Battlestar Gallatica, Tin Man, and Doctor Who, that means it is fine by me. Diversity is not a bad thing, I don't mind the channel trying new things even if they aren't traditionally sci-fi...it is just that so much progress has been made over the years to make science fiction seem not as dorky to the general public that this name change seems to nullify some of that progress in my mind. It's like they are saying that they can never succeed with that name. I don't believe that. It just seems like they are trying to hide what they are instead of being proud of it. I don't know it just seems like this is the first step in devolution going from Fuddruckers to Buttfuckers.






Not that Syfy is a horrible name. In fact, there was a pretty well known (among us geeks) website names Syfyportal. They recently changed their name because they sold it to Sci-Fi channel's ownership group (as noted here). However, I never really liked the name. It always seemed really cheesy.


I do like their subtitle of Imagine Greater. I think that is subtle and yet full of potential. So good job there.




Top Five Things that pop into my mind when I see Syfy :

1. Syfy = Shut Your Fucking Yap


2. Syfy = Suck You, Fuck You


3. Syfy = Syphillis


4. Syfy = Sisyphus


5. Syfy = Sexy Filly

Long live Sci-Fi.








End Hate

Honorable Mentions - Books

There are a few books that I am seriously considering re-reading even though it is not my normal Modus Operandi.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

This is a love story that has a very mild sci-fi touch. Basically the main character of the story, Henry, has a disorder called Chrono Displacement Disorder that randomly causes him to physically time travel to various parts of his life...past or future. If you are not a sci-fi fan, you should not be scared of this book. It is sci-fi lite, no real science or geeky formulas or anything. The sci-fi just provides an interesting stage for a great love story.

I am a sucker for time travel stories (I am not sure why), so when I saw this displayed on the new releases shelf at the bookstore I immediately picked it up. I was snared by a quote the was printed along the display that went something like this "Henry met his wife, Claire, for the first time when he was 28 and she was 20. Claire, however, has known Henry her entire life meeting him when he was in his 40s and she was 6 years old." That was just too intriguing of a hook for me to pass up.

What I really liked about this book was the narrative style. For the most part, the first half of the book is from Henry's point of view. Him travelling, learning about his condition, and meeting his wife at a younger age. Henry always seems to be wise since he knows so much about the future. The second half of the book is more from Claire's point of view. We have caught up to the present and now Claire is the one with all the knowledge because all of these time travel trips happened when she was a little girl. The style was just completely engaging and made you want to read just one more chapter.

This is on the top of my list of books to re-read when I have the time and desire. It probably would have happened already but a co-worker borrowed it and quit before returning it...even though I had asked for it. What a bitch! I'm sure I will buy it again sometime in the very near future...it is probably my favorite book that I randomly picked up. Definitely my favorite written in the past few years. Maybe not a classic, but definitely a nice, fun read.

The movie is set to release in August. I am not sure how I feel about that. I don't think it will be able to match the feeling of the book, but I thought that about Lord of the Rings and they did a good job. Not happy that Eric Bana is Henry as I always found him somewhat blasé. Rachel McAdams will be a good Claire though...and Ron Livingston is in it, so bonus points there.

Dangers Lurk at Every Corner

Over the weekend, GF-Unit and I headed to the Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa Book Sale. I love books and book sales. Which can be a bad thing for me, too often I can not resist buying a book, only to have that book sit on a shelf for years and years unread. I read as much as I can, but limited time (and reading speed) tend to destroy my plans to read many books. When moving into my house after college, I packed up box after box after box of books - many read but many also left unread for years to donate to the local goodwill. I had boxes full of all kinds of books - how to, fiction, autobiography, non-fiction, sci-fi, novels, hardbound, paperback, and everything in between. I could easily spend an afternoon at Half Price Books in Des Moines, or The Master's Library in Cedar Falls (sadly now closed I believe) and walk out with a box or two full of books and a wallet $100 lighter...and this happened many times. I could remember buying most and my intentions for reading them, but my tastes went elsewhere.

Nowadays, I tend to try to be a little more discriminating and try to plan to read everything I buy within a one year period. This policy in itself seems uncomplicated but when you factor in upcoming releases, recommended books, interesting things I stumble across, loss of focus, various time restraints...it is difficult to plan this all out while at a sale. But I try. So I kept my diet of books light this sale, concentrating on books that I don't see to often or belong to a series I have already started reading.

I wouldn't say that I found anything too amazing or got any totally outstanding deals...but I got some things that I have wanted for a little while. I picked up several of the books in the Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L'Engle. I re-read Wrinkle a couple months ago (first time I have read it since fifth grade) with the intention of reading the rest of the series. So these were kind of a planned purchase. I also found a book by Lloyd Alexander (the Black Cauldron) that I hadn't read (another childhood favorite but our library only had a small selection). A few books in the series Bio of a Space Tyrant by Piers Anthony (Hetero-Life Pal CT got me into these after I read Incarnations...but I never finished the series). A few Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series books - I've only read the original trilogy. The second novel in the Golden Compass trilogy. A few other random novels that I have been wanting to read. Not a great haul, but for $30 not too bad.

I think the Planned Parenthood sale is great but there is so much there, that it can be a little disorienting. There are SO many books. They are broken down into very general categories like: Novels, Fiction, Sci-Fi, Hardcover, Paperback, Childrens, DIY, etc... For me that is a great start, but I can guarantee that if they were also in order by either Author or Title that I would be much more inclined to buy a much larger selection of books. I am sure it is cost prohibitive in both time and money but this would allow me to grab the books I really wanted first before going through all the rest. As it is, I think twice before picking up a book because I am not sure if I will want to carry it around while I scan the spines on table after table of books. Sure I will find something I didn't know I wanted through the random scanning but it wastes so much time of what could be confirmed sales if I was able to find the books I wanted faster and easier. I could do my initial shopping within 30 minutes if they were sorted and then go back for randoms and surprises...now it takes me 2 hours to just to get through half the tables that might find something interesting on.

Can't wait till the fall sale.

60% Dork

I have long known that I am a dork. I've always enjoyed all the dorky things in life - Tolkien (long before the movies), Star Wars, Star Trek, D&D, Dr Who, sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, action figures...that type thing. I agree more with Dwight on the If it is dorky, I will usually like it. I just have never known how dorky. Hetero Life-Pal CT and I once went to a Star Trek convention...it cost $15 - I was expecting maybe $5. I was very disappointed in the whole experience, so I could always say "At least I am not THAT dorky..."

Star Wars was always one of my biggest dork weaknesses - Yes, I have watched all three original movies in a single night. Yes, I saw all the re-releases on opening night. Yes, I can quote way too many Star Wars lines. Yes, I have bought the Star Wars soundtrack on more than one occasion. What can I say? Going to see Star Wars in the theater is one on my earliest memories.

When Marc Ecko Cut & Sew came out with his Boba Fett hoodie last year, I thought "I am not dorky enough to spend $100 on a Star Wars hoodie." Although I think there are tons of cool Star Wars toys available now (have you seen the Lego Star Destroyer? Awesome.) I have always avoided buying them...not wanting to be the middle-age Star Wars collecting dork who proclaims his religion as The Force. Secretly though, I coveted the hoodie and had little day dream fantasies of wearing it. Today, they are having a 40% off sale. I found out that I must be 60% dork because that seemed a reasonable price to pay (still a little high for a hoodie but at least palatable).