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| “The Worst of Both World’s” via /Film |
What would a lightsaber look like if it were made of steam? When did Mandela appear in Star Trek? Who would win in a fight between a red shirt and a stormtrooper? Find out the Internet’s greatest moments in this week’s “Geek Bits.”
By the Way…6 Geekiest Things Inspired by Nelson Mandela
Yesterday it was announced that Nelson Mandela, the famous South
African anti-apartheid revolutionary, had died. His life touched
millions, but here are the geekiest inspirations from Mandela.
1. The “Mandela Particle”
In 1974, “Mandela Particle”
was a nuclear particle “40 to 70 times the mass of a proton” proposed to explain “an anomaly of their measurements of multi-TeV
cosmic rays near sea-level.” It was later disproved.
2. Elysium and District 9
South African director Neill Blomkamp said Nelson Mandela and his struggle for equality inspired his films.
“When I came up with the idea for District 9, I was very much in this
sociological mind – this Tijuana-border kind of thing, and growing up
in South Africa. I was just interested in it, and I knew I wanted to
make a science fiction film about the haves and the have nots…The way
that he dealt with not turning the country on itself, and the sort of
level of moral high ground is incredible. That is inspiring. All those
things are linked.” He wore Nelson Mandela’s prison number on a
bracelet around his wrist.
3. Woodpecker Fossil
The oldest known woodpecker fossil is named Australopicus nelsonmandelai.
4. Orchid
When Mandela visited the National Orchid Garden in Singapore they named a species of orchid “Paravanda Nelson Mandela.”
5. Star Trek
In the Star Trek: Enterprise
episode “Storm Front, Part II” an image of Nelson Mandela briefly
appears as Captain Archer corrects a damaged timeline. In the Star Trek novel Enterprise: The First Adventure Lieutenant Nyota Uhura visits Mandela City.
6. A Comic Book
In 2008 a comic book was based on the life of Nelson Mandela. Mandela joked, “You know you are famous when you discover you have become a comic book character.”
Links
10. Something Called ‘X-Men Apocalypse’ Is Coming In 2016(via Huffington Post)
#Xmen #Apocalypse 2016! — Bryan Singer (@BryanSinger) December 5, 2013
The Wrap speculates it’s the sequel to X-Men: Days of Future Past.
9. Amazing Spider-Man 2 Teaser Trailer Gets Commentary Track(via Bleeding Cool)
It seems now that we are getting almost
3 minute teaser trailers… we can now get almost 9 minute commentary
tracks. This was released this afternoon by Total Film Magazine and
included Mark Webb, The director of Amazing Spider-Man 2, Andrew
Garfield (Peter Parker), Emma Stone (Gwen Stacey), Dane Dehaan (Harry
Osbourne) and Jamie Foxx (Electro) talking about the filming of the
movie and possibly giving away some spoilers.
8. Steampunk Vader by Bjorn Hurri (via 2DGeek)
7. Watch The Creepier Version Of THE DARK CRYSTAL Jim Henson Wanted You To See (via Geek Tyrant)
This version is much darker and
supposedly the version Jim Henson and Frank Oz originally intended
audiences to see, but was re-dubbed at the request of producers as it
seemed confusing and too dark for audiences. This version removed the
narrator, inner monologues, and the Skeksis very rarely speak English.
There are some restored additional scenes and musical scores that were
removed as the years went on that you’ll notice throughout the film.
Overall, this film has a much darker and more surreal feel than The
Dark Crystal.
6. A Double Murder In Gotham’s Past (UPDATE) (via Bleeding Cool)
Bleeding Cool has been told by our
lovely new Warners source (who has been so useful this morning)
that “the pilot script for GOTHAM has Detective Jim Gordon trying to
solve a very famous double homicide.” The Waynes.
5. New Time of the Doctor Poster…by Blah Blah Blah Yackity Smackity
4. The Comics Industry Reflects On… The Death Of Nelson Mandela(via Bleeding Cool)
3. BATMAN BEGINS… As a Comedy in This Redone Trailer (via Geek Tyrant)
2. See the Star Wars VII audition script an actor posted to Instagram then deleted (via Blastr)
1. ‘The Addams Family’ Set As You’ve Never Seen It Before(via Huffington Post)
The series was filmed in black and white, which fit the Addams’ dark
nature, but the set was actually decorated in bright colors, as proven
by these pictures shot by Richard Fish:
Reviews
TV
Almost Human (01×02) “Skin”
Official Synopsis: “Det. John Kennex (Karl Urban)
investigates a murder and high-profile missing persons case in “Skin,”
the Series Premiere, Night Two, episode of ALMOST HUMAN”
The two try to find a murder that involves the illegal use of
human skin on robots. One thing that’s great about this show is it sets
up future crimes without being too hokey or confusing. This episode
also shows the isolation Dorian feels being the only “synthetic” that
can feel. He is touchingly symapthetic to others of his kind even
though they can’t reciprocate.
Almost Human (01×04) “The Bends”Official Synopsis: An old cop
friend of Detective Kennex’s (Karl Urban) goes undercover, posing as a
“cook” of a highly addictive street drug called “The Bends.” But his
cover is blown. As the scope of the intense drug investigation unfolds,
a determined Kennex and Dorian (Michael Ealy) call on Rudy Lom
(Mackenzie Crook) for assistance in the adrenaline-fueled all-new “The
Bends” episode of ALMOST HUMAN
Another fine episode as Kennex and Dorian get help from Rudy
(Mackenzie Crook) of all people in an undercover drug operation.
Besides being laugh out loud funny it shows that all the acting in this
show are top notch. Even the secondary characters work.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (01×09) “Repairs”
Official Synopsis: “Coulson and his
team are haunted by a mysterious force that threatens to destroy them
all, and only a secret from May’s past can save them.”
This was my least favorite episode so far. While it has some
great characterization for Agent May the final reveal of her past was a
bit of a let down. The idea of a haunting “ghost” was interesting, but
just didn’t fit well.
Books
The
Planet Thieves
by Don Krokos
Synopsis: The Planet Thieves is the first thrilling installment
of a new middle-grade series by Dan Krokos. Two weeks ago,
thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from
the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt. The trip was supposed to be a short
routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter. But
routine goes out the airlock when they’re attacked by the Tremist, an
alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years.
It’s impossible to review of a book like this without thinking of Ender’s Game and it’s a fair comparison. But, as a young adult novel, this book stands out on it’s own as a thrilling story about a war with an alien race that leads a boy to become a man. The twist ending was a little obvious because of the number of hints, but it still works.
Movies
The Hunger Games Catching Fire (2013)
Synopsis: “THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING
FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute
Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and
leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of
the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion
is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as
President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter
Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.”
A great sequel. The horrific experiences of the 74th Hunger Games leave
Katniss with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and we really get to explore
the world of Pan-Em. Putting her back in the games was an interesting
twist, but the “more lethal” tributes didn’t seem that much worse than
the first movie. The more lethal Arena was definitely a highlight
though. The only thing I didn’t like is that the movie ends with a
cliff-hanger since it’s setting up Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2. That’s what I hated about Matrix 2.
What do you think of this week’s links?
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<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="36482 ">14 Comments
I like Almost Human a lot more than Agents of SHIELD and yet I'm sure the latter will be canceled long after the former. I like the Dark Crystal rap version on Robot Chicken though I've never watched the actual movie.
Mandela has a woodpecker names after him – who knew?
The Dark Crystal was already dark. They made it darker? Sad, I heard it's lackluster success really depressed Henson after its release.
Almost Human is one of the best shows out there right now.
Great way to include Nelson Mandela. Now I need to take the time to watch this version of The Dark Crystal. Love 'The Addams Family bright colors pics!
Enterprise has a Mandela connection. Awesome!
So awesome that Nelson Mandela was shown appreciation while he lived, but what a loss for all of us. I imagine his reception in heaven was beyond anything even the creators of all these exciting movies and shows could create! I really like Almost Human, so much more than I ever thought I would, it's excellent – but Shield is really a struggle to sit through. Maybe it's due to all the back story – some good kick ass – lets show folks what these people can do to save the world would do better. Too much soap opera is a kill joy for me!
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The Batman as a comedy trailer was a great idea, but not quite funny enough to work. There really was very little humor in that movie, if I recall correctly. Still, A for effort.
Thanks for the look around the interwebs.
I liked the special Geek Twins flavored tribute to Nelson Mandela. Fun facts, none of which I knew! Also, I want to check out the darker Dark Crystal. It was one of my favorite movies as a kid (which really may say a lot about me…)
I think Dark Crystal is brilliant Shannon. I loved the one eyed astronomer and the creepy Skeksis. It says a lot about me too.
I thought that one would make you happy Tony!
Who knew it was so colorful? Especially the torture room David.
It is a great show Alex. Henson was depressed and it almost crushed him.
Yeah, you're probably right Pat. Original concepts die quick deaths on TV.
So much awesome stuff here. I'll take a look at some of these links. That's interesting about The Addams Family set and these Mandela facts are fascinating.