“Oh, I’ll get to it eventually…” is not only the phrase I use most, but it could easily be the title of my autobiography. If you’re a geek like myself, you know just how hard it is to find time to check out all that amazing pop culture you’ve been missing out on. Not usually one to take stock in New Year resolutions, I decided to buckle down and give it a whirl; but with a geektastic spin. . .
You won’t find “lose weight,” “quit coffee” or any other proclamation on my list that will fade into obscurity within a matter of days; no ma’am. Instead what you’ll find are numerous forms of media/properties that I’ve yet to experience, ranging from books and comics to television and web series; and everything in between. Some of it has yet to be released while others are decades old, but that’s alright! Better late than never, and all that.
I feel the need to fill certain gaps in my ever-expanding geekness; like finally reading Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (and see how the movie stacked up). I want to read Alan Moore’s comic work that doesn’t spotlight any Watchmen or the Joker’s photography hobby, so Saga of the Swamp Thing, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V For Vendetta are all on my radar. I also want to visit another of Joss Whedon’s universes, and Firefly, Serenity and all the comic tie-ins are eagerly awaiting my arrival.
We don’t know about you, but we’ve always thought J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Hobbit was missing something. Sure, it’s a hugely successful, classic book with amazing characters and visuals. But we still feel like something is missing. What is that something you ask? A love story.
Apparently, Peter Jackson thinks so too, at least according to the newly released trailer for part two of his The Hobbit big screen trilogy. Thank goodness as it gives Orlando Bloom and Lost alumni Evangiine Lilly something to do besides shooting orcs with arrows.
But wait, there’s more. We also get a glimpse of what we think is probably the more important character in this tale: Smaug himself.
Yep, there be dragons (well, one anyway) and he looks pretty cool. Still not convinced this had to be three movies but we are convinced that nobody does Middle Earth like Peter Jackson. So, benefit of the doubt extended.
Check out the trailer after the break. (and yes, we’re joking about the love story).
Just when you thought we couldn’t get any more cool trailers for today, along comes this new one for Peter Jackson’s second installment of The Hobbit trilogy. Sorry, having to type ‘The Hobbit Trilogy” reminds us we were angry about this one book having to be split into three movies.
However, we’ll try to get over it, at least for today. That way, we can take a look at this trailer objectively and enjoy the fact that, at long last, we get a glimpse of the dragon Smaug.
From the looks of things, Jackson at least knows his way around a dragon. Plus, it’s nice to see Orlando Bloom show up again in what looks like two different roles. Guess he was jealous of John Rhys-Davies during the last trilogy.
Anyway, take a look at the trailer after the break. Look for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug to arrive in theaters on December 13.
This week on The Flickcast, Chris and Matt are back and better than ever. Or, they’re pretty much the same as ever.
But that’s not a bad thing. In fact, the “same” for these two talented dudes is pretty much awesome. So, sit back, relax and enjoy this episode where the boys discuss all manner of topics including the awesome Insane Office Escape video, some visual effects news, X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Hobbit, the first day of shooting on Godzilla, new Ant Man footage, Jean-Claude Van Damme in The Avengers and, the most important thing, a fundraiser for their friend Flitz who needs an operation and doesn’t have the money.
Chris and Matt also made picks this week incluidng Matt’s pick of Justice League Unlimited and Chris’ pick of the iOS app Feedly.
As always, if you have comments, questions, critiques, offers of sponsorship or whatever, feel free to hit us up in the comments, on Twitter, at Facebook or via email.
You know you have had a bad opening weekend when last year’s laughing-stock, John Carter, is looking at your totals and snickers.
Jack the Giant Slayer lead the way of a first week in March box office that came in like a limping lamb. The Bryan Singer directed film made a poor $28 Million over the weekend coming in over two million short of last year’s box office atom bomb.
If the top of the weekend releases was bad, the rest of the top ten was worse. Despite competition from two other new releases, the hit comedy Identity Thief still managed to hold onto second place with $9.7 million. That put the R-rated comedy over $100 million total and setting it on pace to be director Seth Gordon’s biggest hit yet, providing one of the few silver linings from this weekend.
It’s been nearly ten years since Middle Earth unfurled across the screen, and in that time, the Lord of the Rings films have cemented their place in cinematic history. The actors have aged, technology has evolved, and the influence of Peter Jackson’s trilogy is evidenced in all the three-plus-hour epics we’ve seen over the past decade.
Jackson slips back into this world seamlessly, elevating the grandeur but also reigning it in; instead of army battles and global chaos pitting kings against wizards and demons, this is a merrier tale of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and a band of dwarves hunting a lost treasure guarded by the fierce dragon Smaug.
Smaug, we’re told (and cleverly not shown until the very end) attacked the thriving dwarf city of Erebor years ago, evicting dwarven kind from their homeland (writing that I’m starting to wonder if there’s a parable here, big noses and all…) and forcing them to have it out with every other race in Middle Earth, from the orcs at Moria (the chief of whom kills the leader dwarf, Thorin’s, grandfather and becomes the main antagonist) to the elves at, uh, Elvania (the elves chose not to help the dwarves in the battle against Smaug).
Agree or disagree with their politics, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are just plain funny, no matter the situation. Recently, both men appeared on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, which is being taped in Brooklyn this week.
Putting aside our cynicism for a moment (and our dislike for brash commercialism), we bring you this new airline safety video from the folks at Air New Zealand. Why is this one of interest to us, or anyone else?
Well, it’s inspired by, and features quite a few characters from, The Lord of the Rings and the upcoming Hobbit films. Because they are all produced in New Zealand, get it?
Confused? You won’t be if you just watch and enjoy.
Even though we’re still not quite sure why The Hobbit has to be three movies (unless you consider good, old fashioned greed), we’re still pretty excited about seeing it (or them). Yes, we may have mentioned our reservations before once or twice, so?
Anyway, after some other bits and pieces, the first TV sport for part one has hit the airwaves. Check it out below.
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