Geek Mentality

I Have Until Sunday To Figure Out Where This Kid Got This Paint!

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:24:00 -0400

The finalized special effects on Avengers must really be amazing!

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:19:00 -0400

If this is how it was filmed! ;-)

Smallville - Season 11 - Issues 1 and 2

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:32:00 -0400

So I was just about the talk about issue 1 of “Smallville: Season 11” when I saw that issue 2 is available. And boy am I glad I read that one before writing my thoughts.

The first one was nice. Nice to see where are favorite Smallville characters are after six months since Superman (weird finally calling him that) saved Earth. And years before the final moments of the Smallville finale.

The art wasn’t fantastic, but it’s growing on me. The first issue was really quick with showing some of the shows regulars, and had Superman saving some Russian cosmonauts and just being - Superman.

The second issue I thought was a lot more fun. We got to see Clark & Lois spend some time together - and Lex & Clark. While the last issue focused on the Superman Clark has become, this issue brought us back to the man that Clark still is.

We got to see how Lex is somewhat recuperating since his memory loss and how he already wants to defend the world from Superman - while also talking about the Russians again (not sure if that’s going to be a bigger story, but the trouble that the Russians ran into originally I think might be)

And I think the final moments of the issue brought back a familiar face that I totally did not plan on seeing again - at least I think that’s who I saw (again the art, while okay is not great).

It’s weird seeing a drawing of Tom Welling in the Superman outfit, but we all know this was his destiny and to be able to enjoy more of one of my favorite shows - even if only in comic book form - is still pretty satisfying.

Excited for the "Return" of Smallville

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:50:00 -0400

Yesterday I bought the first issue of the new “Smallville” comic for “Season 11” - and I can’t wait to read it. Well, I can actually. I didn’t read it on the train ride home yesterday because there were too many people talking. I didn’t read it last night because I had a headache - I want to read it with perfect conditions so I can sit back and enjoy this without any distractions.

Check back here soon for my thoughts on this first issue.

Guess What I'll be Doing Tonight?

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:27:00 -0400

Catching Up With "The Boys" by Garth Ennis

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:42:00 -0500

I started reading this book a couple years ago and tailed off - but now I’ve started to play catch up and let me tell you one thing.

This book is RIDICULOUS.

I mean that in a good way.

If you aren’t familiar with “The Boys”, basically it’s about a group of guys/girl working in some form or fashion for the government, and their job is to keep superheroes in line.

Sounds basic enough, but this book is probably the most graphic thing I’ve ever read. I like reading comics on the subway to work sometimes, and this is one that I can’t read unless I am certain nobody can see over my shoulder.

These aren’t the superheroes we know and love from the Marvel or DC Universe. These are corporate sponsored, egotistical, uncontrollable, sick minded people - with almost unlimited power.

And that’s where The Boys come in.

It’s one of those books where you’re just not sure what you’re going to see when you turn that page.

Illustrated by Darick Robertson, “The Bots” is written by Garth Ennis, who to me is most famous for writing another series called “Preacher.” I’ve read that one all the way through, and again what a crazy book.

What that book does for religion, this one does for the world of superheroes.

If you’re not easily offended and like good, fun storytelling I suggest you pick up the first trade and give it a try.

And before looking it up let me save you the time, yes one of the character’s looks is based on actor Simon Pegg.

So give it a try (at your own risk) and let me know what you think. Or, if you already read it - let me know!

Star Trek Season One Checklist

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:04:00 -0500

Last Updated 3/6/12

I am taking FOREVER to do this, but one thing I am not doing is giving up….

~~00 “The Cage”~~

~~01 “The Man Trap”~~

~~02 “Charlie X”~~

~~03 “Where No Man Has Gone Before”~~

~~04 “The Naked Time”~~

~~05 “The Enemy Within”~~

~~06 “Mudd’s Women”~~

~~07 “What Are Little Girls Made Of?”~~

~~08 “Miri”~~

~~09 “Dagger of the Mind”~~

~~10 “The Corbomite Maneuver”~~

~~11 “The Menagerie, Part I”~~

~~12 “The Menagerie, Part II”~~

~~13 “The Conscience of the King”~~ 4/26/11

~~14 “Balance of Terror”~~ 5/3/11

~~15 “Shore Leave”~~

~~16 “The Galileo Seven”~~ 5/31/11

~~17 “The Squire of Gothos”~~

~~18 “Arena”~~

~~19 “Tomorrow Is Yesterday”~~

~~20 “Court Martial” 8/16/11~~

~~21 “The Return of the Archons”~~

~~22 “Space Seed”~~

~~23 “A Taste of Armageddon”~~

~~24 “This Side of Paradise”~~3/6/12

25 “The Devil in the Dark”

26 “Errand of Mercy”

27 “The Alternative Factor”

28 “The City on the Edge of Forever”

29 “Operation: Annihilate!”

Sweet Tooth is So Good!

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:28:00 -0500

I’d heard nothing but good things about this book, written by Jeff Lemire, for a while now, but kept avoiding it for some reason. Finally I picked up a few collections and instantly fell in love with it.

If you enjoy interesting serialized story telling or post-apocalyptic tales of weird - then you must already be reading this. If you are not, I suggest you pick up the first trade now.

I went from trying it, to loving it, to almost caught up with it in a matter of days. Immediately saying “okay, just one more issue” after you finish an issue is a sure tale sign that I love this book.

And I do.

I Still Love Survivor!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500

I am not a big fan of reality television. Well, I’m not a fan of non-competitive reality at all. I leave all that E!, Bravo, and MTV stuff to my wife - she’s the reason it sits on my DVR!

However, I am a sucker for the competitive reality (and I do enjoy the pawn and storage shows I have to admit). Whether people are competing to make a better piece of toast or just to outwit, outplay and outlast - I do tune in.

I wouldn’t classify reality television as geeky really, but Face Off on SyFy is probably the closest thing.

But I am and (almost) always have been a Survivor geek.

For the first three or four years, we’d get together with friends and have a Survivor night. We’d have a fantasy pool where we’d draw names from a hat. I think the prize was dinner, but that’s besides the point.

The point is - Survivor is back tonight and I’m actually really happy about it.

We don’t get together with those friends for every episode anymore, but we still usually watch the finales together. And the “we” has turned into the “me” as my wife as lost interest over the years.

Her reasoning - it’s the same thing over and over.

I think that’s the same reason I watch it! Sure it’s pretty much the same thing, but they keep it fresh and add twists every season. Redemption Island adding an amazing twist to people’s fate these last two seasons, and tonight having both tribes on one island should add even more twists.

What if people overhear strategy? What if people decide to betray their team?

I actually joined the Survivor Fantasy game where you pick the top 4 players each week - gives me a rooting interest going in (even though the people and their personalities will give me a real rooting interest in the coming weeks).

See - as I type this, I’m getting geeked up.

If you love Survivor too, lemme know! And enjoy tonight!

Return of the Living...I Mean, Walking Dead

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:52:00 -0500

A Short & Sweet Review:

Very happy to see The Walking Dead return last night. Picking up right where it left off before their hiatus - last night we saw how “The Barn Incident” affected Herschel, how it’s affecting the other’s outlook not only on Shane - but on their lives as a whole.

And we saw Rick Grimes, without even a hint of a flinch, prove that he will do ANYTHING to keep his family (and those in his group) safe.

Even though I read the comic book, this show has proven that it will go in different directions and not just rehash stories that some of us have already read.

And because of that, and because of the fantastic acting - I am psyched to see where they’re going to take us for the rest of the season!

Dunder Mifflin Misses Michael Scott

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:32:00 -0500

I started watching The Office towards the end of its first season. Once I introduced my wife to the show, we both became instantly hooked. Today, it’s really one of the only shows we still watch together (I watch a lot of TV, she watches stuff like 90210 - enough said).

The thing is, we don’t necessarily watch it on Thursday nights anymore. It’s really lost some of it’s “Must Seeness” for us - and of course that’s because of one reason.

We miss Michael Scott.

As I write this, it’s Saturday afternoon. Two nights ago there was a brand new episode of The Office and it’s still sitting unwatched on our DVR. I know my wife and I will eventually watch it - probably tomorrow night - but it’s just not the appointment viewing that it used to be.

The Office used to be one of those shows that we watched at the moment it aired - Thursday at 9pm. Now, the only sitcoms I watch when they’re “live” on the air are the two shows that precede The Office on Thursday - Community and Parks & Recreation.

Well, now it’s just Pars & Recreation - but that’s a story for another day.

Honestly, we still like the show. It’s still fun and enjoyable and makes me at least chuckle if not laugh each week.

But it’s missing that certain something. That certain someone. It’s missing the old boss.

Of course, Michael Scott wasn’t everything on that show - but he was the center of The Office universe. He was not only the star but the main focal point that most of the other stories revolved around.

Usually, episodes had an “A” story line that more often than not was a Michael Scott storyline, then there were other stories that made each episode.

Now - I feel like I am watching a bunch of “B” and “C” storylines but with no “A” storyline to anchor the episode.

I actually think James Spader does a great job, but the fact that he’s not he boss - not the focal point - I think was a bad choice.

I like Andy - but putting him as the branch manager was basically just putting a “Michael Scott Lite” in the position - someone who makes silly choices, constantly is looking for approval, and yet always comes out on top.

Sound familiar?

I can’t imagine the show has a lot of legs left - maybe another season in it? Whether this or next year is it’s last - or if it’s around for 3-4 more season, I’m sure I will sill be watching.

Just not on Thursdays at 9pm.

Chuck Finale Review

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:48:00 -0500

As I mentioned in an post earlier today, I went over to my friend’s house early to watch the first ever episode of Chuck. And boy and I glad that I did.

(Spoilers ahead)

Tonight’s final Chuck was really two episodes aired back-to-back and spliced together into one nice long finish. The first hour was really focused on the recent storyline where Sarah, after her brain gets fried by faulty Intersect use forgets who Chuck is and actually gets manipulated into thinking she needs to kill him.

That was all fine and well, and although I thought it was all going to be wrapped up in that first hour - it really wasn’t. It spilled over into the second hour (making it feel even more like one 2 hour episode - but trust me, it wasn’t) and was part of a bittersweet - and FANTASTIC - way for the show to go out.

I’m not sure that I would have picked up on things as much as I did if I hadn’t just watched the pilot episode, but there were so many great call backs in that last hour that it was like taking a walk down memory lane.

From Chuck and Sarah’s first “date,” to revisiting another mission, to bringing back the Weinerlicious (there really is nothing like a Weinerlicious uniform), to bringing back Chuck’s hesitance at shooting people - it was great to see all these moments relived.

There were flashbacks and callbacks (Sarah fought a lot like Bryce in episode 1.01), mentions of Chuck’s dad, and Chevy Chase’s villainous character.

And Jeffster!!!!! Do I really need to say more than that? They’re music literally saved lives - and for it they’re going to be huge in Germany.

A classic ending for them.

And most importantly, Chuck saved the day - but in a bittersweet (my theme word for this episode) moment he chose to do so instead of possibly restoring Sarah’s memory.

He chose to do so by taking back the Intersect. On a show based on a regular guy getting a government supercomputer stuck in his brain, tonight was the only time in thirteen episodes that we got to see Chuck flash (not zoom) and save the day.

Oh - and the way he saved it - a direct call back to the first episode, saving the day with the same computer virus that he used to save the day back then.

And when all was said and done, Chuck met Sarah out on the very same beach she met Chuck on way back in the beginning. Back then she told him to trust her - this time it was him doing the asking.

Then there was that nice moment when Chuck basically told their story to Sarah to try to maybe job some memories back. It certainly sparked something with her….

I am happy to see that Morgan is moving in with Alex, happy to see that Casey is going after Verbanski, and I am happy/sad to see that Awesome and Ellie were getting moving to Chicago

I am a sucker for the perfect happy ending, and while this one did have A happy ending - it was not THE happy ending we were all hoping for - and that brings me back to my word of the day.

Bittersweet.

Chuck finally mentions to Sarah what Morgan suggested - Kiss her and maybe all her memories would come back (he’d been watching a lot of Disney movies). And after Chuck told their story to Sarah, and mentioned the idea of the kiss - Sarah asked for it.

And they kissed. And……

Bittersweet.

Did it work? Are her memories back? Do they start at page one again? Do they fall back in love again? These are the answers that we were not told and will never know.

And that (say it with me) is bittersweet.

Goodbye Chuck!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:51:00 -0500

I remember over the summer of 2007 listening to a GeekShow Entertainment podcast as they previewed the new shows of the 2007 Fall television series. I specifically remember being grocery shopping (no lie) when they talked about a show where a nerdy guy gets a super computer inputted into his mind and gets thrown into a world of action and adventure.

That intrigued me.

2007 was also a year my wife and I were still living with friends after moving back from Florida the previous Fall. I remember telling my friend about this show and that we should give it a try.

We did, and we both fell in love with the show. While living with them for almost another year, we watched every episode together. After moving out, I still would go over every Monday (and now Friday) night to watch Chuck together. It was our show.

And tonight, I’m going back over to say goodbye. Goodbye, Chuck.

After five seasons, 91 episodes, surviving a writer’s strike, threat’s of cancellation, shortened seasons, and just holding on a network that’s been going through a ratings struggle, tonight we get the bittersweet moment of closure as the final two episodes of Chuck air on NBC from 8pm - 10pm.

What can I really say about Chuck? To me, it was great mixture of a show. You had some drama, some cool action, and some really geeky moments. But Chuck NEVER took itself seriously. At the heart of things, it really was an hour long comedy, that sprinkled in all the other elements of action and drama.

But to go along with that were also some really REALLY great characters. Characters that you fell in love with. Characters that you wanted to hang out with. Characters that felt like friends - and if a show can make it’s viewers feel that way about their characters, then they know that they have something pretty special.

Five of my favorite show moments were:

Jeffster singing at Ellie and Awesome’s wedding
Awesome discovering Chuck’s secret
Morgan discovering Chuck’s secret (while the Buy More was defended by nerf guns with Jon Fogerty music playing)
“You have a Zune?” Anything to do with the Missle Command episode
“I know Kung Fu!” When Chuck got the upgraded intersect

The moment when Chuck went from “guy with information in his brain” to “guy that can kick major ass” was really a great season finale. That is one thing that Chuck always did well - they always had great season finales. I can only assume that the same will be said about the series finale.

Another thing that I love about Chuck is the “Chuck Villian.” A lot of the time they were the classic “I’m going to explain what I’m about to do and give you time to figure out a way to stop me” bad guys.

They had some great guest villians too. From Brandon Routh’s “Shaw” to Chevy Chase’s “Ted Roark” to my personal favorite - Timothy Dalton’s “Alexi Volkoff.”

I LOVE when I see Chuck or Sarah beating up a guy and another guy - holding a gun - is seemingly standing there waiting to be beat up next. Is it realistic? Hell now, but that’s not the point! This is not a show to be dissected and analyzed - it’s a show to be enjoyed.

And enjoy it we did - for five years

And don’t think having a former James Bond was just a coincidence of casting. The awesome guest stars on this show have been around for years - and you don’t have to look any further then Linda Hamilton and Scott Bakula as Chuck and Ellie’s parents.

Fantastic.

To close out this post, I wanted to share a video from my friend’s house. This was shot during the second episode of season 4. For some reason (I have no real idea why) my friend’s son started dancing like a chicken whenever the Chuck theme song (by the great band Cake) would come on. If you think I love Chuck, you should see my friend - he’s the one with all the DVD’s and even got his youngest kind in on it.

The kid started dancing like this to make us laugh - and kept on doing it to keep us laughing every episode. Lately he tries to be a little “too cool” to do it, but I have been able to get it out of him from time to time.

And tonight - I’ll be sure to ask him to do his Chuck dance - one last time.

Goodbye Chuck. And thanks.

2011 in Geek Mentality

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:04:10 -0500

Looking back on the my “Year in Geek.”

We’re already weeks into into 2012 and I’m just now getting into my look back at 2011. That pretty much sums me up with this blog. Not enough updates!

Hopefully, 2012 will be different.

As I look back on this year, I devoured many books and tv shows, some movies, and books, and even got some new gadgets. I caught up on a bunch of things and planned on marathoning (that is not a word) through other things that didn’t quite go as planned.

Let’s start with that one.

TELEVISION

A geek goal that I set up for myself last year was to watch EVERYTHING Star Trek. If you’ve ever been to this site you’ve seen the sidebar countdown. It started at 737 and after a year it’s only down to 716. I haven’t given up on this - but instead of it being a year’s goal, let’s make it a goal for the decade.

I keep wanting to go back and watch a bunch of episodes, but other television things got in the way.

2011 was the year that I got caught up with Dexter. It’s the year I discovered and got caught up with Parks & Recreation and Justified. Plus there were so, so, so many current shows that I watched and still watch that Trek always got pushed on the back burner.

Let’s hope 2012 changes that a bit.

For me, without a doubt - the biggest television moment for me was the final episode of Smallville. It really became an “event” for me, much like the final Lost. I got together with a friend, watched the pilot episode, ate pizza, and cheered at the end.

Even though this may will be one year without this show - I really do still miss it.

READING

I’m always reading something. It may take me a while to read a book, but there always is a current book with me. And of course there are always a bunch of comics that I am devouring - even more so thanks to the iPad I got over the summer.

2011 was the year I read Gauntlgrym: Neverwinter Saga, Book I by my favorite author R.A. Salvatore.

It was also the year I started reading “A Game of Thrones” because of how much I loved the television series. Oh, and it was also the year I stopped reading A Game of Thrones because it was taking me way too long.

In comics, 2011 was the year that I caught up with Fables (still one of my favorites), Chew, Scalped - and my favorite new book - Locke & Key.

This book is written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez. Joe Hill’s real name is Joseph Hillstrom King - yes he is Stephen King’s son. The reason I loved this book was pure and simple - great truly original story telling with some really clean beautiful art.

Like many good stories, this one was optioned for a television series. Sadly, it wasn’t picked up - even though a pilot episode was produced.

MOVIES

I’m not going to lie, I can probably count the number of movies that I’ve seen in the theater on one hand this past year. Of course the biggest one that I saw was the final Harry Potter. The smallest one that I saw was the most recent Paranormal Activity.

The most Thorish one that I saw - was Thor surprisingly.

My two favorites, hands down, were Super 8 and the Muppets.

Super 8 because I am a sucker for a group of kids on an adventure - and for the way that this movie made me feel like a kid again.

And the Muppets…..Because it made me feel like a kid again. Oh, and it because it was awesome.

This posting pretty much represents the way I’ve handled this web site/blog lately. Frantic, badly written, no detail, and very late (it’s almost February!).

But I had to get something up as fast as I could to close out last year and open up this year - so let’s hope that 2012 leads to more posts, tweets, and videos than any year previously.

So stay tuned to GeekMentality.com and lets make our final year before the end of the world a good one.

In Case You Haven't Seen The Hobbit Trailer Yet...

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:39:00 -0500

All In A Day's Work

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:32:00 -0500

Yes, part of my work today (shooting a holiday video) had me wearing this. Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday.

Muppets! Muppets! Muppets!

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:25:00 -0500

Next week a great piece of my childhood is returning to the big screen as The Muppets return to the big screen for the first time in over a decade in - what else, The Muppets.

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the Muppets. Whether it was on Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, or the original 3 movies - I loved it.

I had The Muppets Take Manhattan soundtrack and watched the it over and over on my VCR (after recording it as the Sunday night movie on HBO.

I still remember seeing the people magazine with Sammy Davis Jr. on the cover because he had just died. In the upper right corner was Jim Henson - who had also just died. I remember thinking - for me - Jim Henson deserved the main part of the cover.

If you ever watched the Jim Henson memorial on YouTube - and cried like a baby - then you know what I mean.

I remember going to Disney World in 2002 with a big group of friends. We were all in our mid to late 20s, and there were a few kids ranging from 6-12. When we saw Kermit the Frog - it was all the “adults” that were excited - the kids barely even noticed him (which really means my friends were failures as parents if you ask me).

After years of rumors and projects in development - I am extremely excited that Jason Segal has worked to bring the Muppets back - and look forward to going to the movies this week and feeling like a kid again.

I just hope that other 30-somethings (and 40-somethings) feel the same way and this movie becomes a huge success - because the Muppets, and Jim Henson’s legacy, deserves it.

Say It Ain't So!? Community Sidelined!

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:20:00 -0500

The butthole flag at Greendale Community College is flying at half mast today.

By now, I am sure that you’re aware that @nbc has announced that Community is not part of their midseason schedule. They say that the show is not canceled - but doesn’t that really just mean “not yet?”

It really is a shame that a show so unique and innovative can’t draw an audience - but it’s probably the uniqueness of the show that is to blame for its small audience.

That and the fact that it is on NBC.

Think about it, Two & a Half Men and Mike & Molly get great ratings, but there is nothing special about these shows - and dare I say not much funny about them (even though the laugh track tells me there is).

But those shows are on CBS - and I’ve come to the conclusion that more people watch CBS than any other network, so whatever show comes on CBS - that is what they’ll be watching.

My 70 year old father-in-law knows what the Big Bang Theory is - why? Because it’s on CBS.

Am I going to hurt your feelings if I tell you the truth about that show?

I watch it. Actually I’ve never missed an episode. I find it amusing. I chuckle from time to time - maybe even laugh once in a while.

But for Christ’s sake that show is overrated.

Maybe it’s the laugh track? Maybe it’s because everybody tells me how great it is? Maybe because it constantly beats the tar out of the Thursday night NBC comedies (Community and Parts &Recreation being my favorite).

Yeah, I think it’s jealousy on my part. When I see the creativity and quality that goes into both Community and Parks & Recreation - only to see it get destroyed by a multi-camera, laugh-tracked, simple joke television show it pisses me off.

I think I’m just bitter really. Bitter at NBC and at audiences. At least NBC tries to deliver these quality shows - but the audiences aren’t there - so the sponsor money isnt’ there - and really what is NBC supposed to do?

They do this for the money - all the channels do. The producers do their best to create quality shows, but if they don’t get a good enough audience - sponsor money isnt’ there - and the cost of creating these shows just becomes too great.

Of course that is why there are so many reality shows. Cheap cost to produce and therefore the sponsor money is that much greater.

OK - these are just the ramblings of an angry television fan. I apologize for any facts I got wrong or if I came of like a crazy person….

There is still a bit of hope out there - so I’m going to go hold on to that now (as I rock back and forth in the corner holding my superman blanket.)

My Wife Dragged Me To a Craft Show and All I Got...

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:35:46 -0500

Was This Awesome #Superman Blanket.

You Should be Watching American Horror Story

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:05:00 -0400

Seriously, if you are not watching this show, then you are missing out on one of the most suspenseful, bizzare, horrific, frightening, and awesome television shows on the air right now.

I like to think that Glee is suffering because its creators are putting all their focus here. I’m sure that’s not true - but after watching four episodes (and catching up on number five tonight) I’m craving for more.

That’s when I know I’m hooked.

Already renewed for a second season, check out American Horror Story if you haven’t yet. If you have - tell me what you think!