Interviewed on WPIX!

In an earlier post I mentioned that I was recently interviewed at the Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiere by Mario Diaz of WPIX channel 11. The story that didn’t make the final segment edit is that this wasn’t the first time I had played hooky to see a Star Wars film. You see near the end of my senior year of high school my best friend Jeff and I hatched a plan to be the first people to see Return of the Jedi without having to brave the insane lines that were forming in Manhattan prior to the opening day. During that time the world had gone Star Wars crazy. People had been lining up nearly a week in advance of the premiere of Jedi to guarantee that they would be among the first to see the final episode of the original trilogy. However while Jeff and I were both hardcore Star Wars fans, we knew that neither one of our moms would let us miss that much school for a movie.

So Jeff and I came up with the brilliant plan to ditch only one day of school and Continue reading “Interviewed on WPIX!”

Episode 7: Time to play hooky

starwarsep7

The pictures above are of me standing on line for the 8am early morning showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There has not been a more eagerly awaited and anticipated film in years, and keep in mind that includes all of the recent Marvel/DC/Superhero films that have dominated the box office as of late. Nerds and geeks love Star Wars probably as much, if not more so than they love Star Trek and Doctor Who.

I was going to wait until next week so see the new Star Wars film because I expected it to be a mad house, but while I was heading into the office I walked past the theater. There was no line outside for the earlier showing. I then decided I couldn’t wait and took a chance that tickets were available. Luckily there were spots still unsold and I was able to purchase a ticket. So I texted a colleague and rescheduled my 10am meeting until later in the day and went in to enjoy the show.

While waiting on the line I was approached by Mario Diaz of WPIX Channel 11 news. Mario Diaz is best known his reporting on the NYPD “Stop and Frisk” policy, as well as being the reporter that Continue reading “Episode 7: Time to play hooky”

Batman vs Vader: SPB Alternate Ending

The team at Super Power Beat Down just posted the alternate ending to the epic Batman vs Darth Vader battle that premiered a few months back. The first version caused a fairly big stir on the internet due to the ending in which Batman literally gets murdered by Darth Vader. The outcome was decided by a fan vote, which of course set Batman and Star Wars fans at each others throats. In order to appease the outraged Bat Fans, which I count myself as a member, an alternate ending was shot.

In the alternate ending version Batman is victorious. However, I must Continue reading “Batman vs Vader: SPB Alternate Ending”

New York Cine Radio: Sony and the Star Wars trailer

Last night I schlepped over to Mama’s Place Studio in Astoria, Queens and guest hosted the weekly New York Cine Podcast. My co-hosts, Tom Seymour and Dave Leute, discussed the recent hacking at Sony Pictures, the new Star Wars and Terminator series trailers, and a whole bunch of other media and culture issues. I even introduced them to the Continue reading “New York Cine Radio: Sony and the Star Wars trailer”

Super Power Beat Down: Batman vs Darth Vader

I am probably the world’s biggest Batman fan so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I didn’t agree with the outcome of the most recent Super Power Beat Down fan film pitting the Dark Knight against the Dark Lord of the Sith.  However one of the things that really ticked me off was how good the production was for the film. I was visually stunning. It was probably the best fan-film I have seen since Batman: Deadend.

One of the problems that I had with the video is that Bats had plans to the Death Star and the location of a lightsaber, but didn’t come up with a contingency plan on how to disrupt Vader’s force abilities. Keep in mind that this is a man so paranoid that during the JLA: Tower of Babel (or Justice League: Doom movie) storyline Batman developed contingency for neutralizing his closest allies in the Justice League. In the Vader scenario, Continue reading “Super Power Beat Down: Batman vs Darth Vader”

Your Jedi Mind Tricks won’t work on me!

1525674_10202895389924440_917327010_n

I got the Obi Wan Kenobi lightsaber for Christmas to finish out my Ultimate FX saber collection. Hasbro makes a Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul. Qui-Gon Jinn, and a Obi Wan version. The problem is that I think my wife has stolen one of my sabers. I think she took it and sold it on eBay. I had two Darth Vader lightsabers and she is trying to tell me I only had one. I am a grown ass man. I know what I spend my money on!

I love Christmas!

1488289_10202869591599498_503054476_n

Ever since I was a little kid Christmas has been my favorite holiday by far. All of my family members have known this for years. I guess when all is said and done, I just love getting presents, and this Christmas I got some pretty cool stuff. The hat shown in the above picture is from the official Indiana Jones collector series. I also got the Obi Wan Kenobi lightsaber to finish out my Star Wars Ultimate FX saber collection. I already had the Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn models but I was missing Obi Wan’s saber. The Obi Wan model finishes out my Ultimate FX saber collection for now. I am still hoping that they make a Mace Windu saber.

As for the rest of my presents, my Continue reading “I love Christmas!”

He changed the conditions of the test!

Stra-Trek-Into-Darkness-Logo-Banner

Once again I was interviewed by the team over at New York Cine on topics related to technology and pop culture. This time out I was asked to specifically talk about the new film by director JJ Abrams, “Star Trek: Into Darkness”. I was not a fan of the first movie. I thought that Abrams essentially damaged the franchise by implementing huge changes in the source material. However I was willing to give his take on Star Trek a second chance.

The movie was visually Continue reading “He changed the conditions of the test!”

I need a stress reliever so…..

You gotta love torrents. I downloaded the latest episode of Doctor Who from the ‘net. The 4th season of the new Doctor Who series is currently airing on the BBC but it won’t be available in the US for awhile. However, I seriously needed a break after the LaGuardia ePortfolio conference, the kids, and my 25th high school reunion (I’ll talk about that later). Plus I just heard that my department is rumored to be undergoing a massive reorganization shortly. That type of change can always raise your stress levels. I’ll find out on Monday. Until then, I am gonna zone out for an hour or so and watch the good Doctor.

*Note to self….. I should really think about shooting a Doctor Who fan film after I finish “Dark Vengeance“*