Last known photograph.
Why don’t you leave us alone?
Silence is golden.
Thank you, El Paso
and Harold P. Warren for
Torgo’s haunting dirge.
Ordered crazy bread.
Baked right in a vacant lot.
They always do that.
“Certain Flaws in This Film”
Humor
“Way to go, Kenobi”: Star Wars Episode III: A Lost Hope
For 42 years, one unconventional and genre-busting film has defined the global moviemaking landscape and continues to entertain audiences around the world to this day. Of course, I’m referring to Robert Clouse’s horror classic The Pack. That is the movie you’re thinking of, right? Oh, you think I’m referring to some dumb little space movie? Well, that’s too bad because I want to talk about the killer dog movie starring the incomparable Joe Don Baker, dammit!
You don’t want to talk about this, do you?
Fine. We’ll discuss Star Wars for the umpteenth time but I want to discuss an area of Star Wars fandom that I’ve always enjoyed: fan films. One of my first posts was a showcase of my favorite Star Wars fan videos so, in honor of the upcoming “end” of the Skywalker Saga, let’s take a look at a fan video that was released in the same year as the previous “end” of the saga. 2005’s Star Wars Episode III: A Lost Hope is a parody of Revenge of the Sith that was directed and co-written by N.T. Bullock, the founder of the independent production company Sequential Pictures, and features Bullock’s Seth Green-esque portrayal of Anakin, Galactic Senators on loan from Sesame Street, a take on Mace Windu by Anthony Washington that feels more in line with Samuel L. Jackson’s usual intensity and an ingenious forgery placed in Obi-Wan’s Jedi sketchbook. The highlight of the short is Eric Kohn’s sardonic approach to Master Yoda.
Hope you enjoy it and…well, you know.
Credit: sequentialpictures, bboy41290, Minnesota Muskie, Star Wars
The Worst We Can Find (La-La-La)
To commemorate the Netflix revival of the groundbreaking comedy series and showcase of the world’s most famous horror hosts, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (*twang*), let’s take a look back at a 1996 segment that aired before WWF WrestleMania XII that was the wrestling promotion’s strange answer to the MST3K phenomenon, featuring the riffing stylings of Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler. Here’s the culmination of their goofy Billionaire Ted parody skits: the Huckster vs. the Nacho Man!
Credit: http://www.dailymotion.com/idimegra
A Cursory Antiquity of Temporal Lengths
Today is the 75th anniversary of the famed English physicist Stephen Hawking! Best known for his groundbreaking cosmology book, A Brief History of Time, as well as his numerous appearances in pop cultural institutions like Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Simpsons, perhaps the strangest homage to the scientist came in the form of A Brief History of Rhyme, a 2004 album produced by web developer and nerdcore hip hop artist Ken Lawrence under the alias of MC Hawking. Here’s a music video for my favorite track from the album, “What We Need More of is Science”.
Star Claus: A Yule Hope
Let’s celebrate the release of the latest Star Wars film, Rogue One, during this 2016 holiday season in the most synergistic way possible. Have a listen to the B-side of Bobby Helms’ hit single and modern Yuletide standard “Jingle Bell Rock”, a cosmic Christmas carol entitled “Captain Santa Claus (and His Reindeer Space Patrol)”.
Steam Factor One
50 years ago, a strange, unique science fiction adventure show kicked off its 3 season run on NBC with the tale of a simple country doctor falling in love with a shape-shifting salt vampire. Ever since these humble origins, the Star Trek franchise has been going strong, with various additions and re-imaginings of the mythos created by both fans and professionals alike. One of the most popular Star Trek fan films is a loving, well-crafted tribute to both Trek and silent films by the name of Steam Trek: The Moving Picture. Directed and co-written by British animator Dennis Sisterson, this hilarious 1994 film details a typical mission aboard the USS Isambard gone awry, thanks to the interference of derby-donning Klingons. With a suitably whimsical score, faithful imagery and inspired characterizations (especially the Harold Lloyd-esque Spock), this short remains one of the top examples of a standout fan production!
Hope you enjoy it and…well, you know.
P.O.’d PA
One of the things I love about the Star Wars fandom is the high level of creativity that they display when it comes to showing their love of the franchise. Case in point: the wealth and variety of fan films and shorts. From straight-forward, action packed lightsaber duels to clever parodies, the Star Wars universe has been a vital inspiration to many independent filmmakers.
Speaking of parodies, here is one of the first videos I’ve seen on one of the top Star Wars fansites, TheForce.net. Here’s the 2000 short, PA Wars, featuring Scott Hahn, Dennis Stay, Tadd Callies and a Taco Bell Yoda cup.
Hope you enjoy it!
How Sharper Than A Xenomorph’s Tooth
Today’s date marks two significant occasions! First is the baptism of the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare. If you need a quick primer on his 37 plays, let this music video from the Kids’ WB show, Histeria, bring you up to speed.
The second occasion is Alien Day, a celebration of the Alien film franchise! To commemorate it, check out this amazing 2003 fan film by Sandy Collora, Batman: Dead End, featuring a Xenomorph engaged in mortal combat with both the Caped Crusader and a Predator!
Hope you enjoy them!
Dave’s Not Here
Why am I posting a list of my top 5 favorite stoner comedies today, of all days? I don’t know. You tell me.
- Friday (1995)
- Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
- Up in Smoke (1978)
- Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
- The Big Lebowski (1998)
Check them out if you haven’t and if you’ve got your own top 5, feel free to share! Don’t forget to have a happy April 20th!
The Most Unkindest Cut of All
To the ancient Romans, March 15th, 44 BC was just another day but thanks to the death of a certain emperor and a fortune teller in a certain play, the date is said to associated with dangerous omens and misfortune. Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with it! From the short-lived Kids’ WB cartoon, Histeria, here’s “You Stabbed Me In the Back”, featuring the assassination of Caesar set to a swing number sung by the late Fred Travalena. Enjoy!
Fitzpatrix 