First, I have loads of personal updates and stories coming, so for those tired of the meviews–different content is on the way, I promise.

Second, this week marked the first half-day-Friday of this summer at my job, so from now until August, the entire staff at the university gets off at noon on Fridays, and it’s excellent.

Third, my B-day is on Monday…I am an old man.

Movie Moment of the week: The Bear Fight in Anchorman.

Quote-of-week. “I’m about to cancel your face” –Stalker, in G.I. Joe, Issue 2

REASONs-MY-WIFE-IS-AWESOME-OF-THE-WEEK: Last weekend, my wife learned how to play Settlers of Catan, the greatest board game since Chess, and she enjoys it–which is pretty much the most awesome thing ever.
Song of the Post: “Take Me Home” by Phil Collins, from the Album, HITS.

I don’t’ know much about the life and Times of Elizabeth, Queen of England; and frankly, I’m not that interested–at least not after the film Elizabeth. Beginning with the sickness of Queen Mary and going through Elizabeth’s decision to become the so-called “Virgin Queen”, Elizabeth is a tale of political intrigue that explores just how dangerous and unglamorous the rich life of royalty was in England during some period in history, i think during the fifteenth century.

It’s odd, really, to contextually look at the film at its base story, for it would appear to be a fairy tale. A young bastard princess ascends to the throne, defeating enemies both within and outside the nation, then becoming a great ruler–but this film is anything but a fairy tale; it’s more akin to a cautionary tale about power and one’s acceptance of it, for it does create around one a great deal of enemies, users, abusers, and “yes men”, making it quite difficult to trust or love. Betrayal, not happiness, is the reward of royal birth in this film, and it conveys this in odd and mildly engaging ways, which lead one to respect anyone surviving the life of royalty, considering the turmoil which accompanies such a station.

As interesting as that may sound, however, Elizabeth did not do it for me personally. I am sure that others–particularly women and history buffs–will find a great deal of the film interesting and intriguing, if not wholly engrossing from start to finish. I do not, and this is my meview, so I am giving the film a 3.

Blending DC Comics’ Clark Kent with Ensouled Vampire, Angel

Figure:
Angel Kent

Series:
Crossover Buffyverse

Recipe:
Angel Kent was a simple figure. I took the shirt and arms from a Pylean Angel and put it on a Season 5 Angel body, then cut the middle out of the shirt, so it would look open. I then painted the torso to look like a superman-esque Logo–only for Angel. I also used the hands from the Season 5 Angel and painted the cuffs on them to match the black of the demon’s shirt. Ta-da. Done and Done.

Accessories:
This Angel included a Custom “City Wall” base

Reasoning Behind The Effort:
This was a commissioned custom for my greatest customs patron, Mari Anne; and it was part of her full line of one-of-a-kind Buffy and Angel characters crossed with various characters from different universes including Marvel & DC comics, TV, Movies, and more.

Additional Thoughts
Angel Kent came out pretty good. Because of the figure’s limited articulation, the figure’s poseability is limited, and I’m not in love with the Logo–Mari Anne, however, seemed to really dig it, which makes me very happy. (FIGURE COMPLETED IN SUMMER 2007)

Ha ha ha ha! What can I say about Friday that begins to express my love it of it. Should I talk about the comedic stylings of a young Chris Tucker? Should I simply reference the insanely awesome street fight between Ice Cube and Tiny ‘Zeus’ Lister? Should I talk about Johnny Witherspoon’s hilarious antics in the kitchen and the bathroom? Maybe should I just mention the inclusion of a character known as “Big Worm”…or maybe I should discuss the power of tertiary characters like Redd and crakhead Ezell…

Friends, I don’t know where to begin. This movie, this wonderful ode to weed and the illegal smoking thereof, is easily–easily–one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s a hilarious comedic romp with lovable characters, fantastic dialogue, insane one-liners (”Stop being a B*tch and come on!”), and just an overall tone of relaxed, carefree fun that I have never seen replicated in another motion picture. I absolutely adore Friday.

The film’s premise is simple: an unemployed young man and his drug-dealing friend spend Friday on the front porch, smoking weed and having misadventures. That’s it. That’s all it is and all it needs to be. It’s perfect. I love this movie, and it is definitely one of my favorites of all time. !!!I GIVE FRIDAY AN UNABASHED 7!!!

Oh man, this may be not only one of the best episodes of “Celebrity Jeopardy” to hit SNL, it may be one of the greatest skits in SNL history. Norm McDonald as Burt Reynolds is sensational, and I actually respect Jimmy Fallon for his portrayal of French Stuart. Of course, this episode would not be the same if it were not for Daryl Hannah’s [CORRECTION: The actor who plays Connery is DARRELL HAMMOND. Thanks CHANDLER fro the heads up.] insanely awesome portrayal of the great Scot and acting legend, Sean Connery. Man, this is hilarious, so treat yourself.

[WARNING: This video does contain some humor, such as the phrase “ape tit” that some may find offensive]

First, this week, I mailed away for BONUS figures from Hasbro, my favorite Toy Company. I am due some cool new mail-aways, and I will do my best to put up pics for you upon their arrival.

Second, I am in Yosemite Nat’l park today, and it is delightful.

Third, The Hollywood Saloon has put up their extensive “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” podcast for the films of 2007. If you love movies and listening to podcasts, download their great overview of the last year’s releases, HERE.

Four, Our artwork for the Stunkpod is now up on Itunes. Go into Itunes and type STUNK, and our new artwork for the cast will be on the page! Please subscribe via iTunes, HERE, or simply subscribe to our RSS Feed Directly.

Fifth and most importantly, Special Thanks to Joe for helping me with the insane beast that is my RSS feed. Oh, and by helping, I mean doing everything since I am an idiot when it comes to the tech side of the site.

Movie Moment of the week: The Tank Sequence in Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade

Quote-of-week. “We’re soldiers…our job is to follow orders…to do the impossible–and make it look easy.” - Hawk, in Marvel’s G.I.Joe Comic.

REASONs-MY-WIFE-IS-AWESOME-OF-THE-WEEK: She has been sick with throat pains the last two weeks but is still fighting through her workdays with the diligence and zeal of an Amazonian Warrior Princess.

Song of the Post: “Will You Follow Me” by Rob Dougan, from the album, Furious Angels.

Friends and countrymen,

Have you ever played Desert Island, wherein you are asked to make a list of what pieces of entertainment you would take with you while stranded in a tropical paradise? It’s not as easy as you think, at least it wasn’t for us. Check it out as Dean and I discuss what 7 movies each of us would watch repeatedly until our inevitable rescue!

Plus, hear our thoughts on why chose how what we did as well as what movies came close but didn’t make the cut!

Download or listen to the podcast directly, HERE!!

Hello Friends around the globe! I found this fantastic episode of Fanatical that looks at G.I.Joe Fans; and I ecstatically share it all with you. Thanks to Hasbro’s recent 25th Anniversary line, I have been getting neck deep in Joes, and this documentary has made me feel connected to strangers who share my interests! Nerds Unite!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Okay, here’s the thing with A Man Apart. Great idea/central theme. Great acting from Diesel, the always-charismatic Timothy Olyphant, and several other main stars. Terrible execution everywhere else. Frankly, this is the type of movie that really gets me frustrated because when I read between the lines and see what is being attempted–though not accomplished–I really dig the flic; however, the fact that the movie fails to capitalize on the core idea driving it makes me crazy.

Here’s the deal. The movie is essentially about manipulation and how a good man’s obsessions can be used for evil. Of course, you’d never get that just watching the film at face value–at face value, you only get a C-rate cop movie with a relatively incoherent story, poor action sequences (less one fantastic shoot-out), and a few okay moments with Diesel or Olyphant.That’s it.

So, I gotta give A Man Apart a 3. That’s the best I can do. I really, really want to like it, but I don’t–cause it just doesn’t execute the fantastic ideas behind the story. Because I look between the lines, I like it better, but I shouldn’t have to do that…not in a movie like this. Frankly, the execution is just lame. lame and disappointing–but like I said before the actors do well, and there is one fantastic gunfight, so I think a 3 is a fair rating.

My sister put up a wonderful article at her blog, and I recommend giving it a read. It reminded me of my own love for creeks, nature, and small reptiles; and I am very thankful she wrote it.