Summer is here, and if you’re like me you like looking at women’s boobs… even if you’re married or whipped like you should be. Well now, you have to look no further than you local dvd store to see a great variety as the first Friday the 13th hexology is now released on deluxe edition DVD’s by Paramount.

Actually, I’m not so sure if the first one is out, here’s what they sent me; Friday 13th Part 2 and Part “3-D” on Blu-Ray, and then Parts 4-6 on deluxe DVD editions (The Final Chapter, A New Beginning and Jason Lives). There was no X-Man-like part 7, Jason takes Manhattan, the hell one (a.k.a. the “final friday”) or that god awful space one; but receivers can’t be choosers. I was shocked, SHOCKED that no one wanted to play a five day in a row drinking game with me and these babies, but whatevs, their loss.

I gotta say, I haven’t see a 3-D movie in a while and that was probably my favorite one as it comes with stylish custom-made Jason hockey mask glasses. Not only that, but the biggest douche-bag in this movie, Shelly, was on a NBC contest show in 2007 making the actor über douche man. Hahaha, I keed, I keed. The 4th, or the “Final Chapter” probably has the best cast with the likes of silver-screen legends as Corey Feldman and Crispin Glover.

The picture on all of these, as you can probably guess, is great. They even left some scratches and b-movie trademark goodness even though they are all remastered in HD now, but that doesn’t really mean much because of the horrendous way it was shot, but that’s what is good about these flicks and why you watch ‘em, am I right? Right?

Tell you the truth… I don’t even like these movies. In fact… I don’t even know why people like them besides the gore and breasts and…. eh, never mind, I remembered why I like these. Now, if you’re like me again, the only way to watch these and enjoy them is with buds (unless they’re being punk-bitches like mine) of all sexes (pending the women you’re hanging with are the ones you want to get sauced up for a make-out session during or afterwards, if not, what are good heterosexual-male friends for, if not that?). Coming out of my long weird parenthesis thing I did, you know the second thing you need is, of course, a plethora of alcoholic beverages.

Here’s some stand-by rules for any Friday the 13th drinking game that many go by (and some that only I, Pencilbot dare go by. Take the Pencilbot challenge): [DISCLAIMER: BIG SHINY ROBOT! AND Pencilbot CAN'T BE BLAMED FOR THINGS YOU DO.]

1 half-can chug per horny guy or chick that can’t get laid (to be fair, this moment usually only happens once per movie, but by all means, be creative!)

1 drink per “Crystal Lake” being shown or said. (sometimes you’ll just have to opt for “Lake” instead to get things going)

1 drink per beer drink or pot smoked (for an added bonus, do a sip for every cough or person who waves pot smoke away)

1 drink per scream heard (”Oh my God!” counts as 3 to 5 drinks depending on the loudness, discuss with friends before doing this one)

1 drink per pair of boobs seen (or each boob seen to get faced faster)

1 long drink per “chi chi chi chi, haw haw haw” heard (Jason’s war cry)

1 chug can or bottle per first death (this to me, gets everything off on the right foot, many people just do ‘a drink’… pfft! wussies!)

1 drink per death of non-main characters

1 long drink per death of main characters (they’ll usually be 20-somethings, just fyi)

1 chug every time Jason “dies”

1 drink per every time Jason isn’t really dead.

Now at this point, you should be able to be declared “legally dead”, but if you really want to go the extra mile, I throw in this one.

1 drink per person calling another person BY THEIR NAME. (this also works with ‘Jason’, this one will sometimes make you cry as you lift your drink impending, but it’s well worth the laughs. Especially when you assign names, but when you assign names, you have to chug a can when your person assigned gets macheted, it’s only fair.)

Enjoy and have a good time!

(Click the link to check out the Friday the 13th movies on Amazon.)

Wayne’s World; an iconic contemporary classic that borders on no plot, but is always in the hearts of people who have seen it based on its awesomosity.

Wayne’s World 2; in many ways is superior, but will never be as recognized as the original.

Released on Blu-Ray is the always stunning duo of mayhem and misadventures, Wayne Cambell and Garth Algar. If you haven’t seen these movies I don’t know what to tell you, except you’ve been missing out on a cornucopia of inside jokes and great moments in popcorn movie history.

Many people shy away from the second one, and honestly, I could kind of see why. The first one is and will always be what Wayne’s World is known for: Bohemian Rhapsody, Dream Weaver-view, psycho hose beast, “purchase feeble public access show, and exploit it. Woah, feel sorry for whoever that is. “, “both you and I know there is no film in this camera”, Scooby-Do ending. All good stuff.

However, have we all forgot what 2 is awesome for? Chop-Socky fight scene, cross the ‘t’s and dot the…. lower-case ‘j’s, I had to beat them to death with their own shoes, WayneStock, The Graduate spoof. Not only that, but the plethora of guest appearances: Christopher Walken, Chris Farley, James Hong, Rip Taylor, Steven Tyler, Harry Shearer, Heather Locklear, KimBasinger, Kevin Pollak, Drew Barrymore, Charlton Heston, Bob Odenkirk, Robert Smigel. I think there are more but I can’t I think of them right now, I need a drink. Where the hell is Dr. Cyborg when you need him?

Pencilbot recommends you get both, since they’re both kick-ass, then you can dazzle your friends with the obscure Wayne’s World 2 jokes. Digg it.

Great lines included:

“Why don’t you just go talk to her… talk to her… talk to her”

“Actually Pete, it’s pronounced ‘Mileuwalkay’, which is Algonquin for… ‘The Good Land’”

“Why do they come to me to die? Why do they come to me to die?”

“Gordon Street? Ah, yes, Gordon Street. I once knew a girl who lived on Gordon Street. Long time ago, when I was a young man. Not a day passes I don’t think her and the promise that I made which I will always keep. That one perfect day on Gordon Street.”

BY GRABTHAR’S HAMMER!!! A free copy of Galaxy Quest?!?! The most perfect movie ever made?!?!

By the sons of Worvan, yes, you read correctly. I am horribly drunk, but you read correct-a-mundo.

Here’s how to enter to win:
1) Make a pictogram, photo essay, picto essay or comic strip regarding anything about Galaxy Quest; why it’s cool, a tribute to a certain character, a rundown of an episode you made up, etc. It could be with stick figures or drawn on computer. Here’s my bad example made more horrible by Swanks terrible scanning job (that’s me passing the buck) :

2) Either post it in the comments section or email your entry to Pencilbot4prez(at)gmail(dot)com . BE SURE to include your address and contact info. YO.

3) All entries are accepted from today, May 29 2009 to June 17 2009

David Mamet is not wrong when he says this movie is ‘perfect’ when looking at its dramatic structure. Not only that, I’d argue that it is just a perfect film period.

Many may disagree, and this is why they are fools. Not because they disagree with me (though that is just as bad), no, it is because this film oozes tenderness, nostalgia, and a true heroes journey. If only they could get past some hang ups, they would see that it is sheer brilliance put on film. At a glance, when it came out, I thought it looks on par with all those ‘Scary Movie’ flicks, and a National Lampoon style spoof.

If you’ve been one of those who have been under the misconception that this is a terrible movie (I admit, I was once one of them), I assure you it is not. It takes place in the afterglow of out of work actors that have their fame from a Star Trek-like show, they’re hired to go to conventions and grand openings of department stores. At a convention a group of real aliens try to ask for their help as they have seen these old tv shows and see them as ‘Historical Documents’, they believe it’s reality tv.

Not only does it poke fun at classic Trek, but it also treats it as an endearing piece for everyday fans. I still get chills and a knot in my cold metal heart when Alan Rickman says in all sincerity “By Grabthar’s hammer, by the suns of Warvan, you shall be avenged.” and Rickman finally accepts how much a ridiculous fictional character can mean something so profound to another.

This DVD is packed with awesomeness; 2 documentaries about its creation, some great deleted scenes that add to the movie, creating the alien race and a Thermian audio track. But by far the best special feature is Sigorney Weaver rapping, where Sigorney, Sam Rockwell and Daryl Mitchell shooting rhymes with other cast members throwing down alien signs in the background…. obviously they had fun on the set making this movie as the movie itself.

Pencilbot is proud to say we are running a contest here on BSR! for one person to get a free copy of Galaxy Quest Deluxe Edition FOR FREE!!! Look here tomorrow for all the details. Show some love.

“There’s a red moon risin’ on the Cuyahoga River.”

The only time I’ve loved and memorized a Randy Newman song. Arguably, the best baseball movie in known existence in all universes and nearest dimensions, Major League is out on Blu-Ray to be watched repeatedly in all its comedic glory. This movie is where I learned colorful obscenities that would plague my vocabulary from 9 years old to now. I still throw out some of the insults in this movie, not only that but it taught me to be creative with my dissing; I was very popular in elementary school.

Some may be under some horrible illusion that because this film is based around baseball it must be as boring as watching a game on tv, those pitiful poor souls. Some may ask “But P-Bot, wtf does Major League have anything to do with geek and nerd type things?”, the answer is simple; not a goddamned thing, however, it’s a great comedy. That, and it showed up at the BSR offices the other day.

Special features on the disc are fairly good too, you got a couple of retrospectives by the creators and cast, one about Bob Uecker. It’s got commentary, an alternative ending that lives up to the name and a tour of Cerranos locker. The movie sports some early work of Wesley Snipes (Passenger 54, White Men Can’t Jump) and Dennis Haybert (the true first black President on 24, Allstate Commercials) as well as known actors like Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger (Platoon) working nicely together this time ’round.

One could say this movie is… pitch perfect and a definite home run. It’ll have you saying “I look like a banker in this.” Pencilbot recommends to the highest extent of recommendations.

In all it’s dated glory, X-Men animated is finally out on DVD… at least the first 33 episodes are out for now (which is half the series). As I have mentioned earlier in another article I think these are almost the pinnacle of adaptations for the comic plot lines. This series is what made everything after it possible, it is the cause for the resurgence of comic book adaptations that prolifically followed; Bryan Singer’s X-Men, Raimi’s SpiderMan, The Punisher, Iron Man, Fantastic Four: Worlds Greatest Heroes, etc.

This was during the time when hero spandex was sheik and everybody loved Liefeld in all his small footed, squinty eyed, multi pocketed glory. A lot of peeps give this toon guff, failing to see how it was a quintessential step that made comics to the heights to where it currently stands… fortunately and unfortunately.

I could go on and on about how faithful this cartoon was to the comic while trying to make it entertaining for kiddies as well. A feat that is no simple task, they used character; an angry and violently jealous Wolverine, a flirty Remy, a Rogue that is closed off emotionally and physically, and an X-Man who dies in the first episode (or so it seems).

Is it cheesy? Of course it is, I defy anyone to present me any artifact from the 90’s that isn’t. Like I say, it’s dated but it’s a gateway substance to a much larger world and it uses contrasts ranging from over-the-top, to very subtle. It shows the process of radical discrimination and delves into the post-apocalyptic future if the X-Men fail to dissolve the segregation of mutant people (Days of Future Past). Not only that, but dealing with other dilemmas such as causing a future detriment when you actually save the world today (Time Fugitives).

These DVD’s are a staple for any fan of the X, the episodes start from Night of the Sentinels in Vol. 1, and leave off on the Phoenix Saga in Vol. 2. I for one can’t wait ’till Vol. 3 comes out with the Dark Phoenix Saga, one of my favs. Buy these up and rejoice in singing along with the theme song again, you know you used to.

These DVD’s have no extras; Pencilbot thinks it would have been nice to see the Japanese anime style intros and the 1989 pilot Pryde of X-Men in there somewhere, but nay.

Classic lines included:
“Illyana!” – Colossus
“I go where I wanna go” – Wolvie
“AARRREAEEAAAAHH” – Professor X
“I have seen many things in this world, that is why I must destroy it.” – Apocalypse after having a bad day

To buy X-men Volume 1 and 2 on DVD from Amazon, click the link.

I just got back from an experience what can only be called the criterion of not only X-Pictures and superhero movies, but rivals timeless classics the likes of Seventh Seal by Ingmar Bergman, The Godfather, One Flew over the Cukoo’s Nest, Citizen Kane and of course, Casablanca. It’s perplexing to imagine where Gavin Hood can go from this, the pinnacle of his career. America agrees with me; $87 million over the weekend at the box offices downloading and naysaying bitches!!

I don’t understand what everyone has against this movie when it was leaked, it was far superior to X3 and Spider-Man 3, by proxy monumentally better than the other X movies. Don’t listen to the other robo-weenies on this site that didn’t like it either, they just don’t like 20th Century Fox and are trying to push their communist propaganda. The story, down at its core, is a love story; a love that spans time, a love that knows no boundaries, that knows no limits… except for one, SAB-ER-TOOTH!! I know what you’re thinking but seriously, the way it’s executed is flawless. I don’t want to spoil this piece of… work, but let’s just say it has to do with a little ’sibling rivalry’. I’m going to go into spoilers in a moment, but you have to understand, any spoilers you read about it don’t mean anything because it’s the way in which it’s done that is amazing.

Ryan Reynolds was incredible as Deadpool, not only that but they added whole new dimensions to the character I would have never thought possible. Deadpool is a regular chatty-cathy in the comics that has brought out some of the best comedic lines during fighting ever produced in the literary form, but in this movie they TAKE AWAY HIS ABILITY TO TALK!! WOAH!! Bet you didn’t see that one coming!!!
Whoever wrote this script clearly has no fear in tackling such a character who is so dialogue rich and subverting his main line of appeal. The creators do this by adding a whole lot more; teleportation, Baraka swords coming out of his wrists and, my favorite, the ability to shoot laser beams from his eyes!!! WHAT!?!?! Yeah, dude, that’s how good it gets. Why he is fighting with Wolverine one would think there is no dramatic purpose… or so it may seem, however, if you pay attention, you can tell that the writer and director added layers of subtext where Deadpool and Wolverine were actually secret lovers. Yes, that’s right. Watch it again with that in mind and feel the revelation come over you. It’s true what people are saying, Dosdoyevsky this movie is not, I would liken it more to a Shakespearean drama.

See everybody thinks this is some mindless action movie, just to rape people out of money by using a highly profitable franchise and character without caring about story or characters therein; these people are wrong. They fail to see all these hidden layers; Victor and Logan being molested by their ‘father’ before running away and starting a new life together (when really it wasn’t their father after all), the sisterly love and “bond” between SilverFox and Emma Frost, the Blob can still get his feelings hurt no matter how many layers of fat between the outside world and his inner heart. My only guess is that people don’t like the non-Hollywood ending; because of the surprising twist, lazy viewers get upset when Logan and SilverFox don’t walk off into the sunset just when you think they are. The moment she says “I’m so cold.”, I tried to hold back those flood gates, but I could not.

Pencilbot can’t wait until they make the sequel where Logan is a low-priced geisha, I hear they’re starting to talk about it. It will be hard to top this one, but if the same creative team is on the prowl, they’re sure to do some berserker damage.

I don’t know how many out there are hardcore nerds for U.K. tv; I consider myself one of the few.  When Spaced, League of Gentlemen and Black Books (shame on you if you don’t know these) finally came out on DVD in the states my medulla oblongata exploded. My friends were bored to tears by the time they saw them, but afterwards, they had joined my U.K.TV cult with exploded heads.

Quick glossary for U.K.TV term (for those who don’t know):

Series = Season (Ex. “I thoroughly enjoyed the second series of Coupling” in U.K. is the equivalent to “The second season kicked ass!” in American.

Cracker (Starring Robbie Coltrane of the Harry Potter series fame) has some interesting early work of some of my favorite folks; Michael Winterbottom (director of 24 Hour Party People), Christopher Eccleston (bad guy in Gone in 60 Seconds and the Invisible dude in Heroes), Robert Carlyle (Daddy zombie in 28 Weeks Later, Begbie in Trainspotting), Kieran O’Brien (main dude in 9 Songs… ’nuff said).

Though I’ve heard this series kicks much ass, but I had yet to check it when it came out in it’s single series form, what I had heard is that it was along the same vein as Prime Suspect (which is how I fell in love with Helen Mirren). So when the whole collection came into the BSR! offices to review, I was “fairly excited” or “shat my pants with excitement” in American terms.

At first, I wasn’t too impressed and that was due to the fact that I tried to start off at the newest of the series, I was confused. It was clear that I started off on the wrong robot foot, so I began again this time where I was supposed to; the first episode.

When I started watching, I was skeptical on how exactly they would make Coltrane a badass that I would want to keep watching, how they did this was brilliant; Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald is a boozing, chain-smoking, gambler with a rapier wit. He spends his days lecturing in a local college teaching phycology and occasionally gets asked to help with investigative polices cases because he’s good at what he does. The series is a mixture of primarily whydunit’s with a little bit of whodunit’s, that coupled with the immaculate dialogue throughout the series is its charm, add to that the flaws of a person with a “normal life” that seem to be in constant shambles and you have a great start for something original.

All that is the primary source of what keeps this program intrinsically interesting but there are so many shocking moments and as the characters and series develops into itself, you can see how every other crime drama on tv fails and this one succeeds miles ahead of the game no matter how dated it seems when you first start watching it. CSI: [insert a city here] can eat its overstayed-welcomed heart out, though this collection is a hefty 21 hours and some change, you really wish it could have been more but you’re thankful as hell that they ended this beauty on a high note. Each episode just permeates with sheer excellence in writing and direction that puts Hollywood to shame, barring a few American gems.

Sure, there are a couple episodes that I thought were garbage; one was starring Samantha Morton (the female pre-cog in Minority Report, Hattie in Sweet and Lowdown) were she is basically abducted by a religious cult and they try to kill her. On the upside of this one though is that you get to see her half-neked with some cool designs drawn on her body (designs that help Fitz crack the case). And if you don’t like intelligent drama then this may not be up your alley per se, but I think it has enough humor to bring along even the toughest of critics, like this line for example when describing the thrill of gambling: “How long has it been since your hands were trembling, your heart was pounding and your balls turned to ice?”

Pencilbot recommends you snuggle up with your main squeeze or settle into the deep impression of your favorite chair, “crack” open a cold one and start watching.

And thus, thee countdown to Wolverine Origins continues. Yay. You as excited as I am? Thought so.

If you’re like me (chances are fairly good at present that you are), you’ve become quite nauseous at the sight and/or mentioning of the Ultimate Universe and events transpiring within it. Praying to any and all religious deities (God, Allah, Shiva, Mark Millar, etc.) to make it better soon, hoping the current midwives remember that it’s different than the 616 Universe, but to treat it with care… This is what at least I think when Ultimate [insert name of villain/hero/team], nowadays.

It’s almost like the X3 of comic book events and plot lines (aka, huge disappointment), so it makes sense when Clank! told me to check out Ultimate Wolvie vs Hulkiepie, to think it would be no different. To me, the title just screams that it was done purely for sales and not for any story purpose besides the nostalgia factor of Wolverines first appearance in Hulk #180 (again, 616 territory). So it’s safe to say I was pretty bias against it when I cracked the polymer bag open to the first issue. As I said in a previous post, I am not a fan of Wolverine; so, could you imagine my delight when I see Wolverine get ripped in half in the first couple of pages!?!? Yeah! It was like my first time going to an amusement park!!

The rest of the books aren’t that bad either! Besides some unmotivated strokes by Wolverine wanting to kill Hulk for fun and Hulk being waited on hands ‘n’ knees by unusually gorgeous Tibetan babes… I’d say it kept me interested, not only that, I’d say it was pretty good! And it had a great twist at the end of issue 4 that defines unexpected, and fellow bots, when I get caught off-guard by a movement in a comic, film or novel… it makes me remember what it’s all about. I don’t want to spoil it for you in case you haven’t read it yet, but lets just say it has to do with an illegal bootleg copy of a certain movie yet to hit theaters, selling Hulk serum to Chinese and Dr. Jennifer Walters (She-Hulk in the 616 Universe, and Bruce Banners cousin).

Pencilbot recommends you at least read the first 4 issues of this 6 part mini-series, the last 2 have yet to come out. You can trust me about this recommend, I usually don’t give these mini’s the time of day. Enjoy.

Do you like Wolverine?!?!!!!

I don’t…. Other than a couple cases in the movies, getting his ass beat by Deadpool, some classic Claremont moments and the 90’s cartoon, I don’t usually identify with the adamantium laced character. He’s like the walking cliché to me, ‘A man with a mysterious past who blazed in on his hog from the darkness’ or as Pee-Wee Herman put it best: “I’m a loner Dottie, a rebel!”  Whether or not you’re a fan of good ‘ol fisticuffs, Wolverine: Prodigal Son is a fairly good read.  Granted, it’s not a masterpiece that you’ll want to reread over and over again, it’s not supposed to be (and quite honestly there are very few mangas that accomplish that feat; Ranma 1/2, I’’s, and of course the brilliant Avril Levigne’s Make 5 Wishes).

It’s not a retelling either, it’s more of a revamp. It starts off fairly sluggish; basically, Logan is this arrogant, cocky, fight hungry student at a Canadian karate school the likes we have never seen called “Quiet Earth”. Logan is Mr. Bad-Ass of the school as usual and beats the crap out of everyone… except for Tamara, the hot, quick daughter of sensei. The book picks up the pace around chapter 4, when young Logan and Tamara have to team up and haphazardly accomplish a trial of tests, afterwards then gets sent to New York that sets off a chain of events that are pretty engrossing and the character and story development starts to evolve. The artwork is not Wilson Tortosa’s best in this one either, but his worst is better than most manga that people cream themselves about. I sometimes found some panel choice confusing to follow in action and fighting scenes. The best part about this book was the sensei who was a bad ass with the ‘wise elder’ style. The thing about this one is that anyone can jump on board; fan-boys, non-fans, avid readers, and with new enemies such as a sultry Lady Silence who seem will kick ass later down the road (and a wet-dream for the younger readers of this paperback), it could be for good reason… not to mention this little teaser:

Pencilbot welcomes any other bot to share their opinion of this book baring in mind your affection to the icon. Wolverine: Prodigal Son came out not too long ago and is available everywhere.