Superman Week: List O' Links for Friday, June 14th, 2013--Superman Edition!

If it's Friday, it must be List O' Links! Being Superman Week, let's keep the theme going with these super links!

Here is the new Man of Steel movie's official site.

A great source for all things Superman is The Superman Homepage, a long running fan site that has tons of great stuff, including articles, images, podcasts, and more!

Here's a fun site devoted specifically to collecting Superman toys and other artifacts.

If you're a devotee of the Christopher Reeve Superman films, Supermania is for you! It's a tribute site for the four Reeve movies with all kinds of interesting facts and images.

Acclaimed comic book writer Mark Waid is an expert on all things Superman. Can you match your Superman kung fu next to his? Give it a try with this tough trivia quiz!

I posted some fun Superman images earlier this week, but Comics Alliance posted some great ones earlier this spring. Take a look!

Superman has a great supporting cast, including his female teenage cousin Kara Zor-EL, aka Supergirl. She has her own fans, such as the author of the Supergirl Comic Box Commentary blog. Check it out!

Finally, it's important to note how Superman's early popularity and influence was created by the classic radio series. You can listen to the very first episode here.

I hope you enjoyed Superman Week. If you see the film, feel free to post a (spoiler-free) review in the comments section of this post. Have a "super" weekend!

Superman Week: Superman Images

The title says it all. Here, without comment, are fun, awesome, and beautiful images of the Man of Steel and his supporting cast for your ocular amusement. Enjoy!

Superman Week: Tuesday's Overlooked TV: Superman the Musical

Superman Week rolls on with Tuesday's Overlooked TV: The 1975 ABC-TV adaptation of the Broadway Musical It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman.

The musical was a flop on Broadway when it premiered in 1966, but nonetheless, ABC produced a version for television, starring David Wilson as the Man of Steel, Lesley Ann Warren as Lois Lane, and Loretta Switt and David Wayne in supporting roles. The TV version was quite different from the Broadway show that inspired it, featuring a more 70s sensibility (disco-like songs, etc.) and is much shorter than the stage version. The show is admittedly quite tacky, but I enjoy it as a cultural artifact that represents its time.

Fun fact: Warren later screen tested for the role of Lois Lane for the 1978 theatrical film.

The show aired only once--and in late night, no less--as an installment of ABC's Wide World of Entertainment, but is available on video and DVD via the comic con circuit.

Here is a trailer for the presentation. Thanks!

Superman Week: Monty Python, "Bicycle Repairman"

Hello everyone! In celebration and anticipation of the new Man of Steel movie coming to theaters this Friday, I've decided to spend a week in tribute to the granddaddy of modern-day superheroes. Let's get to it--"up, up, and away!"

I start the week off with this fun clip from Monty Python's Flying Circus. In a town where everyone is Superman, how do you stand out? By being Bicycle Repairman, noble fixer of all things bicycle. A hilarious clip I didn't know existed until a couple of months ago, despite being a Python fan. Enjoy!

List O' Links for Friday, June 7th, 2013

Hello there 99 percenters! It's time to chillax and relax with some fun linky-links!

If you're a fan of Star Wars, pulp novels, or both, you'll dig these pulp-style book covers!

I'm sure you knew this already, but if you didn't, here is indisputable proof that the Monkees were talented.

In other music tidbits, Billy Joel reveals to the New York Times he used to drink too much, but now only drinks a little bit, and other information.

I haven't seen Game of Thrones's Red Wedding episode yet (NO SPOILERS!!), but if the characters were around in the 1990s, they'd probably look like this.

Mermaids aren't real. That's it. Discussion over. So shut up!

Finally, an article on one of the most notorious comic books ever published--Avengers #200.

Have a great weekend!

The Origin of The Name of This Blog

I've been writing this blog for over 5 years now, and once in awhile, it dawns on me that many readers may not understand why this blog is called Me and You and a Blog Named Boo, especially if you're under 40 years of age.

I've been meaning to post a quick explanation for several years, but haven't gotten around to actually doing it. But, my fellow blogger and friend Todd Mason recently explained the meaning behind his blog's title, Sweet Freedom. Inspired by Todd's article, I've finally decided to explain my blog's title.

It's a play on the following cheesy pop song from the early 70s, "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo," by a man who called himself Lobo (not to be confused with this Lobo--or this one). When I first launched the blog, I wanted a title that was a cute play on words, but still noted the fact that this was a blog. I thought for a good two days before the current title hit me as I was laying in bed for the night, a true "Aha!" moment. And Me and You and a Blog Named Boo was born!

Here's the song in its entirety. It's not a good song to be sure, but I love 70s cheese for some reason. Enjoy, and thanks for reading all these years!

Tuesday's Overlooked Film: Streets of Fire

The first week of June also brings us the first Tuesday's Overlooked Film of the month, the 1984 movie Streets of Fire.

Streets of Fire, directed by Walter Hill, is a self-proclaimed "rock 'n' roll fable," starring 80s film mainstay Michael Pare as a soldier of fortune brought back to his hometown to rescue his former girlfriend, now a famous rock singer (Diane Lane), from the local punk gang, whose leader is played with malevolent glee by Willem Dafoe. Pare is aided by McCoy, a fellow former soldier (Amy Madigan), and Lane's current boyfriend and manager (a tough talking Rick Moranis).

The film is a stylistic treat, blending both late 50s and mid-80s aesthetics, a welcome combination for me, a fan of both eras. It's bombastic, but in a fun, tongue in cheek fashion. Sadly, the film's intentions were lost on audiences at the time, raking in a paltry $8.5 million dollars at the box office in June of 1984. It didn't help that it was up against such blockbusters as Star Trek III, Ghostbusters, and Gremlins. However, the home video and cable outlets gave the film second life, and it retains a cult following today. The film is also helped, in addition to its fine acting performances, by its interesting soundtrack, with songs by Jim Steinman plus the Dan Hartman pop hit "I Can Dream About You."

Here is the film's trailer. The film is readily available on DVD and online streaming from the usual outlets. Thanks!