Tuesday's Overlooked Film: Super

Hello all! I hope you had a relaxing and reflectful Memorial Day weekend. It's back to the grind today with a look at my latest Tuesday's Overlooked Film, the 2010 comedy Super.

Super stars Rainn Wilson as Frank Darbo, a schlubby diner cook who is inspired to become a homemade superhero to rescue his recovering addict wife (Liv Tyler) from the clutches of a weasley drug dealer (Kevin Bacon). Lacking in both powers and fighting skills, Darbo nevertheless gives it his all in his new identity of the Crimson Bolt, armed only with a heavy pipe wrench to fight crime. Darbo also befriends a young comic book store clerk (Ellen Page) who eagerly volunteers to be the Crimson Bolt's sidekick Boltie (against Darbo's wishes). After several missteps fighting petty criminals, the dynamic duo face off with Bacon's character to bring Darbo's wife home in the movie's climax.

Super is very much in the vein of the two Kick-Ass films, the first of which was released the same year as Super, so your enjoyment of Super may depend upon your opinion of Kick-Ass. I found Super to be a fun movie; outrageous at times, shocking in a couple of moments, but funny and enjoyable throughout. Be on the lookout for Nathan Fillion as "The Holy Avenger" and director James Gunn (who directed this as well as the blockbuster Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy) in a small role as a "demon" in a Christian superhero movie within a movie.

Below is the film's trailer. Thanks!

Random Images of Awesomeness Part 3

It's been a really long time since I've done a Random Images of Awesomeness post (over two years in fact), and since I've amassed quite a collection of rad images since then, it's high time I displayed some accordingly. Without further comment, here are some pleasing images for the eyes. Artist credits are given when known. Enjoy!

Jaws by Scott Lava

Masters of the Universe by JP Valderrama

Wonder Woman by Kris Anka

For more cool images, follow my Tumblr site here. Thanks!

April's Underappreciated Music: Being Cheeky

In looking over the amount of posts for my blog the past few months, I noticed I've fallen behind. Pardon me for bringing up the rear, but to make up for lost time, I dive into April's Underappreciated Music with a theme sure to have you shaking your rump. Enjoy!

List O' Links for Friday, April 24th, 2015

Why is it so chilly this late in April? I guess it's best to stay inside where it's warm and catch up on these great Internet links!

Did you enjoy Marvel's Daredevil TV series on Netflix this month? I certainly did. Here is a list of all the great Marvel Easter eggs to be found in the series as well as hints of what's to come in the future for the Netflix corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Be careful: spoilers abound!

In another direction, DC Comics announced a new line of multimedia products for girls aged 6 to 12 years spotlighting some of the great female characters of the DC universe. As the father of a young girl who loves superheroes, I couldn't be happier about this!

Speaking of DC, the first official Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer was released this month. Here's a fan's take on the trailer featuring the incarnations of the characters as played by Adam West and Christopher Reeve. Well done!

It's very possible Yoda is a biblical figure. You just go ahead and check that out right now.

Nearly everyone loves the Beatles, but drummer Ringo Starr doesn't get the respect he deserves--until now. I love Ringo and think he's an outstanding drummer. Go Ringo!

Finally, you can learn a lot about being a man by following the example of Thor. No, not that Thor, the original Norse mythology Thor. Odin's beard!

Have a great weekend!

The Incredible Hulk TV Series Outtakes

I've always loved the Incredible Hulk TV series, but one thing I've never seen before are bloopers and outtakes--until recently. And not only are they amusing, they're surprisingly profane, at least considering the source--the star himself, Bill Bixby. Bixby has always seemed reserved and button-down in interviews, but this reel shows a completely different side.

Enjoy!

VHS Treasures at the Goodwill 2

Dude. DUDE! Duuuuuuude.

I paid my local Goodwill store a visit last week, and I walked away with what I consider to be a sweet haul of VHS cassette goodness. I previously wrote about other cool finds from Goodwill, and I think this batch equals or even exceeds that haul.

The first of the tapes I'll mention is the 1990 comedy My Blue Heaven, starring Steve Martin and Rick Moranis. I've loved this movie since I first saw it, and I always thought it deserved a lot more attention than it's received.

Next up, The Great Muppet Caper, the second ever Muppet movie. As much as I've loved the Muppets all my life, I don't think I've ever seen this one in its entirety--now's my chance.

Next, the Alan Arkin comedy The Return of Captain Invincible. I picked this up only because I've seen the movie's poster a number of times (I think it used to hang in the old video store my parents' patronized) and I've been curious as to what it's like.

I'm proud--proud!--to now say I own the one, the only, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Chances are you are already familiar with this cinematic classic, but the edition I purchased happens to be the director's cut including long lost footage! Which may actually be bunk, as the text on the box contains several gags and jokes, so I guess I'll just have to watch and see what's different.

Side note: as a young child, I was deathly afraid of the opening credit sequence and song, but that's a story for another day.

Finally, I bring you the cream of the crop, the two cassettes I covet the most from this batch of goodies--Transformers: The Movie and GI Joe: The Movie! Not the 21st century live action films, the original animated films from the 80s! I have never, ever seen them, and I've wanted to see the Transformers move since it first came out, so finding this on VHS is like finding the Holy Grail!

 

The best part about buying these films--the entire haul costs me only a dollar. Not a dollar each, all six for a total of one dollar! That, my friends, is how you bargain shop.

See you later. I have a lot of viewing to do. Please let me know your opinion of these movies in the comments. Thanks!

List O' Links for Friday, February 20th, 2015

If it's Friday, it must be List O' Links time! And boy do I have a fine selection for you this week!

This article presents some amazing outer space artwork from French comics published in the 1970s. Beautiful stuff, and something I want to see more of!

You guys! Star Blazers action figures from Japan!

Speaking of toys from Japan, here are oodles and oodles of Japanese TV commercials for the original Transformers toys. This was long before they came to America; they weren't even called Transformers at the time!

One of my most well-received articles for the blog is the one I wrote on Jaws movie posters, and how iconic the original poster is in pop culture. I've since been sorry to learn that the original painting by artist Roger Kastel used for the first paperback edition of the novel and movie poster has been missing for many years! For shame!

For ages I tried to find information on a kids show that aired on PBS briefly in the 80s that was a blatant rip-off of Nickelodeon's You Can't Do That On Television, but couldn't find anything--until now! Read all you ever wanted to know about the YCDTOT clone Don't Look Now!

Finally, to end on a positive note, enjoy these lovely superhero-themed inspirational messages courtesy of Imgur.

Have a great weekend!