New Oz Has Two Daddies: Walt and Sam

As soon as I saw the first preview for Oz the Great and Powerful, I knew I couldn’t miss it.  I nudged my daughter towards characters in the previews she’d like to engage her interest as well.  Embarrassingly between the initial discovery, and when it reached theaters, I completely forgot why I needed to see it. Luckily, the drive to catch it on the big screen remained.

Part way through the stylized opening credits, what made the latest version of this famous fantasyland a must see appeared on screen.

“Directed by Sam Raimi”

That was the big draw.  I needed to know how the sensibilities of the guy who brought us the most awesome movie ever: Evil Dead II, would infuse this renowned, recognizable realm with his style. Especially when Oz was already likely to be getting massive style infusions from Disney this time around.

Amazingly, while there were pieces that clearly bore the fingerprints of each of them creatively, somehow it all managed to fit together impressively.

A Carnivore’s Guide to Cardiology: Master of the Little Pan

I grew up in a household with an Italian mother from the Bronx. 

That meant she did ALL the cooking…

Seriously, whether you wanted her to or not.

There was a sole exception to this single mindedness:  eggs.

Mom never liked eggs, and even though she used them in countless recipes, and prepared many other things she didn’t like, Dad would handle egg making duty when he was available.  (Of course, she makes them whenever my daughter or neices want them...because space aliens replace the brains of people when they become Grandparents.)

Godfather "I Didn't Know That"s: Part III

After a brief trip through some early 90’s professional wrestling (There weren’t many intelligent thoughts to write out of that. It did inspire me to exercise more fiercely with the occasional yell of, “OOOH YEAHHH!” though.) I continued the commentaries folowing Part I and Part II.

Part III was tough. 

Belated Congratulations, Mr. Bond

I started following the other famous fifty year old British franchise known for changing lead actors regularly in a fairly unusual way.

I knew my grandfather always liked to watch James Bond on the ABC Sunday Night Movies, but apart from hearing the groovy theme as I brushed my teeth, all I knew was they were on past my bedtime.  I later learned my parents were into them too. This was unsurprising as they were well versed in the classics.

My true and proper introduction to the world of 007 was the Victory Games Role Playing Game. 

Godfather "I Didn't Know That"s: Part II

Click Here for Part I

Bad Geek Confessions: Career Choice Importance

Passing another quantum level of aging, I feel the need to come clean about something.

I have not been totally honest about the reasons for entering my chosen profession.

In fact I have lied about it frequently.

When I went for my college interviews, I spun a story designed to impress, highlighting how the January 28 1986 Challenger Shuttle disaster shook me emotionally, and steered my interests in the direction of Aeronautical Engineering.

While the tragedy did shake me, this was a bald faced lie. 

Though it isn’t the one I feel guilty about.

Godfather "I Didn't Know That"s: Part I

I watched The Godfather films with the director’s commentary while exercising.  Since almost everyone I mention DVD commentaries to says, “I’ve never listened to them,” I present these lists of entertaining stuff I didn't know as a public service. 

I’ve confirmed most of the list in other books and websites.  There may still be errors, but that serves as a lesson to listen to them yourself next time.  

Jaws Through a Kid's Eyes

One night, my Whovian wife and I planned to sample the Russell T Davies/David Tennant Casanova miniseries on Netflix. 

Due to the whimsical and ever changing nature of Netflix availability, we suddenly found the need to make another choice.