Sweating in places I never thought possible....

I'm quite glad we've come to the end of one heck of a hot and humid week. I tell ya, I found that I had sweat glands in places that I never thought was humanly possible. Frell! Even my cornias were moist and sticky. But it's cooled down here and is at a comfortable temperature. So, I'm now free to blog on without passing out from heat exhaustion or dehydration.


Well, I guess the big geekafied news this week was that I saw the last big summer movie that I really was anticipating. As you know, I've seen X-Men:The Last Stand, Superman Returns and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. I found all three enjoyable to different extents with Pirates being at the fore front. Last Sunday, I got a chance to hook up with my two buddies, Spanky and Coreboy, and see the fourth movie I've been really looking forward to, Clerks II. Don't expect me to give away the whole story, but I will tell you if you truly appreciated the first Clerks movie that was released back in the early '90's, you'll find this one just as fun!

You will have to keep in mind that it is coming from a different place than the first movie was. Director/writer/actor Kevin "Silent Bob" Smith had made a very low budget, black and white independent film which was able to capture the day in the life of a couple of convenience store clerks. It wasn't the wacky shenanigans that took place throughout that day that made that movie a geek-lovin' classic. It was Smith's wonderfully written dialog that had us geeks in the palm of his hands. Especially the argumentative diatribe of how innocent lives were lost during the Battle of Endor in the Death Star II when many an innocent contractor/workman building the intergalactic monstrosity lost their lives when it blew up.

Even though Clerks II is in color, and isn't an independent film, takes place in a fast food restaurant instead of a convenience store and is not separated into chapters as Clerks was, this film still gives you the same geeky vibe as the last one did. Instead of an argument about the fate of the Death Star's inhabitants, there's a wonderful debate on which geek genre is superior, Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. The battle ends in vomit, and that is just one of the sight gags that may churn the stomachs of the squeamish.

I love when good comedy can push the envelope, and this puppy pushes it all over the place. Political correctness be damned! There's one scene where Jason Mewes, of Jay and Silent Bob, give a special homage (pronounced om-age) to the movie Silence of the Lambs that has to be seen to be believed.

Honestly, this was a real fun movie. It was great to see what the characters of Clerks (Dante, Randal, Jay and Silent Bob) were up to. The new cast members and characters were just as welcome. Especially cute as a button, Rosario Dawson. Though the movie had some edgy humor, it also had loads of heart. You care about what happens to the characters and the outcome in the end is where you want it to be.

In the end I have to say a most definite two thumbs up. Mr. Smith did himself proud once again. Who knows what's next in his Veiw Askew universe? I'm just hoping that this isn't the end! Clerks two is pretty much tied with Pirates as my favorite genre movie of the summer. It shall be summoned to my DVD collection once released!


Guess who's already yearning for Halloween? Yep. It's me. Though it's still, technically, three months away, I start celebrating and getting into the spirit (pun intended) in mid September. And in a month and a half we'll be there folks. Hopefully I'll be able to drag friends to a few more Haunted Attractions this season than the paltry one event I went to last year. Don't get me wrong, the event wasn't lack-luster in any way, it was the amount (1) that I went to that was disappointing. This year I may try and make up for that.


Here's something I forgot to Blog about from a while back. I was lucky enough to go down to my local art museum and see a traveling display on the history of comics. It was quite enjoyable. The subjects I got the most enjoyment out of was the wonderful pulp comics they had on display. Getting to see original prints from Jack "The King" Kirby, Will Eisner's The Spirit and Chester Gould's Dick Tracy were a real honor. Too bad I don't have the money to collect any more. Some of the more artsy-fartsy alternative comics were presented there where I wished they would have concentrated more with modern day artists as Todd McFarlane, Norm Breyfogle and other real comic artists that really know how to give the books more pizzaz rather than modern art crapolla.


I'm still working on that expansion to the Zangz's media empire. Watch for an announcement soon.


Here are a couple of Bond bits that came out of the entertainment media recently. First of all Pinewood Studios had a huge fire that ruined much of the 007 Sound Stage. It apparently ruined a set resembling Venice that was built for Casino Royale. Fortunately, they had finished filming there before it got all pyroed up.

Also, Eon studios have announced who will perform the title track to Casino Royale. Chris Cornell (formerly of Soundgarden, currently of Audioslave) will be lending his powerful voice to the main track. This is the first time that they have had the balls to employ a hard rocker to do the honor. The heaviest Bond title song previously was Paul McCartney and Wings doing Live and Let Die. This should be interesting. November 17th, folks. Hopefully there will be no curse for the producers after unfairly getting rid of Brosnan too prematurely. Cross your fingers.


That's all I have for tonight. Until next time, Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

Zangz.