ElfQuest Fan Film – “Take 2”

from ElfQuest:

Some of you may recall that a while back, there was a valiant attempt at an ElfQuest Fan Film that, for various unforeseen reasons, didn’t come to completion.

Now, the project has been resurrected — or rather, recreated anew. A wonderfully enthusiastic group of film folk based in Los Angeles recently approached us with the idea of making a “teaser trailer” for an imagined ElfQuest movie — and it took us all of half a second to say “yes!” This is very real, and it’s very close to happening on a fast track. All the details are here.

Disclaimer: This project is not affiliated with Warner Bros., which is currently considering a full-length ElfQuest film. It’s a fan film, done with love and solely in the hope that it will help spread elf-awareness further than ever.

So visit these folks’ site, and become a part. We’ll see you at the movies!

Shade and sweet involvement,
Richard Pini

J!NX: $7 off ALL Tees: Return of the Super-Colossal Sale!*

from J!NX:

The Super-Colossal Sale Has Returned!
Have you been waiting and saving to pick up that coveted J!NX Tee? Wait no longer! For the next 72 hours, all t-shirts will be $7 off! Run! Don’t walk (unless you’re carrying scissors or are near a swimming pool)! *Offer applies to all full-price t-shirts and cannot be combined with any other sale or discount. Expires 9/30/2010 @ 11:59pm PDT.

New Design Arcade Winner: Roleplaying Rorschach
Look at this design. What do you see? A lady with a flower? A cat in a top hat? What about a level 28 Tiefling Paladin battling a venom-spitting basilisk? Doctors and psychiatrists have argued over this mysterious ink-blot, but none of them can roll a charisma check high enough to convince the others. Thanks to graffd02 for seeing meaning in the madness!

Shout! Factory: Video Games as High Art

from Shout! Factory:

Have you ever found yourself humming a song, only to realize it was the theme from that video game you played until 4 a.m. that morning? Video Games Live is here to legitimize your love of 8-bit tuneage with fully orchestrated renditions of some of the greatest game themes ever written. We’re bringing this masterpiece, Video Games Live: Level 2, to Blu-ray, DVD and CD on October 19. It’s a full-on, global, multimedia concert spectacular and now available — like your game playing — in the comfort of your own home. The release includes never-before-released music and video from Mario, Zelda, Halo, Warcraft and many more, and is boosted with bonus content. Seeing is believing, though. Check out the trailer at VideoGamesLive.com and look at the tour dates while you’re there. It’s a not-to-be-missed event!

This ‘N’ That

If you’re on the East Coast, we hope you’re attending the New York Comic Con. It takes place October 8-10 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan. We’ll be there in spirit.

Time’s a-tickin’ on our Halloween contest. Enter today to win a prize pack featuring 11 of our scariest DVDs or Blu-rays.

Keep up with the latest Shout! news throughout your day by following us on Twitter and Facebook. Plus, visit our YouTube page for trailers, clips and music videos.

(Off-Screen) Alien Attack! New Flick “Monsters” Available Today

from GeekChicDaily:

The under-the-radar sci-fi flick Monsters should not be called Monsters. Mostly because it’s not even about monsters. It’s about aliens. So maybe it should be called Aliens. But then, there’s already a film called Aliens. Plus, you hardly ever even see the aliens.

So maybe it should be called Rarely Seen Aliens. Has Ridley Scott called dibs on that name yet?

Regardless of what you want to call it, Monsters is a unique sci-fi flick worth checking out. The basic premise: NASA came across some alien life in our solar system and attempted to bring it back to Earth. Their probe crashed in Mexico, and, next thing you know, the seven-layer burrito is no longer the deadliest thing to be found south of the border. Shot on the fly and on the cheap, Monsters doesn’t dwell on its giant, octopus-like rampaging aliens — partially because the production couldn’t afford to. Instead it takes a more personal route, following the relationship that develops when a photojournalist is tasked with transporting his boss’s daughter safely through the carnage. It’s sort of like someone shot an indie film on the edges of a James Cameron film. Peep the trailer at the official site.

Monsters was a hit at the South By Southwest Film Festival and will open in theaters in late October. But anyone hungry for an early peak of Monsters can watch the film at home starting today by ordering it On Demand or through Xbox Live or Playstation Marketplace. You won’t see many monsters, true. But you might see something equally rare: a good movie in October.

ThinkGeek boldly cuts pizza where no man has cut before

from ThinkGeek:

Greetings, furry-footed friends,

It’s Tolkien Week and we’re celebrating by running around the office barefoot and drinking ale in pints. PINTS! Today it’s Bilbo and Frodo’s birthdays and we’ve got a big cake with a spread of all sorts of mushroom-related dishes. (It’s often said a hobbit is a fungi. You are what you eat!) Then there will be dancing and singing and partying until the wee hours of the night.

Good thing we have monkey robots running the warehouse because otherwise, we might forget your order. *hic*

Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter
Space… the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new pizzas, to seek out new toppings and new cheeses, to boldy cut pizza where no man has cut before! Yes, this officially licensed Star Trek collectable is everything you hoped it would be. Laser etched stainless steel blade and solid metal construction make it perfect for battling Romulans in the neutral zone or precision pizza slicing.

Take $10 off $40+ orders — Bare feet optional
As the birthday boy Bilbo once said: “I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve…” If you grok, use code BILBO for $10 off a $40 or more order, good through 9/24 11:59PM ET. Even if you can’t wrap your head around that statement, the code will still work.

Find more What’s New items at ThinkGeek!

Shout! Factory to Release “Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XIX”

from Shout! Factory:

You are cordially invited to celebrate the launch of this year’s holiday season with the rambunctious crew from the Satellite of Love, as Joel, Mike and their robot pals Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot embark on a painfully joyful (and joyfully painful) voyage through the magnificent madness of the Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XIX limited-edition 4-DVD box set (featuring the highly collectible Gypsy figurine) from Shout! Factory, in association with Best Brains, Inc. on November 9, 2010.

This side-splitting collection of MST3K features the show’s never-before-released episodes Robot Monster, Bride of the Monster, Devil Doll and Devil Fish. Those entrees come with a side of extras, including a new introduction by J. Elvis Weinstein, cult filmmaker Larry Blamire’s full-fledged geek-out on Robot Monster, new featurettes on Bride of the Monster and Devil Doll, MST3K: Origins and Beyond from CONvergence 2009, original movie trailers, and four exclusive MST3K mini-posters by artist Steve Vance. There might even be an Easter Egg… we’re just sayin’. This limited-edition 4-DVD box set also includes a figurine of Gypsy, the perfect companion to the Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo figurines included in previous year-end Mystery Science Theater 3000 DVD box sets, all of which have become collector’s items. A must-have for loyal fans and collectors, Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XIX 4-DVD box set is priced to own at $69.97.

MST3K: Robot Monster
The sinister alien Ro-Man has decimated the Earth’s population, leaving only eight survivors, including a professor and the family of young space enthusiast Johnny. Its status as “one of the worst films ever made” easily makes Robot Monster an instant hit with the crew of the Satellite of Love! Join Joel, Servo and Crow as they explore their own fears of Ro-Man — errr… Ro-Tom — surrealism and, of course, the awful greatness (and the great awfulness) that is Robot Monster! Also includes the shorts Radar Men from the Moon: Chapters 4 & 5!
Bonus Features:
• Brand-new introduction by J. Elvis Weinstein
Larry Blamire Geeks Out
• Original Robot Monster trailer

MST3K: Bride of the Monster
Horror cinema icons Bela Lugosi and Tor Johnson star in this unforgettable Ed Wood classic as the crazed Dr. Vornoff and his beastly assistant Lobo, who conduct heinous experiments on human victims in an effort to create a race of atomic super-beings that will conquer the world. The film raises some intriguing questions: Do robots made of scrap parts aboard an orbiting satellite dream of electric sheep? Can Joel and the ’bots carry a tune? Who doesn’t love cold Tater Tots and olive loaf? These and other, equally imperative, questions will be answered — and more — in this “very special episode” of Mystery Science Theater 3000 that pays tribute to one of Ed Wood’s best bad movies ever! After all, no Ed Wood film would truly be complete without the biting yet loving riffs of your faithful Satellite of Love crew! Also includes the short Hired!, Part 1!
Bonus Features:
Citizen Wood: Making ‘The Bride,’ Unmaking ‘The Legend.’
Inventing the “Invention Exchange”
• Original Bride of the Monster trailer

MST3K: Devil Doll
Well… hello Dolly! Before a sold-out audience in London, “The Great Vorelli” performs with his ventriloquist dummy, Hugo. The doll walks on his own. It talks on his own. It even threatens the audience on his own. But is Hugo the real villain? Or could it be that his ventriloquist owner has lost his marbles? While Pearl and Brain Guy show the Romans how to have a good time at the Lesser God Day celebration, Mike, Crow and Servo invite you to their own open-window frat party! Party it up with the S.O.L. crew, complete with special guests, devil dolls and their own British pub!
Bonus Features:
The Puppet Master: Richard Gordon on Devil Doll
• Original Devil Doll trailer

MST3K: Devil Fish
When Dr. Stella Dickens concludes the recent string of grisly deaths and demolished boats can’t be the result of any known marine creature, she sets out to capture the beast, a genetically created bio-weapon that must be kept secret… at any cost. One thing’s for sure, however: The fish are biting! Beware the dolphins, after Mike and the crew of the Satellite of Love decide to mock their intelligence! Meanwhile, Pearl is forced to convince unexpected visitors that the castle’s actually a luxurious cruise liner! No one’s safe — least of all, Devil Fish — in this episode from Mystery Science Theater 3000’s ninth hysterical season!
Bonus Features:
MST3K: Origins and Beyond at CONvergence 2009
• Original Devil Fish trailer

The Mystery Science Theater 3000 series was created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Jim Mallon. After a year on KTMA TV in Minneapolis, its national broadcast life began in 1989 on the Comedy Channel (later to become Comedy Central), where it ran for seven seasons. The show’s final three seasons aired on the Sci-Fi Channel. The premise of the series features a hapless man who is trapped by mad scientists on a satellite in space and forced to watch old B-movies of questionable worth. To keep sane, he’s built two robot sidekicks, and together they do a running commentary on the films, affectionately mocking their flaws with inspired wisecracks and acting as a demented movie theater peanut gallery. Series creator Hodgson originally played the stranded man, Joel Robinson. When he left in 1993, series head writer Mike Nelson replaced him as the new B-movie victim Mike Nelson, and continued in the role for the rest of the show’s run. The format proved to be popular and remarkably durable. During its 11-year run and 198 episodes (including one feature film), MST3K attained a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. The series won a Peabody Award in 1993, and was nominated for writing Emmys in 1994 and 1995.

The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force (Vault Edition)

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The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force (Vault Edition)

Product Description:
The Jedi Path, Fully Illustrated, with Removable Features and a Mechanical Vault

With the push of a button, the doors of the vault open in a wash of light and Star Wars sound effects. The inner platform rises, revealing this exclusive edition of The Jedi Path.

This ancient training manual, crafted by early Jedi Masters, has educated and enlightened generations of Jedi. It explains the history and hierarchy of the Jedi Order, and what Jedi must know to take their place as defenders of the peace in the galaxy — from mastery of the Force to the nuances of lightsaber combat.

Passed down from Master to Padawan, the pages of this venerable text have been annotated by those who have held it, studied it, and lived its secrets. From Yoda and Luke Skywalker to Count Dooku and Darth Sidious, they have shaped the content of the book by leaving mementos tucked within the pages, tearing out pages, and adding their personal experiences as tangible reminders of the lessons they’ve learned.

Through wars and rebellion, only a single copy of this manual has survived. It is now passed on to you.

The ancient Masters who wrote the text: Fae Coven, Grand Master and head of the Jedi Council; Crix Sunburris, Jedi Ace starfighter pilot; Restelly Quist, Jedi Chief Librarian; Skarch Vaunk, Jedi Battlemaster and lightsaber expert; Bowspritz, Jedi Biologist and expert on the Living Force; Sabla-Mandibu, Jedi Seer and Holocron expert; Morrit Ch’gally, Jedi Recruiter; Gal-Stod Slagistrough, Jedi leader of the Agricultural Corps.

Jedi who added personal commentary: Yoda, Thame Cerulian, Count Dooku, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Sidious, and Luke Skywalker.

Removable features: A letter tracing the book’s history, a severed Padawan braid, a metal Jedi Credit medallion, a Jedi starfighter patch, a burned poster of the Jedi Code, a map of the Jedi Temple, a lightsaber diagram sketched on the back of a napkin from Dex’s Diner, and a note on the missing pages torn from the book by a Sith.

Created in collaboration with Lucasfilm — along with an acclaimed Star Wars author and revered Star Wars illustrators — this volume provides new insights into the history and lore of the Jedi Order while introducing never-before-seen ships, creatures, characters, and details about how one trains to become a Jedi.

Weta makes “Halo: Reach” Mongoose ATVs

from Weta:

Weta to make a pair of working Halo: Reach Mongoose ATVs
We’re very proud to have been asked by our friends at Microsoft to customise two 420cc ATVs to look and sound like the Mongoose ATV from Halo: Reach. And the exciting part is: they’re sweepstake prizes! Yes, you could own one. How awesome is that? Purchase MOUNTAIN DEW and DORITOS products for a chance to win. Read all about it at: honorthecode.com. Read about other projects that Weta has worked on in the Halo universe, like the Halo Warthog, the Halo 3 promotional short films, the Halo 3: ODST promotional event in Sydney and of course our range of Halo collectibles.

Celebrate the launch of Halo: Reach with us!
Our friends at Bungie and Microsoft have just revealed to the world the latest adventure in the Halo universe. To celebrate the event, we’d like to offer you a 10% discount on all the pieces in our range of Halo collectibles (excludes jewellery) until 30 September. Check out our Halo collectibles!

Q&A session with Weta Sculptor Daniel Cockersell
Daniel Cockersell, a Senior Sculptor at Weta Workshop will be answering questions from fans and collectors on the Weta message boards at The Shadow and Flame. Apart from sculpting for the movies we work on, Daniel has recently worked on some of our collectibles, such as Éowyn and the Nazgûl, Bag End and our Halo and Doctor Who ranges. Ask your questions here!

Follow Weta Online! Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Mimoco: Now you can choose Stormtrooper Unmasked Luke or Han! Plus a BONUS cap!

from Mimoco:

EXCLUSIVE! Star Wars MIMOBOT Series 5: Now Han and Luke Stormtrooper sport hair and helmet caps! Only at mimoco.com! For a limited time, not only can you choose Han or Luke disguised as Stormtroopers, but both rebels include the standard issue helmet cap, as well as a bonus hair cap. Now you can finally reenact both the trash compactor and the Death Star escape scenes! Learn more!

Video: Unmasking of Darth Vader! Darth would’ve LOVED to unmask Luke & Han, see how he got HIS mask! Watch Now!

NEW Stuff We Like!

Medicom Super Deformed Vinyl Boba Fett Repaint
A classic repaint of Medicom’s “super deformed” Boba Fett VCD vinyl figure limited to 250 pieces!
$100.00

Freeman’s Vader Project Auction Catalog
A 200-plus page, full-color, limited edition catalog that features all 100 helmets, artist bios and some history on the project.
$40.00

FREE Shipping on orders over $75*! Click here for more info.

News that Squishes: Platypus, Cthulhu and Owl

from Squishable:

Hello Folks!

If you were jumping up and down on your bed (past your bedtime and against your parents wishes, no less!), then you wouldn’t want that mattress to be stuffed with hard cement-like news! No! You’d want your gleeful disobedience in the form of bouncy, jumpy Squishy News! And here it is!

New Squishables — oh my gosh yes yes yes! You voted for them last year, and it’s taken them a while to make the long journey, but here’s the first round!

Squishable Owl — Who wouldn’t gladly sacrifice an occasional small squeaky mammal for something this cuddly? I know I would. Perfect for hours of “Hoo’s on first” puns.

Squishable Platypus — Yes they look ridiculous — but hey, think how you must look to them, you weird hairless biped! Cuddle an evolutionary cul-de-sac!

Squishable Cthulhu — A horrific elder god to snuggle with! Freakish monstrosities from the dawn of time give the best hugs. Incidentally, if you don’t know what a Cthulhu is then go read up on your Lovecraft. Right now!

Back-in-stock Squishables! These are totally back in stock and waiting with bated breath to discover their final destination! A playful office cubical? A bright bedspread? The stomach of your family dog? Don’t keep them in suspense! Hedgehog, Penguin, Octopus, and Snail Squishables are all back and good to go!

It’s been a charity kinda month!

First off, thanks to everyone who bid on the Squishable Dragon auction! Way to raise a chunk of cash for Child’s Play — some kids in hospitals who didn’t have toys… will now!

Second of all, thanks to everyone who sent in pictures over the last few months to help support GirlStart for empowering girls in math, science and tech! Techy, sciency girls are awesome, not that I’m biased or anything (says the CS major).

And for the next little while, for every image you send us of you and your Squishy, we’ll donate a dollar to Studio in a School to support art in public schools! How cool? Very! (Up to $250)

Oh, and… the Fuzzy Five are coming.

Thanks folks!

Zoe and Aaron
Squishable.com
Follow us on Twitter!
Fan us on Facebook!!

J!NX: We’re All Thumbs

from J!NX:

New Design Arcade Winner: Gamer’s Thumb
It’s an affliction that no gamer can avoid: Gamer’s Thumb. You’ve been button-mashing for who-knows-how-long, and your thumbs are now purple, deformed, and throbbing. It’s a good hurt, a deep burn, and it signifies that you have pwned until you are physically incapable of pwning — which is the only time you should stop, anyway. Game on and may your thumb-callouses grow strong and mighty! Grats to LindsayLB for a schweet design!

PAX Prime 2010 Recap… With Video!
Catch up on your PAX 2010 goodness in our post-PAX recap! Browse the pics from our photoshoot and Super Ultra Mega Party, have a look at the epic video and relish in the good times had at the J!NX booth. Read all about it nao!

Factory Entertainment: The Beatles Yellow Submarine Pre-Order, Universal Monsters Ring of Dracula, Golden Gun Video and more!

from Factory Entertainment:

This week we’re very excited to announce the pre-order date for the Beatles Yellow Submarine Studio Scale Model. Halloween is just around the corner and we believe the best way to celebrate this year would be by pre-ordering a prized possession from the “King” of vampires. Act fast, our stock is being drained rapidly! Also, our agents have obtained some key intel on a super villain’s “powerful weapon.” Check out the detailed video below. More surprises to come!

The Beatles Yellow Submarine Studio Scale Model
“Groovy! How do you start this thing?”
Factory Entertainment is proud to present its studio scale model of the Yellow Submarine. The culmination of detailed research into the submarine featured in the 1968 animated classic, this museum quality model is the most detailed and accurate 3-D representation of the Yellow Submarine ever produced. Details:

  • An impressive 20” (50cm) in length
  • High quality resin & ABS construction
  • Opening hatches (with detailed ‘infinity’ interiors)
  • Synchronized rotating propellers
  • Adjustable periscopes
  • Character portholes
  • Display stand & mirrored base
  • Numbered limited edition with plaque

Pre-Ordering Begins September 23rd, 2010 — 9 AM PST — $599
Edition size will be strictly limited to pre-orders received during the limited pre-order period. A deposit of $200 will be required to secure each pre-order.

The Ring of Dracula — Elite Edition Prop Replica
A high quality, officially licensed replica of The Ring of Dracula, bearing the Count’s crest. Cast from an original prop ring with exacting attention to detail, this stunning Elite Edition replica is crafted from sterling silver and inset with a genuine semi-precious Carnelian ‘blood’ stone. The mark of ‘THE’ vampire, The Ring of Dracula Elite Edition will be a valuable addition to any collection. Limited edition of just 600 pieces worldwide. Pre-order today to secure yours and avoid missing this opportunity.

James Bond 007 — Golden Gun Video
‘He has a powerful weapon…’ and now you can see it for yourself! Check out our detailed video which instructs the viewer how to assemble Scaramanga’s prized possession and highlights each separate component. After watching the video, be sure to take advantage of our, “Extra Bullets” limited time offer by purchasing a Signature or Limited Edition Golden Gun directly from our online store, factoryentstore.com.

The Beatles on Facebook
“Love” The Beatles? Are you a Facebook user? Well, you’re in luck! You can join their 7 million members strong Facebook group and get updates on all things Beatles. “All Together Now.”

Follow us on Twitter, we proudly add to the mostly inane babble but we also throw in more than the occasional gem!