PHOTO BLOG: If Collecting Nintendo Amiibo is Wrong, Guess Who’s Wrong!?
While I’m at it consolidating all of my various nerd interests and habits from the last Lord knows however many years onto this website; it’s time to introduce yet another hobby of mine and drag it under the umbrella of the Dorkside. This is actually a combination of a couple of things I enjoy: one is collecting select figures from the toys to life Nintendo Amiibo line and the other is taking pictures of them out in the wild or sometimes against a fancy backdrop.
I know, I know, it doesn’t get much cooler than this…
PODCAST: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) “You Were Meant to be a Nerd.” BACKUP: Super Mario!
Rob and Ray take a third spin around the MCU galaxy with James Gunn’s final installment of the Guardians trilogy! AND we also yap a bit about that other big Chris Pratt release of 2023, the Super Mario Bros. Movie. Woo-Hoo! Much nerdiness awaits.
FRIDAY NIGHT FRIGHTS: HOUSE II: THE SECOND STORY (1987) “Nerds, We Can Do Whatever We Want: Run Around in Our Underwear, Watch HOUSE II.”
It’s an unusually overcast and brisk day here in the bay area, so by my guess and if the several Halloween decorations that have managed to strategically place themselves around the house are any indication: We have officially entered the spooky season! My plan this year is to post something horror related every Friday leading up to that greatest holiday of holidays. This doesn’t mean that other creepy content won’t be posted on other days over the next 2 months, just that each Friday until October 31st, you can count on some kind of trick or treat to read, watch or even listen to! Beginning right now with yep, House II: The Second Story.
Let’s dig in.
PODCAST: Super Mario Wonder Direct Showcase Reactions!
New power ups, challenge modes, playable characters, online features and a fresh coat of red paint on the OLED Switch model! Join the Dorkside as we welcome Super Nintendad to help break down today’s Nintendo Direct showcase for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The first 2D sidescrolling installment in the iconic franchise since the last one!
PODCAST: Bill and Ted Trilogy “Strange Things are Afoot in the Dorkside.”
Join Rob and Ray as our nerd heroes have an excellent adventure through time and bogus journey in the afterlife before finally facing the music with what is now the Bill and Ted trilogy! WARNING: Spoilers and space/time travel abound.
*originally recorded September 2020
BLOG: GODFATHER’S PIZZA (ESTD 1973) “A Pizza I Can’t Refuse.”
Like any complicated relationship, mine with Godfather’s pizza has always been an unresolved one with hard, strong, traumatic roots planted firmly in my childhood. But the desire to revisit this franchise was one plagued by geographical location. Y’see, there hasn’t been a Godfather’s pizza shop (that I knew of) anywhere near the Bay Area/Northern California since around 1993, which did nothing but forge the damn joint into legendary status in my memory.
COMICS: DC Presents (Vol. 1) #31 (1981) AKA Fond Memories of My First Comic.
I've had a deep love for Superman ever since a drive-in screening of the Christopher Reeve led Part II. Apparently, my Mom was on a date and she propped me and my diaper up on the front hood of the car while God knows what was happening in the back seat. I was entirely transfixed and going back I have a fondness for those movies but boy it sure is all about that Reeve presence, huh? So anytime there’s a new take of the big budget variety on the horizon my adrenaline really kicks into overdrive (yes, even after the entire Snyderverse fiasco). Batman has always meant a lot to me and I love him deeply (that is a whole other story), but Superman is the one fictional character I have always felt the strongest emotional bond with. With that in mind and all of this current speculation as to how well James Gunn will handle the character with his upcoming reboot of the DC cinematic universe, I've decided to write a little something about DC Comics Presents (Vol. 1) #31 aka the first comic book I ever owned.
PODCAST: Dick Tracy (1990) “Thanks For Listening. I Was Wondering What Some Nerds Had To Do.”
Ray has been waiting for this one and this new show with the Nerdman Robman gets deep into our love and indifference toward Warren Beatty’s 1990 comic strip adaptation directorial effort. Check it out to find out who’s on what side!
RETRO REVIEW: Super Star Wars (SNES, 1992) “Myself, the Boy, Two Droids and No Questions Asked.”
The Super Star Wars series of children’s video games for the SNES are just 3 of many countless reasons why I was never destined to become a world class athlete. In this 16-bit sidescrolling arcade action platforming series, players are given the chance to pick their favorite characters from George Lucas’ imagination and run through that galaxy far, far away recreating scenes that for the most part never even happened in any of the movies. Featuring detailed animation, incredibly authentic sound effects/music, fancy mode-7 graphics and a challenge level that could turn a 12 year old kid bald, these games were very popular in their time.
HORROR BLOG: GATE II (1990) “Sure, Let’s Return to the Nightmare. Why Not?”
Gate II is of course the follow up to The Gate (not sure why they dropped the The) which starred an adorable, young Stephen Dorff. In that first movie, he and his heavy metal loving neighbor Terry accidentally open up a gateway to Hell by playing one of his records backwards and then burying a dog in the backyard, which also inadvertently doubles as the sacrifice necessary to conjuring up the portal. Y’know, standard kid’s fare (that movie was rated PG!). It’s an all timer for me and one that I have very fond memories of. There’s a lot of strong imagery in there that’s stuck with me ever since they were burned into my brain during those formative years.
PODCAST: Batman (1989) “Never Rub Another Nerd’s Rhubarb!”
Bats are in the air! Please check out Comic Book Heroes Podcast where Rob and I party like it’s 1989. Come along on our stroll through Tim Burton’s game-changing cinematic and highly influential interpretation of the Dark Knight. Let’s get nuts!
BLOG: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) “Another TMNT Article? Tell Me You Didn't Pay Money For This.”
While the first live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was released across the nation on March 30th 1990, it wasn’t until the afternoon of Sunday April 1st when my Grandpa (I love you!) and I found ourselves circling the parking lot trying to find a spot to make it in time for our matinee showing. The fourth grade was coming to a close, Summer break was looming on the horizon and I was just a few short months away from hitting double digits by turning 10. My friends, this was an era. When we both finally got out of the car and approached the theater, I can clearly remember the line snaking all the way around the block and extending to The Good Guys building on the other side of the lot. The excitement was palpable as hundreds of grade schoolers paced nervously in place like tiny little expectant parents.
PODCAST: Welcome to the Dorkside (Episode 1)
The inaugural Tales From the Dorkside episode kicks off the site with just a couple of nerds talking about the good old N.E.S! Please enjoy this Nintendork stroll down gaming memory lane.