Nerdy Entertainment
Books • Movies • Television
The Lunduke Journal of Nerdy Entertainment & Retro Delights. Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & General Nerdery. Books, Comics, TV, & Film.
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Jack Black's first acting gig:

A 1982 commercial for Pitfall for the Atari 2600.

Now he's the voice of Bowser. Wild.

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October 30, 2023
Review: Loki Season 2, Episodes 1 - 4

Spoilers. Plenty of spoilers.

00:14:08
February 24, 2023
Mack Murphy, P.I. - Episode 2 (2008)

As I went through writing, recording, and editing "Mack Murphy, P.I." -- which I created a total of 7 episodes for -- I realized (right from the very first episode) that I had no clear idea of what my "voice" was when creating a radio drama.

What did a "Lunduke Radio Drama" sound like? Who knows! That Lunduke fella never made one before!

This was decidedly new territory for me -- I was learning a handful of different skills (and trying to find my own style and voice) on the fly.

With that realization, I decided to allow myself the freedom to experiment. As you listen to each episode you'll find me playing around with different pacing, rhythms, voice acting styles, editing tricks, and story techniques.

In Episode 2, for example, I try a few different techniques. Some of which I am surprisingly happy with the results of... others were a swing and a miss. But I promised myself I would let myself be free to experiment... and experiment, I did!

Oh, and for those asking: Yes. All ...

00:04:24
February 23, 2023
Mack Murphy, P.I. - Episode 1 (2008)

I've always had a soft spot for radio dramas. The "I love a mystery" series (from the late 1930s and early 1940s) is a particular favorite. Adventure/mysteries that often took a funky, paranormal turn.

Light, fun, and extremely enjoyable.

Back in 2008, I decided to try my hand at making a short-form radio drama -- in large part because I wanted to see what the process would be like. I wanted that experience. Writing, editing, recording, coming up with the sound effects... all of it.

So I sat down and began writing a series of short episodes -- shooting for roughly 5 minutes each. My thinking being that 5 minutes of edited audio would be short enough that it would make the process doable for one man.

I took significant inspiration from "I love a mystery" and several other radio dramas of the 1930s and 40s. With a healthy dash of noir detective sprinkled over the the top. And with more than a little steam-punk sci-fi thrown in.

The setting was Seattle, WA. A place I knew well. In ...

00:04:52
February 20, 2023
Futureworld (1976)

This week's movie was the Sci-Fi adventure "Futureworld" from 1976.

I've filled this podcast episode with all of my thoughts on the film (which, despite being ridiculous in so many ways... I enjoyed!). Toss your thoughts in the comments!

Futureworld (1976)
February 14, 2023
The N.E.R.D. Podcast - Feb 14, 2023 - Weekly Movie: Futureworld (1976)

Let's start a nerdy movie club!

This week's movie: Futureworld (1976)

Here's how this will work:

  • Watch the movie over the course of the week (I will do the same).
  • Next Monday (Feb 20th) I will make a post (plus a podcast) with my thoughts on the film.
  • Then you can jump in and we can discuss it together!

Just don't post any spoilers until next Monday! Gotta give everyone a chance to watch it first. 😉

Listen to the podcast (attached) for all the details. Really looking forward to this!

You can watch the movie (for free, no login required) on Tubi:
https://tubitv.com/movies/303010/futureworld

The N.E.R.D. Podcast - Feb 14, 2023 - Weekly Movie: Futureworld (1976)
February 12, 2023
The N.E.R.D. Podcast - Feb 12, 2023 - The Wingfeather Saga

It's hard finding great, modern (as in: produced nowadays) fantasy that can be enjoyed by both adults and kids alike.

I've found just such a thing: The Wingfeather Saga. Books and TV show. And they are spectacular.

The N.E.R.D. Podcast - Feb 12, 2023 - The Wingfeather Saga

I'm posting this here because it's just such a good parallel to watching movies.

A few weeks ago I was cleaning out a cabinet and found an unopened bottle of popping corn. The expiration date was over 2 years ago. Now, normally I would just throw out anything past its date, more so to cut down on clutter than anything else. But I decided to give it a try. Worst case, it doesn't pop and I'd throw it out.

It's perfectly fine.

This bottle has rejuvenated our movie watching togetherness. I'll make a big bowl of it and melt a whole stick of butter. Then we'll sit on the couch and plow through it while watching a movie or another episode of Northern Exposure or whatever. The dog will beg incessantly.

The whole process is fun. And it's much better than that microwaved garbage. We've almost used the entire bottle.

Simple pleasures, huh?

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Oh, man. SO TEMPTING. Playing in the theater just down the road from me:

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October 10, 2023
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Disney+ announces "Sabrina the Teenage Sith" series

At a press event earlier this afternoon, Disney announced a new show set to premier on their streaming platform during the Spring of 2024: "Sabrina the Teenage Sith".

"We at Disney listen closely to our fans," stated Disney CEO, Bob Iger.  "And what our fans are telling us they want -- more than anything -- is a new Star Wars series centered on a teenage, female Sith Lord, played by a 50 year old.  Who is nervous about dating and stuff.  We hear you.  Loud and clear."

"Also," Iger continued.  "Star Wars fans want this show to take place during the events of Episode V -- and to officially retcon the canon of The Empire Strikes Back, changing the meaning of that dreadful scene where Vader chops off Luke's hand and says all that 'I am your father' business."

"I've always felt that scene was terrible," stated Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm.  "From the very first time I saw Empire Strikes Back, early last week, I knew what that moment in Cloud City needed: Melissa Joan-Hart playing a teenage Sith.  Oh, and her sarcastic cat!  What was that cat's name?  Whatever, he was so funny!  That should fix it."

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October 06, 2023
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Review: Ahsoka - Season 1
(not too many spoilers)

I just finished watching the first season of Ahsoka on Disney+ and... you know what?  It's not terrible!

In fact -- despite some significant weak points to the series -- I rather enjoyed it.  Lots of highs, and lots of lows.  But, overall, a pretty darn fun ride!

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The true origins of The Black Panther in the Marvel Comics (1966)

I love the classic Marvel comics.  Even some of the more semi-modern ones are pretty sweet (though increasingly less so over time).  And, while Black Panther (breifly also known as Black Leopard because of feared association with the "Black Panther Party"... though the Leopard name didn't stick) is not my favorite character from the comics... he is occasionally in some pretty fun story-lines.

Much more fun in the comics than in the recent MCU movies.

The first person to be the Black Panther (there have been a few... unfortunately...) appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (July of 1966).

The character was created by the legendary Jack Kirby (with some input from Stan Lee).  When Kriby was asked about the genesis of the character, he had this to say:

"I came up with the Black Panther because I realized I had no blacks in my strip. I'd never drawn a black. I needed a black."

Seriously.  Direct quote.

That was the entire purpose for the character.  To create some sort of powerful black man to include in story lines with the Fantastic Four.  They "needed a black".

That same issue (Fantastic Four #52) was also the first time we get introduced to the kingdom of Wakanda.  This is the very first image ever depicting it... and there, seated in the middle, is The Black Panther himself:

Wakanda was a pretty rad place.  The surface was depticted as a sterotypical African image of an African village.  One that would be immediately recognizable to Fantstic Four readers.

But, underneath "the dense foliage" there existed a weird -- and tube-heavy -- high tech city.

Large portions of the city were controlled by computer -- a pretty cool idea back in 1966 -- which was built into the base of a giant statue of a black cat.

Also note that the official name for the Black Panther outfit is the "Stalking Costume".  Which he would put on whenever he would stalk his prey.  Which, when he was introduced, was The Fantastic Four.

Yeah. The Black Panther was an absolute jerk.  He, literally, enjoys hunting humans for sport.

The Black Panther was... more than a little sadistic.  He derived joy from the fear of those he hunted... and he enjoyed a challenging hunt.  This is a theme that appears, again and again, throughout the comics.  Especially the earlier ones.

He wasn't all bad.  The Black Panther, more often than not, had good intentions.  He just had his own moral code and his own way of going about things.  Which usually meant sadistic hunting of human prey.

Eventually The Black Panther became, more or less, an ally of both the Fantastic Four... and then a member of the Avengers.  But he remained a bit twisted, in my view.

The Marvel MCU representation of The Black Panther retained some of this... but really cleaned it up in order to make him a character more designed to be praised and revered.  Which, in my opinion, was a great loss.  In large part as it made many of the best Black Panther stories no longer make any sense.

If you are looking to get a good primer on the origins of The Black Panther -- I recommend issues 52 through 54 of Fantastic Four.  That's where it all really starts.

And -- despite the weak points of that story line -- it's definitely a lot more fun than the recent "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" film.  😎

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