Random Throwback: My Sting Costume 1997

That's me as Sting "intimidating" Drew.

I'm not a cosplayer.  I haven't really even dressed up for Halloween all that much.  Of the times I have dressed up, my favorite is probably Halloween 1997.

That year, I made an nWo t-shirt, painted my face like the WCW superstar Sting and grabbed a baseball bat, and I had a great Sting costume.

Sting had long been one of my favorites in wrestling, and in the build up to his showdown with the nWo, Sting was probably the most popular in his career

Me applying the paint and my reference.

My Top Ten Zombie Movies

I have been making some top ten lists as of late, and decided that next up should be my favorite zombie movies.  As you may notice from the list, I like humor and George A. Romero. 

Honorable mentions:  28 Days Later (2002),  28 Weeks Later (2007), Land of the Dead (2005), Army of Darkness (1992), Warm Bodies (2013)


10.  Night of the Living Dead (1968)
The originator of the modern genre, and it has to have a place high on any top zombie movie list for it's influence alone.  This movie holds up well even after 40+ years, and has influenced most if not all of the films on my list.

9.  Night of the Comet (1984)
One of a few movies on this list, that I saw when I was young.  This has a nostalgic place on my list with the old fashioned comet flying past earth that wreaks havoc.  The people who watched the comet for the longest died and were turned to red dust, those who watched the comet for a brief time became zombie, and those who did not watch the comet were normal.

8. World War Z (2013)
The Brad Pitt movie that featured fasting moving army ant-like zombies was entertaining.  I liked the way around the zombies in the movies when they didn't attack the weak or sick, that was an interesting twist on the genre.  I also enjoyed getting to see a large scale zombie apocalypse and world travel, instead of being confined to a small area.

7.  Return of the Living Dead (1985)
This was the first zombie film I remember seeing as a kid that had humor (the second one even more so), and yet it still scared me.  This was available on Amazon Prime Video a while back and I re-watched it for the time in forever.

6.  Night of the Living Dead (Remake) (1990)
Remakes and reboots have been a trend in a Hollywood for a long time now.  This is one remake that I like more than the original.

5.  Resident Evil Franchise (2002 - Present)
I know these films are not popular with everyone, but I have re-watched all five movies several times, and I enjoy the super heroics of Alice in her dealings with zombies and the Umbrella Corporation.
 
4.  Day of the Dead (1985)
 Romero let the zombies grow and evolve in this chapter of his series, and by the end you are rooting for "Bub" to get Rhodes.

3.  Zombieland (2009)
I love the humor/horror mix in this film, the cast is brilliant.  Bill Murray is so awesome in his scenes.  This is also a sentimental favorite since portions of it were filmed at the near by Wild Adventures theme park.

2.  Dawn of the Dead (1978)
George A. Romero's masterpiece is the first zombie movie that I remember watching as a kid, and I loved the idea of living the mall for protection and supplies.  The premises is still a fantastic one, which brought us a well received remake and help to inspire a popular video game franchise, "Dead Rising."
 
1.  Shaun of the Dead (2004)
This is the zombie movie that I have watched the most.  If I'm bored on a Saturday afternoon and can't think of anything else watch, this is one my choices to start up.  I love British TV and British humor, so that helps to make this one my favorites.  I like Shaun's journey in this movie, and I really appreciate it that this movie has a happy ending, since most zombie movies don't end well for our protagonists.

Untimely Random Book Reviews: Star Wars Death Troopers

Star Wars Death Troopers written by Joe Schreiber was released on October 13, 2009, and almost five years later, I recently finished reading this entertaining Star Wars horror novel.

I had heard about this book several years ago, and I thought that it sounded interesting.  I also remember walking into the local Books-A-Million, and seeing the cover the first time, I thought that it looked awesome with bloody storm trooper helmet and chains (pictured left).  Even though it sounded and looked good, I did not rush out and pick up a copy of this title.

A few months ago, I saw the hard cover at a local bookstore at a discounted price, and I couldn't pass it up.  The first half of the novel is a lot of introductions to the characters and the settings, and then almost everyone dies from a mysterious illness, and the fun begins.

I read the second half of the novel very quickly, and I really enjoyed the action and suspense.  There one thing that I will not mention, so as not to spoil anything, but there are two characters in the novel that I was unaware of as I started reading, and they were an interesting turn in the story.

If you like Star Wars and you like zombies, this was a fun read in the galaxy far far away.

My Top Ten Superheros

My favorite superheroes over the years have been mostly influenced by cartoons and movies. I still have a good chunk of my comics from my childhood, and several modern comics and trades, but those have never been in the forefront for me. As a child, I liked getting comics to look at the images and try to draw them, since I liked drawing, but until recent years, I rarely would actually read the comics.

I have listed my Top 10 Superheros below and underneath each listed some of the main ways that I've experienced the character.

Honorable Mentions:
Robin, Thing, Green Arrow, Supergirl, Cyclops, Mr. Fantastic


My Top 10 Superheros:

10. Daredevil

Feature Film, Trial of the Incredible Hulk, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Avengers Alliance Facebook Game

9. Iceman
Spiderman and His Amazing Friends, 3 X-men movies

8. Wolverine

The X-men cartoon in the 90s, X-men comics, 7 feature films, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Avengers Alliance Facebook Game

7. Thor
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Avengers Alliance Facebook Game

6. The Incredible Hulk
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Incredible Hulk television series, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Avengers Alliance Facebook Game

5. Batman
The 60s TV Series, 7 out of 8 feature films, Super Friends, Scooby Doo, Arkham Video Games

4. Spiderman
Spiderman and His Amazing Friends and the five features films, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Spiderman games of the early 2000s

3. Iron Man
The Marvel Cinematic Universe,The Invincible Iron Man comics, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Avengers Alliance Facebook Game

2. Captain America
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Earth's Mightiest Heroes, and Captain American comic books, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Avengers Alliance Facebook Game

1. Superman
The six feature films, Smallville, Lois and Clark, Superfriends, Superman Comics, Smallville Comics, Superman Novel

RCP (mp3) Episode 49 - 6.04 Guardians of the Galaxy

Episode 49 - 6.04 Guardians of the Galaxy

In this episode of the Random City Podcast, I briefly discuss one of my new favorite movies, The Guardians of the Galaxy.  During the discussion, I share my thoughts on the film, the soundtrack, and some of the Guardians merchandise that is and is not available.

One thing that should be available is the dancing baby Groot that is featured at the end of the film.  I mentioned that my wife sculpted an awesome Baby Groot, and it can be found on her Facebook page, and it is embedded below.

I also mention in the episode that the track listing on the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack should be listed in order of appearance.  Currently, the Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 is available from Amazon for only $6.99 for digital download.

The Guardians of the Galaxy songs in order of appearance in the film is as follows.

1.  I'm Not in Love (10cc) - Peter listens to this in the hospital in the cold open.

2. Come and Get Your Love (Redbone) - Peter listens to this while dancing around before retrieving the orb.

3.  Go All the Way (The Raspberries) - Playing in the background just before Bereet answers Yondu's call.

4. Hooked on a Feeling (Blue Swede) - Blue alien is listening to Peter's Walkman in the prison and Peter gets tazed.

5. Escape "The Pina Coloada Song" (Rupert Holmes) - Blue alien is listening to this when Peter is about to escape the prison, and he reclaims his prized Walkman, before flying to the Milano.

6. Moonage Daydream (David Bowie) - Playing in the background as the enter "Knowhere".

7. Fooled Around and Fell in Love (Elvin Bishop) - Peter plays this for Gamora while waiting to meet with her "buyer" for the orb.

8. Cherry Bomb (The Runaways) - Played as the Guardians are preparing to go battle Ronan.

9. O-O-H Child (The Five Stairsteps) - Playing on the tape player in the destroyed Milano, which Peter uses as a distraction.

10. Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Tammi Terrell) - Technically this is from Awesome Mix Vol. 2, Peter listens to this song from his present from his dying mother near the end of the film.

11. I Want You Back (The Jackson Five) - Presumably from Awesome Mix Vol. 2 as well, this songs plays while Baby Groot dances. 

12. Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum) - Did not appear in the film, but it is rumored that this song was featured in a deleted scene.

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