Contest Closed! Thanks for playing.

As you all clearly know, I love me some Halo. And if my full suit of Master Chief armor doesn’t hammer home that message, I really don’t know what will. The games, the novels, the movies (Legends wasn’t bad!), the comics… I just can’t get enough. And that includes the hilarious Red. vs Blue series.

Red vs. Blue: Season 9 continues the story of Red vs Blue: Revelation, and breaks the same rules that RvB:R did… we’re introduced to a story being told without the traditional Halo engine, and instead, are treated to pre-rendered CGI.

And while the story this series tells gets a little confusing at times (there are two distinct story arcs through the twenty episode series, one of which goes back and uses the Halo engine), the Rooster Teeth crew continue to deliver a hilarious narrative that Halo fans everywhere will love.

The DVD has all the usual suspects that Red vs. Blue releases tend to include. Hilarious director’s commentary, outtakes and deleted scenes, cast interviews, and the PSAs that Rooster Teeth is celebrated for. Since you can watch the series for free online, it’s a must to include this sort of stuff for fans. And they give you a lot of it, especially with the behind the scenes videos.

The folks at New Video Group were kind enough to send over a bunch of copies to giveaway. I’ve got three copies of Season 9 up for grabs here. Just leave a comment about your favorite game in the Halo series for a chance to win. I’ll pick one of you at random next week and drop a copy in the mail.

Be sure to scope out Rooster Teeth’s website for more information on Red vs. Blue. Old episodes, hilarious comics… they do some great work, those guys.

Cinematic Titanic is coming to the Keswick Theatre New Years Eve-Eve (Get tickets here!), and in preparation for that I got to chat with the man himself behind both Cinematic Titanic and Mystery Science Theater 3000, Joel Hodgson.

The Godfather of Movie Riffing was nice enough to impart on me not only some of his philosophy on riffing,  but the origins of MST3K and what goes into putting together a show like Cinematic Titanic.

I hope you enjoy this behind the scenes conversation about probably one of the greatest shows in all of geekdom .

For the people who may not know, what is Cinematic Titanic and how did it come about?

Well to know what Cinematic Titanic is you first have to know what Mystery Science Theater 3000 is.  I actually have to explain what MST3K is a lot.  Whenever I meet people and they ask what I do, I never presume they know, because it was a cult show.

I basically say, it’s the show where they run bad movies and they super impose little silhouettes at the bottom of the screen; who say stuff during the movie. Then if they are familiar with it they usually brighten up a bit or they just matter of factly say, “no I have never seen it.”

Cinematic Titanic is the original cast of MST3K and we have our jokes all setup and we riff on a movie based on the success of MST3K. That is what I usually say at that point, so the people who haven’t heard of it at least know it’s successful.

Is there a reason you tend to choose more obscure films to riff on than some of your contemporaries?

There is a couple of reasons, the first being cost.

People like Rifftrax are doing it and they just have to put their voices in. I have seen other people do that too where you don’t know who they are, you just hear talking. I guess you could do that, but to me that is only part of movie riffing. The other part is your physical presence; what you’re doing when you’re riffing.

I think people do that, it’s my impression that they think it’s a marketing thing.  That if you have seen this movie you might want to see someone riff on it.

So we don’t really do that. I see MST3K and Cinematic Titanic working another side of the street.

To me what I think people like about MST3K and Cinematic Titanic is that we show movies they haven’t seen before. So it’s kind of like a new place, which is part of the value and mystique in it. So we are a lot like your tour guides in this place.

Take something like Manos: The Hands of Fate, when I watch that show it’s not even my favorite riff. But because the movie is so strange and unusual, it just has this bizarre attraction for people.

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Have you ever wondered if there was a whole other world, which existed just outside of your comprehension? Neil Gaiman did, and the result is 1996’s Neverwhere. Auntie Beeb is releasing all six episodes, plus so much more, in a special 15th Anniversary DVD set.

Neverwhere is a trippy view of “London Below,” the world that exists in parallel to our own. The story follows Richard Mayhew (Gary Bakewell), who stops to help an injured woman over the protestations of his fiancée. The woman is actually a dweller of London Below named Door (Laura Fraser), whose entire family has just been murdered and is being chased by the menacing assassins, Mr. Croup (more…)

What’s better than Season 2 of The Walking Dead ? Season 2 of The Walking Dead WITH DRINK SPECIALS.

Enter the Irish Pol. You’ve got the chance to see the show on a HUGE screen with $4 Rogue Dead Guy Ales and $5 “Zombie Brain” shots in addition to their already killer selection of on-tap brews.

The best part is these specials run through The Walking Dead AND the 2 additional times that AMC plays it (so if you can’t make the 9pm viewing, head over at 10!). Every Sunday at The Irish Pol. Zombies and the Irish Pol. Two great tastes that taste great together.

Last week, Season Two of the BCC’s amazing psychological drama, Luther, hit the streets on DVD. I first tuned into this show when I discovered that Idris Elba, the man who played Stringer Bell in HBO’s The Wire, was the main character. He was amazing on that show, and is just as fantastic in Luther. Unfamiliar with the story? Well here’s a synopsis.

The dark psychological drama starring Emmy nominee Idris Elba (The Wire, American Gangster) as John Luther, the near-genius detective struggling with his own demons, returns with two distinctive, thrilling crime stories. Devastated by the brutal murder of his wife, Luther returns to policing in a different world. His old unit has gone and he’s working in the newly created Serious and Serial unit, headed by former police complaints officer Martin Schenk. Luther quickly gathers together his team, rescuing his old partner Detective Justin Ripley from uniform.

It’s not long before they’re dealing with their first case. A masked man wanders the streets of London, carrying out ritualistic murders in historic locations, working his way up to one final masterpiece… Crackling with energy and beautifully shot this series sees Luther take bigger risks and face even darker challenges.

The folks over at the BCC were kind enough to provide me with a review copy and a giveaway. Review wise, there’s not much to say. I absolutely adore this show, and having it on DVD is great. End of story.

The two disc set, which consists of four, one hour episodes (this might seem short, but this is pretty standard for a BBC drama, just look at Sherlock), is certainly a must for any fan of the series. As with every high quality BBC show, its shot beautifully (again, look at Sherlock, or even the Robin Hood revamp). And Elba is just incredible. For more info, visit the BBC’s official website.

All that being said, I’ve got TWO copies of Luther: Season Two to giveaway to a lucky reader. Just leave a comment about your favorite BBC program, whether its Luther or Doctor Who, and I’ll select two of you at random at the end of next week. Good luck!

You could be one of these guys.

Do you think you’re the nerdiest, geekiest, smartiest geek in Philadelphia? How about Pennsylvania? How about, the entire US? You do? Well, have I found the opportunity for you!

The producers of Mythbusters, Survivor, & the Amazing Race are looking for intellectually savvy guys and girls to be on Reality TV!

They’re looking for geeks ages 21-30 to participate in a competition-based reality show entitled KING OF THE NERDS. This show is honoring passionate geeks around the country. They’re looking for geeks who excel in mathematics, physics, build robots for fun, and are Sci-Fi fanatics!

All you need to do is e-mail [email protected] with your name, age, photo, contact information, and a brief bio describing why YOU deserve to be King of the Nerds.

I already sent in my information and would love to see more of Philadelphia’s “geek elite” step up to the challenge! Let’s face it. Ain’t no geek like a Geekadelphia geek cause a Geekadelphia geek don’t stop.

Source: Craigslist

Family Guy is one of the geekiest things on network television right now and is gearing up for its 11th season on Fox. Its hard to believe that the show would still be running this long after its tumultuous beginnings and getting canceled during its first run on Fox.

The 11th season of Family Guy premiers on September 25th, and we have some RSVPs to give away to an advance screening at 11:59pm Thursday, September 15th at the Rave.

Wanna go? Simply comment with your favorite episode and why by Wednesday at midnight, and the top answers will be on the guest list courtesy of Fox and Geekadelphia.

Hayley J. Williams is the next British rising star. HeR craft is tightly woven in Sci-Fi and Horror. Recently, Hayley was featured in the BBC Radio Drama Torchwood: The Lost Files. Hayley co-starred as Sian Pearce. In her episode, The Devil and Miss Carew, Hayley had the pleasure of working alongside Torchwood cast members John Barrowman and Eve Myles.

A self-described Horror Junkie, her love of horror led her to aspire to be the next Scream Queen—a title she would wear proudly! I jumped at the chance to interview Hayley. It’s always great to see a rising female horror star! So I got to ask her a few questions about her experiences working with Torchwood, and her horror movie dreams.

What is it about the horror and Sci-Fi genre that draws you in as an actress?

I love being scared! Halloween is my favorite holiday. I’ve been interested in the paranormal since I was about 10, and anything ghostly, weird or wonderful fascinates me and I have this urge to find out more!

I watched Nightmare on Elm Street on my 13th birthday during a girlie sleepover and I remember my friend Carol and I were the only ones who managed to make it through the whole thing. All of the other girls hid behind the sofa, and it was then that I realized how powerful the genre was! I became a junkie and rented every horror video I could find, and since then it was always my dream to be in a horror movie.

I got my dream role playing the lead in the spooky ghost story The Shadow Within. I didn’t get to do much screaming, but I did get a great fight scene, an underwater scene, and I got to work with special effects for the first time! I think that’s what I like most about making films in general… all the cool things you get to do! It brings out my inner child…especially when you get to play with blood and gore. How much fun is that? (more…)

TeeFury.com’s MVP and Philly’s own Scott Derby is back with another amazing geeky tattoo design, available for 24 hours only!

This time it’s Joss Whedon’s Firefly that gets the tat treatment with Captain Malcolm Reynold’s (played famously by fangirl favorite Nathan Fillion) “I aim to misbehave” quote. All you Browncoats and Whedon-ites would be remiss in not picking up this awesome shirt!

No procrastination allowed! This baby is only available until midnight today, Monday August 22nd. At the sweet sweet price of $10 (+s/h), you won’t feel like you’re misbehaving by spending the cash on this tee. Head over to TeeFury.com and get yours now!

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The brainchild of two Temple University students, Harvey Schnitzel, Time Traveler started as a simple comedy short and is now growing into a full blown webseries. In the words of Alexandra Peck, one of the creators:

“In the short, Harvey is a day-dreaming greeting card creator in the year 1997 who is strongly opposed to the development of the e-card, citing a love for vintage and the idea of a better time. The story in the webseries follows this lead, essentially suggesting that Harvey can never find the best possible era to live because there is no, true ‘perfect era’. In each episode, an allergic attack sparks a jump from the present to the past (or future) which features the same people who exist in the present, but, with a time related-twist. Somehow, Harvey can never find the perfect era.”

Shot digitally, the first series will span six 10 minute episodes and will feature heavy improv by the actors. Check out the hilarious project video and be sure to support the Philly Kickstarter scene.

The Project: Harvey Schnitzel, Time Traveler – Live Action Webseries

Creators: Alexandra Peck, Jason A Pearlman, Luke J Marron, Daniel Dorff

The Sweet Spot: $35 bucks gets your name in the website credits, free hugs and a DVD of the whole series, but high rollers can drop $1000 to add foot rubs, grape feeding, and private performances to the list. What, no ecard?

Funding Deadline: August 16th, 2011

More Info: Check out more Harvey on YouTube and Facebook

And of course, don’t forget to hit up the Kickstarter page to support them.

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Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by local Philadelphians. Check em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact [email protected]

Behind the Scenes in Dr. Who, Series 6, Part 1

BBC recently released Dr. Who Series 6 Part 1 on Blu-ray and DVD, and they let THIS Whovian review it for Geekadelphia! Let me tell you, this is a must have item for any Dr. Who addict. You already know that the cinematic quality of Dr. Who has risen dramatically in the past few years, and watching this Blu-ray will put you in the center of HD greatness.

I took it upon myself to watch the first two episodes right off the bat, and the outdoor scenes shot in America look STUNNING. You can really appreciate the fine detail in color, and the grotesqueness that is The Silence.

Speaking of The Silence, another great feature on the Blu-ray are the Monster Files. If you love the creatures in Dr. Who, and you’re a special effects enthusiast– then you’re going to love this. The Monster Files explores the different aspects that make up The Silence and The Gangers. It tells you everything from the initial idea of these creatures, to the back-story of how they came to be and why they are so terrifying.

Pew pew pew!

Dr. Who Series 6 Part 1 hit stores on July 19th, and we have three DVDs to give away! That’s right. Three!

So… comment below with your favorite Dr. Who quote. I’ll select three of you at random next week and mail you a copy. Good luck!

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with British sci-fi. So, when Geekadelphia had the opportunity to speak with Arlene Tur from the upcoming season Torchwood; I jumped on it. If you don’t know about Torchwood then, 1.) we’re not friends, and 2.) it’s all on Netflix so get to watchin’.

The new season entitled Miracle Day opens with a simple concept; What if everyone in the world stopped dying? As Captain Jack would willingly tell you, “Take it from someone who knows. Not being able to die… SUCKS.”

Arlene Tur has some exciting things to say about the new season without giving away the juicy details, but it was enough for me to jump up and down with giddy anticipation.

Torchwood is a BBC series, so not many Americans are aware of it. Could you describe the show for our American audiences, and why should they watch it?

Torchwood is a secret service in England that basically is in charge of keeping the people unaware and safe from extraterrestrial activities. They have the top technology, and supernatural things are going on all around them. What’s different about this, is that the show itself isn’t just sci-fi, because a lot of things in the hospital. It’s a hospital show, a secret government agency show, and a sci-fi show. There is also comedy in there. I feel like this is a show that everyone can enjoy.

This season marks the return of John Barrowman (Jack Harkness) and Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper) but now features Bill Pullman, Mekhi Phifer and yourself. Do you feel these American actors will bring something different to Torchwood?

What I think is exciting is– for the first time on a TV show we’re actually COLLABORATING. Instead of the Americans taking the English material and turning it into a more “American” show, Starz is saying to the BBC; look, you really know what you’re doing. Let’s collaborate!

So it’s both of us working together versus what they usually do, and just take what’s there and just basically do it word for word. I feel like this is so smart, and it’s going to bring a lot to the table. It’s going to bring both styles that are obviously successful and they’re going to be united. I’m really excited.

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