Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1717

Kari Byron Shares Her Fierce Females Reading List (Exclusive)

Summer is officially here. If you’re looking for books to read by the beach or pool or indoors in blissful air conditioning, Kari Byron, former MythBusters host and author of Crash Test Girl, has perfect recommendations for you. She teamed up with Scribd to create a reading list brimming over with stories by and about women who kick ass. These titles are full of material to inspire you in life and in your career, and we’re happy to exclusively share Byron’s book choices with her reasons for singling them out.

Fierce Females, to Infinity and Beyond!

Kari Byron’s picks illuminate different ways to be brave and find your way. She told us exactly how each book below inspired her, so read ahead for her words.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

“This incredible true story of the black female mathematicians who played an integral role in winning the space race really inspired me. It proves that courage and perseverance are everything when it comes to reaching your dreams, and the moon (literally).”

Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed

 

?No one gives advice quite like Cheryl Strayed. Fierce, unflinching and completely clear-eyed, this book will fill your soul with warmth. It acts as an honest, raw guide for how to handle some of life’s toughest situations with grace.”

Yes Please! by Amy Poehler

“Amy Poehler knows funny. In an industry largely dominated by men, she’s carved out her own distinct style and voice. Her memoir is inspiring, engaging, and pretty darn fun.”

Sword and Laser Anthology by Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

“My friend Veronica is a whip-smart, undeniably charming (not to mention Webby Award-winning) podcaster, and lady of all trades. Escape into her expertly curated fantasy short stories — some of the best in the genre.”

What books are you reading this summer? Let us know in the comments.

Images: Harper Collins, Vintage, Dey Street Books, Lulu, Scribd

Stick around for science!

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Drones that are also flamethrowers.

Amy Ratcliffe is the Managing Editor for Nerdist. Follow her on Twitter and keep up with her Disney food adventures on Instagram.

The World’s Smallest Computer Looks Tiny Next to a Grain of Rice

In March, IBM unveiled something pretty impressive: What they called the world’s tiniest computer, which measured one millimeter by one millimeter, costs less than 10 cents to make, and boasts “a processor with ‘several hundred thousand’ transistors, SRAM memory, a photo-voltaic cell for power, and a communications unit that uses an LED and a photo-detector to talk with the outside world,” as The Verge notes.

That’s pretty cool, but the folks at the University of Michigan saw that news and had a fun laugh, because they had something even more spectacular up their sleeves. While IBM’s tiny computer had beaten their old smallness record, they’ve now reclaimed the throne. Just a few days ago, the university announced that they once again have the world’s smallest computer with a gadget that measures .3 millimeters by .3 millimeters.

Furthermore, the machine challenges the definition of what a computer is. In the case of the computer (or phone) you’re probably reading this on, all the information on it (data, programs, etc.) remain on it when turned off and back on. But that’s not the case with these tiny machines. David Blaauw, one of the professors who led the development of the computer, says, “We are not sure if they should be called computers or not. It’s more of a matter of opinion whether they have the minimum functionality required.”

The university notes that applications for a computer of this size could include pressure sensing inside the eye for glaucoma diagnosis, cancer studies, oil reservoir monitoring, biochemical process monitoring, audio and visual surveillance, and tiny snail studies.

What do you think of this, the world’s smallest computer? What would you use a computer this small for? Let us know what you think down in the comments!

Featured image: University of Michigan

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You Can Have A Real-Life MARIO KART Race in Japan

There are a lot of things about the Mario games that aren’t exactly realistic. Headbutting blocks suspended in midair, jumping on turtles, and defeating a giant lizard king in order to free a princess aren’t exactly everyday activities in the real world (and things like destruction of property and animal cruelty are frowned upon and also illegal). If there’s one thing from the Mario series that seems feasible, though, it’s kart racing. And if you want a true Mario Kart experience, heading to Japan is your best bet.

There is a company with the technically-non-copyright-infringing name MariCar, which offers Mario Kart-style tours of Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa (via Geekologie). It’s less of a race and more of a guided tour, since passing each other in city traffic and throwing bananas all over the road isn’t the model of safety. But it still looks like a pretty sweet experience.

Participants get to wear Mario character costumes and zip around the city at speeds reaching about 50 miles per hour, which is surely exhilarating since you’re in an open kart so close to the ground. The experience will definitely make you think twice the next time you consider throwing a red shell and dooming someone to a damaging accident.

Would you give this IRL Mario Kart a try? Why isn’t this available in North America yet? Or is it, and we’re just not aware? Let us know what you think down in the comments!

Featured image: Nintendo

More fun with Mario Kart

Wario is officially the best Mario Kart character
Watch Hugh Jackman narrate a real-life Mario Kart race
A artist brings Rainbow Road to the real world

The Original BACK TO THE FUTURE II Sneakers Are Tragically Rotting Away

They say all good things must come to an end, and tragically, that’s exactly what’s happening to the badass future-sneakers Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly wore in Back to the Future II (via Kotaku). The MAGS have been fan favorites since the film’s 1989 debut, and Nike has commercially rereleased them a few times for limited edition runs. What’s left of the original pair, however, is currently being displayed at Index, a sneaker consignment store in Portland… and they’re not looking too hot as of late.

Even high quality shoes really aren’t built to last that long, and that goes double for ostentatious, unrealistic movie kicks. The fabric has remained intact (for now), but the rubber on the back has entirely rotted away into a nasty-looking orange crumble. The sneakers are so fragile they have to be handled with as much care as artifacts in a museum, white cotton gloves and all.

Although its current state is a bit bleak, the single left shoe was auctioned off over eBay for over $92,700. (It was only available for buyers local to the Portland area because there’s no way it would survive transport without falling apart completely.)

It’s honestly a sad sight to see how far these once glorious sneakers have fallen, but they will forever live on as some of the coolest shoes to ever grace the silver screen.

Images: eBay

More Pop Culture Sneakers!

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Dwayne Johnson Reveals SKYSCRAPER Retro Posters Paying Tribute to Its Inspirations

It’s been a running joke ever since the first trailer appeared: Skyscraper is “Die Hard in a building,” a seemingly redundant pitch (Die Hard, of course, IS set in a building) that both the original film’s writer Steven de Souza and star Bruce Willis say they’ve heard unironically over the years. Dwayne Johnson was raised in the wrestling business, where respect for your elder competitors is paramount (at least among the in-ring talent, if not always the promoters): use a move that somebody else has used before, and you’d better get their permission for it.

It’s not clear what permission the star may or may not have gotten in advance, but with two new retro-styled posters he commissioned, and revealed today, he acknowledges that he is in fact using moves, so to speak, from two films. One is Die Hard; the other is The Towering Inferno.

I had these ultra cool vintage posters made paying homage to the two classic movies that inspired me and generations, and became the inspiration for my film SKYSCRAPER.

Respect & luv to the GOAT’s Willis, McQueen & Newman.#DieHard #ToweringInferno #SKYSCRAPER JULY 13th

RICK AND MORTY Fans Get POCKET MORTYS Plush Exclusives For Comic-Con

If Rick and Morty fans are coming to Comic-Con for special exclusives, then they’re in for some treats. Funko has previously unveiled its Western Rick and Morty Pop figures as well as a “Goodbye Moonmen” vinyl as their exclusives for the year. Now, Symbiote Studios has revealed a pair of Rick and Morty exclusives of their own: two plush Mortys that are based on the mobile game Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys.

The thing to keep in mind is that Pocket Mortys tasks players with finding and collecting the various Mortys of the multiverse. It’s basically an enjoyable Pokemon Go parody. The first SDCC exclusive plush is Super Rick Fan Morty, and as his name suggests, this Morty really wears his Rick on his head and his shirt. He even comes with a plush Rick toy of his own.

The second Pocket Mortys exclusive hails from a world where Morty must really like cats. This is Two Cat Morty, and his plush feline companions have rewarded his affection by scratching his face and tearing his shirt. Maybe Morty would have better luck if he held a single cat with two arms. As anyone who has ever owned a feline can attest, cats will let you know when they don’t want to be held. And they speak with their claws and their teeth.

 

Two Cat Morty and Super Rick Fan Morty will both be available at the Symbiote Studios booth during Comic-Con. They are also available for purchase on Symbiote’s official site.The price has been set at $29.99 each.

What do you think about these Pocket Mortys exclusive plush collectibles? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: Symbiote Studios

Do you want Rick and More-ty?

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A song inspired by Morty’s mother Beth.
A Rick and Morty apple pie looks…tasty?

What Do the Batman and X-Men Weddings Tell Us About Superhero Matrimony? [SPOILERS]

Warning: There are massive spoilers ahead for Batman #50 & X-Men Gold #30!

Just over a year ago, Batman proposed to Catwoman on a rooftop, and set the stage for one of the biggest superhero weddings in years. On Wednesday, July 4, Batman #50 will feature the culmination of that storyline. However, if you were expecting things to go smoothly, then your hopes are about to be dashed. DC Comics just couldn’t resist spoiling the twist ahead of time, and The New York Times has the full breakdown of the issue. But the big takeaway is that Catwoman left Batman on their wedding day and there will be no “Batrimony.”

Less than a month ago, something similar happened in the Marvel Universe. The X-Men‘s Kitty Pryde and Colossus were set to wed after a courtship that encompasses three decades of comic book stories. And once again, the bride left the groom at the wedding. To recap, both Marvel and DC spent months hyping up these events and then pulled the plug right before they were supposed to deliver. But at least X-Men fans got a wedding out of it, even if it was an impromptu ceremony for Rogue and Gambit.

The fact that neither Marvel nor DC’s super-couples made it down the aisle suggests that the publishers still have a reluctance to let their heroes be truly happy. That’s actually one of the reasons Catwoman calls off her wedding, because she comes to believe that Bruce Wayne can’t be happy and function as Batman at the same time. Conversely, Kitty Pryde just came to doubt that she and Colossus could make a marriage work after all of their ups and downs.

Rogue and Gambit are about to headline their own series, Mr. & Mrs. X, which indicates that Marvel plans to keep them together for the foreseeable future. Will their union last in the long term? Probably not. Almost all of the big Marvel marriages have been broken up. Spider-Man & Mary Jane, Jean Grey & Cyclops, and Storm & Black Panther all had high profile weddings. But those unions are gone now.

Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman from the Fantastic Four have largely stayed together for several decades as a married couple, but that success appears to be the exception rather than the rule. Superman and Lois Lane shared nearly two decades as husband and wife before the New 52 relaunch of 2011 made them single again. DC ultimately reversed course and reestablished the Superman and Lois marriage, and they seem to be among the few comic book couples who are truly inseparable.

A Batman and Catwoman union could have been a lot of fun, and the build up to the story offered fresh perspective on both characters. Perhaps someday, they’ll try again and we’ll pretend to forget why it didn’t work out this time. These iconic characters will outlive all of us, but few will ever really change.

What do you think about the Batrimony breakup? Let us know below!

Images: DC/Marvel

More comics-related stories:

Check out Sideshow’s new premium Rogue statue.
12 Avengers we still want to see onscreen.
Adam Glass talks Teen Titans.

KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE Punching Puppets Are Finally a Thing

In 1988, Charles Chiodo, Edward Chiodo, and Stephen Chiodo pooled their talents while writing, directing, and producing Killer Klowns From Outer Space. As the title suggests, this sci-fi horror comedy was about evil alien invaders who just happened to look and act like nightmarish circus clowns. While a sequel has yet to materialize, the film has gone on to become a cult classic, and the Chiodo Brothers are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their famous movie by releasing a new line of handmade Killer Klown puppets.

Via Bloody Disgusting, the Chiodos have unveiled their “Knock My Block Off Action Puppets” on their official site. Note that these are not necessarily the same Klowns from the original movie, but they seem to evoke the spirit of that film. There are five puppets in total, starting with Blubbo.

Next up, meet Droog.

Kvetch seems to have cornered the “creepy uncle vibe.”

For some reason, we think that the Ozob puppet is the one most likely to come to life and stalk you in your own home.

And finally, we have Snarlz. What a charmer.

The puppets are $200 individually, and there are only 125 copies of each character. The official description calls them “one-of-a-kind, highly detailed, hand painted, punching action puppets.” However, there is also a disclaimer that says each puppet is unique, so there will be variations in hair color and painted details around the eyes and color. In other words, the puppets you buy may not necessarily look exactly like the puppets pictured here.

If you want to invite these Killer Klowns puppets into your home, the Chiodos’ official site has all of the details.

What do you think about these Killer Klowns From Outer Space puppets? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: The Chiodo Brothers

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Is The Quantum Realm the Key to Undoing INFINITY WAR’s Deaths?

With Ant-Man and the Wasp hitting theaters, morose Marvel fans are hoping to have their spirits lifted after the emotional toll Avengers: Infinity War took on them. The aftermath of the Snapture–the clever moniker given to what happened after Thanos collected all the Infinity Stones and put used their terrible powers–has left Marvel fans reeling and feverishly speculating as to how Earth’s Mightiest Heroes can triumph over the Mad Titan in Avengers 4. After all, there are some VERY dead people who supposedly have sequels in the works. Those will be awfully short films unless the Avengers can figure out a way to save the day. Though many fans are keeping their fingers crossed that answer to the Avenger’s woes will be found within one of the most important parts of Ant-Man and the Wasp: the Quantum Realm.

For those who don’t remember, the Quantum Realm is an alternate dimension within the Marvel Universe where time and space don’t obey the same set of rules that they do in our world. Given its impossibly small size, it is only accessible through magical means or by harnessing the power of subatomic particles to shrink oneself down. As we learn in Ant-Man and the Wasp, the Quantum Realm is full of unknown power and possibility, so it stands to reason that it could potentially be harnessed in order to help restore balance to a universe that Thanos has thrown wildly off its axis. In order to find out what the future holds for the Quantum Realm and the Avengers, our reporter Markeia McCarty sat down with Ant-Man and the Wasp stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, and Hannah John-Kamen, as well as director Peyton Reed. As per usual, our favorite answer came from Evangeline Lilly. Watch the video above to find out exactly how she would get us out of this mess.

Ant-Man and the Wasp opens on July 6, 2018. Read our spoiler-free review!

Images: Disney/Marvel Studios

Even more Marvel news!

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This Tron-style Iron Man is the convention exclusive you need
Could you actually snap your fingers in an Infinity Gauntlet?

Amazing FALLOUT Props Can Make Your Vault-Dwelling Dreams a Reality

The Fallout hype is real right now, especially after the Fallout 76 E3 news we recently got. And what better way to celebrate than by collecting these awesome real life  props of items from the game, including replicas of the plasma rifle, plasma pistol, power fist, and a build-your-own Pip-Boy kit?  Now we finally get to live our vault-dwelling dreams, but with all the cool stuff and none of the radiation poisoning or death claws. Whether you’re a cosplayer, a collector, or just looking to run around your house playing Wasteland, these props could be a sweet deal.

The weapon replicas are 1:1, meaning they’re life-size. The Pip-Boy is not only true to size, but wearable as well. It comes in a kit that you get to build yourself, which was designed after the kits Vault-Tec gave out in the game. The box and components all take after the classic Fallout ’50s style, and can either be taken apart for the Pip-Boy to be assembled, or can be displayed on their own.

All of the props are on sale now on Gamestop‘s website, created in conjunction with ThinkGeek. The rifle retails for $119.00, the pistol for $59.99, the power fist for $99.99, and the Pip-Boy kit is going for $149.99. If you consider how much you might spend making a cosplay prop from scratch, these prices could be comparable or even a bit cheaper. The Pip-Boy drops on November 13, and we’ll have to wait until December 31 for the weapon replicas.

Given what we’ve seen so far, do you think these props are going to be worth the wait? Fall in to the comments below and let us know.

Images: Gamestop

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