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What’s the Smallest Hole This Mouse Can Get Through?

We live in a world that has been asking this age-old question for years: “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” Youtuber and woodworker Matthias Wandel decided to ask the no-so age-old question: “How small a hole can a mouse fit through if taunted with peanut butter?” While it is not as fun to say as the former, we are at least able to answer Matthias’ question thanks to this video.

Matthias has created an ingenious (and safe) apparatus that can test the flexibility of mice as they try to push themselves through holes of various sizes to get a peanut butter treat. From the start, the mouse is able to get through a 19mm hole, as well as a 17.5. As the holes became smaller, the ambition of the mouse got less and less. Thankfully, Matthias was treated to a surprise visitor in the form of a shrew. While it seemed too big to fit in the holes, the drive of the shrew was greater than its size, as it was able to get through the 17mm hole, the best achievement of the two rodents. Let’s just hope that neither animal had any peanut allergies; otherwise, Matthias has another issue on his hands.

You can see more videos from Matthias on his YouTube channel here.

So what do you think? What other animals would you like to see test their flexibility? Let me know on Twitter @donnielederer or sound off in the comments below.

Image: Matthias Wandel

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See CHANCE THE RAPPER Report Weather, Don HARRY POTTER “Invisibility Cloak”

We’re starting to think Chance the Rapper might be in the wrong profession and should abandon his music career to become a full-time journalist. Because after his amazing sketch last month on SNL where he played a confused sideline reporter at a hockey game, he followed that up this past Friday by filling in as a weatherman at a local Chicago TV station. And not only did he nail the surprisingly difficult task of working with a green screen, he also paid homage to Harry Potter by donning an “invisibility cloak.”

In a story we came across at Entertainment Weekly, the Chicago native joined WGN Morning News to discuss his incredible million dollar donation to the Chicago Public Schools he made last March, and while he was there he helped out giving the weekend weather forecast. And he pulled it off, because apparently he’s great at everything he does.

I can tell you from personal experience it’s disorienting to stand in front of a green screen and point to the exact right spot during a weather forecast. It’s inverted and counter-intuitive, and that’s without someone messing up and listing Peru as being in Illinois. (Wait a second….oh, huh, would you look at that.)

But doing the weather while also finding the time to pay homage to the Boy Who Lived? That’s next level, which is why if he ever gets tired of the music industry we know he won’t be out of work long. We all need to know the weather forecast.

What other job would you like to see Chance the Rapper try? Name the next profession he should work at in our comments section below.

Featured Image: WGN News

 

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JESSICA JONES Announces Debut Date for Season 2 in New Trailer

Last summer, New York City was saved by The Defenders, and now it’s time for Jessica Jones to get back to her own life. Marvel TV and Netflix have dropped a trailer for the second season of Jessica Jones, which finds Krysten Ritter‘s titular heroine once again proving to be somewhat self-destructive as she returns to her roots as a private investigator. Judging from this footage, Jessica will once again find herself in trouble with the law. But it’s all worth it for the shade that she throws on Spider-Man‘s most famous catchphrase.

It also appears that the new season will pick up on the origin of Jessica’s superpowers, as her best friend and adoptive sister, Trish Walker (Rachael Taylor) urges her to investigate the accident that claimed the lives of Jessica’s family. And while he isn’t seen in this trailer, we do know that David Tennant‘s Kilgrave will factor into the season. The entire city knows that Jessica killed Kilgrave, and it’s made her a hero to some. But it appears that Kilgrave may have left a few things behind for Jessica, including a piece of artwork that appears to be similar to one of the Alias/Jessica Jones covers published by Marvel.

Within Marvel’s comic book universe, Kilgrave has managed to cheat death more than once. It’s possible that it could happen in the Marvel Netflix universe as well. If not, then Jessica may have a new big bad to contend with this season. But it’s currently unclear who she’ll be going up against, aside from the usual demon in a bottle.

Netflix will premiere all 13 episodes of Jessica Jones season 2 on Friday, March 8, 2018.

Are you excited about the return of Jessica Jones? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: Netflix/Marvel TV

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Playstation VR’s RICK AND MORTY: VIRTUAL RICK-ALITY Gets a Squanchy Trailer

Ooooo weee, there’s good news fellow Rick and Morty fans. If you’re worried about how long we might have to wait for season four, at least next year we’re definitely getting a whole new way to explore the infinite universes with a virtual reality game based on the show. And — wubba lubba dub dub — the first trailer for the game promises we’ll be able to experience what it’s like to go on a wild adventure ourselves. And also what it’s like to clean up the garage!

It’s Virtual Reality Rick and Morty ! They turned the show into the hottest video game trend!

Playstation VR has released a trailer for their Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality game they announced earlier this year, and in it a confused Morty sits on the couch with Rick watching a not-very-specific promo for the game. It will let users “experience life as a clone of Morty and all the trauma that comes with it,” and that includes letting players shoot Gromflomites, throw stuff, uh…do some laundry, and other…aw geez…uh…very fun things!

Only Rick and Morty could get us excited for a game by showing us a trailer where no one has any idea what the hell is going on. But that’s exactly the kind of adventure we want to go on, especially when it will ease the wait until the next season.

Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality will portal into Playstation VR in 2018.

Which universe or planet from the show would you most like to experience yourself? Which character would you most like to meet? Give your squanchy thoughts in the comments below.

Featured Image: Playstation

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Cakeworthy’s DISNEY Inspired Products Are Worthy of Walt

We all have a Disney fanatic in our lives: the person who lives and breathes all things Mickey Mouse and never turns down a visit to one of the Disney theme parks. These dedicated fans usually have it all, but if you’re wondering where to get a unique Disney gift for for that hardcore fan or yourself, Cakeworthy has you covered. They have a ton of cool “House of Mouse” inspired items for the Disney devotee in your life.

What’s so cool about this particular collection? For starters, there’s several nifty flannel shirts with quotes and designs from classic animated Disney fare ranging from Walt’s original animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to The Little Mermaid, to Toy Story. There are also several unique t-shirts, including one featuring an ’80s style take on Winnie the Pooh and another highlighting the lovable alien spaz Stitch doing his very best Elvis impersonation.

If all that wasn’t enough, there’s a Mickey Mouse pizza purse (because why not?), and a tote featuring one very exasperated Cinderella, who has just about had it with that wicked stepmother and her stepsisters ruining her flow. There are hats based on Peter Pan, Aladdin, and of course, some with Mickey ears attached. Didn’t think they’d forget those, did you?

And finally, and maybe coolest of all, there’s a “vampire Mickey” hoodie and t-shirt. The last two are currently sold out, but we hope they’ll pop up again online before too long. Mostly because we would really like one.

You can check out some of the cooler items below in our gallery, and for the rest of the collection, be sure to head over to Cakeworthy.

What do you think of these cool Disney inspired products? And do you want that vampire Mickey hoodie as much as we do? Be sure to let us know in the comments.

Images: Cakeworthy, Disney

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Animated SPIDER-MAN Trailer Sends Miles Morales INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE

Less than a decade after his first appearance in the comics, Miles Morales is set to make his big screen debut next year in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Sony’s upcoming animated film will apparently follow Miles’ journey after he becomes the new Spider-Man in the wake of Peter Parker‘s death. But as you can see in the first trailer for the film, Miles won’t be the only Spider-Man in the film. And there may still be many Peter Parkers for him to meet in the Spider-Verse.

Within Marvel’s comic book muliverse, Spider-Verse was a storyline that brought together the Spider-Men of many different worlds. And while there were many variations of Peter, Miles was unique. Like Peter, Miles was bitten by an experimental spider. They have many of the same powers, but Miles also has the abilities to camouflage himself and fire devastating venom blasts at his opponents.

The LEGO Movie directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are executive producing Into the Spider-Verse, with co-directors  Peter Ramsey and Bob Persichetti bringing Lord’s script to the screen. Shameik Moore is providing the voice of Miles Morales, and Liev Schreiber has been cast as the villain. The majority of the roles are still under wraps, but given the implications of the title, it may include several Peter Parkers and perhaps even Spider-Gwen, the alternate Gwen Stacy who has powers of her own.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will be released around Christmas 2018.

What did you think about the first look at Miles Morales’ new movie? Spin a web in the comment section below!

Images: Sony Pictures

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Mark Hamill and Stephen Colbert Perform “Missing” STAR WARS Cantina Scene

We all remember the profound sense of wonder and nostalgia we felt upon seeing Luke Skywalker again two years ago, in pale robes and with a gray beard, ready to end the newest Star Wars movie on a really annoying cliffhanger. Now, prepare to feel something totally different as Mark Hamill dons the original white Luke Skywalker costume to re-enter Chalmun’s Cantina in Mos Eisley, only to be intercepted at the door by Stephen Colbert.

The in-jokes are strong with this one, as Colbert is one of the few celebrities nerdy enough to make a Doikk Na’ts reference. But Hamill gets in on the fun in a big way, busting out an Alec Guinness impersonation he must have had in the works for 40 years now, and giving a more dramatic re-reading of his infamous “Tosche Station” line.

Of course, if this were supposed to be in actual continuity, as Luke’s fleeing from First Order troops suggests, he wouldn’t be so cavalier about the name “Starkiller,” which was his own surname in original George Lucas drafts of the screenplay, but has since been co-opted as the name of the mega Death Star planet from The Force Awakens. In the meantime it was also the name of Darth Vader’s apprentice in a video game, but that was apparently lost in the Great Disney Continuity Erasure.

He’s right about some of the sillier prequel names, though. “Dooku” was always the least terrifying bad guy name ever, unless you count Elan Sleazebaggano as a legit bad guy rather than an enterprising, self-starting tobacco entrepreneur with poor judgment. (“Death sticks” is just a bad marketing name for your product, when “stress relieving sticks” would probably garner way more interest.)

Would you buy an action figure of Old Luke in Young Luke’s clothes? How about Colbert? Let us know in comments.

Image: CBS

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THE LAST JEDI Cast Mostly Hates Porgs

Porgs. Even if you’re not keeping closing tabs on promotional material for The Last Jedi, you probably haven’t escaped the spread of the porgs. The puffin-like creatures that call Ahch-To home were first shown in a behind-the-scenes reel at D23 Expo. Since then, well, they’re everywhere. Not everyone is a fan. We asked Rian Johnson and the cast of the upcoming Star Wars about their thoughts on porgs, and less of them are on board with the porg craze than you might think.

I’m holding on to hope that Gwendoline Christie and Andy Serkis are just staying in character for their strong anti-porg opinions. I can’t imagine Captain Phasma or Supreme Leader Snoke being fans. I’m surprised by John Boyega‘s take and delighted by Laura Dern‘s reaction. Kelly Marie Tran’s opinion is no shock, because she made her own porg costume for Halloween.

As for Rian Johnson. Well, he teased he was contractually obligated to like them, but he knew what he was getting into by adding a cute creature to The Last Jedi. “I absolutely, though, understand Star Wars fans and, you know, I’m one of them, I understand being suspicious of anything that’s too adorable in Star Wars,” said Johnson. “So, I get it but I think porgs have their proper place in this movie.”

What are your thoughts on porgs? Adorable? Just the right size for a healthy dinner? Share your opinions with us in the comments.

Images: Lucasfilm/Disney

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Wireless Pikachu Phone Charger! We Choose You!

Who needs the electric company when you’ve got a trusty Pikachu by your side to charge everything around the house? It seems unlikely that the world would morph into the gym badge-obsessed “gotta catch em’ all” society we see in the series if Pokémon were real. We doubt questing around the world for the sake of magical dog-fights would really catch on but owning Pokémon would still be super useful because we’d save a ton on utilities.

This adorable Pikachu wireless induction charger was brought to our attention via a recent post on The Verge and we’re definitely including it on our holiday wishlists. The electric-type Pokémon, available through GameStop for $49.99, awaits your compatible iPhone or Android device and its cheeks will even glow during charging.  In addition to the induction platform you can also charge other devices with its three USB ports. The pictures available on the site don’t entirely show where they are but we wouldn’t rule out spontaneous Pokémon evolution in order to accommodate.

Now that our phone’s batteries are taken care of in such a perfect way, we just need to figure out some appropriate products for some other classic Pokémon. Maybe a garlic caddy that looks like Bulbasaur? Charmander lighters? Ooh! Brita pitcher in the shape of Squirtle!

Will you be getting this Pikachu charger? What other Poké-products would you want to see for sale? Did you have an equally tough time coming to grips with the fact that most people would most definitely use Pokémon for their abilities like some sort of anime Flintstones? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

Images: Gamestop, Teknofun

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JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is a Completely Different Beast (Review)

There are a lot of reasons a reboot of Jumanji shouldn’t work, from the first one being 20 years old and not really demanding the same name recognition as before, to the fact that a change in tone might alienate everyone. And yet, somehow, despite everything, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is mostly a lot of fun. It works for what it is precisely because it doesn’t try to do the same exact thing as the Robin Williams movie, and it takes its new central premise down all the avenues you expect it might, while never stretching it too thin.

You’ve no doubt seen a trailer and gathered the basic plot: four high schoolers end up in detention for different reasons, find an old video game machine with a cartridge called Jumanji, hook it up, and get sucked into the game. Each of them has picked an avatar based on name alone and each ends up being the opposite of what they are in real life. Geeky, afraid of everything Spencer (Alex Wolff) becomes beefy adventurer Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson); bookwormy, unsure of herself Martha (Morgan Turner) becomes sexy ass-kicker Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan); popular jock Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) becomes diminutive weapon-carrier Moose Finbar (Kevin Hart); and conceited hot girl Bethany (Madison Iseman) becomes overweight, middle-aged male scientist Dr. Shelly Oberon (Jack Black). Together they have to beat the game using their particular in-game skills while avoiding evil mercenaries and dangerous jungle animals.

It’s amazing to me how much mileage director Jake Kasdan and team of writers get out of this premise. A body-swap comedy in the guise of an action-adventure movie is sort of genius—especially when you have a cast of talented comedic actors playing high-schoolers suddenly thrust into new bodies. They’re all quite funny, but the two standouts have to be Black doing a spot-on portrayal of a teenage girl and Gillan being awkward and goofy while looking like a red-haired Lara Croft. After a while, in the case of all of them, you forget that they’re big movie stars and we just see the characters inside, which is quite commendable.

The actual plot of the movie, and following the game’s structure from level to level, is fairly anemic and the villain (played by Bobby Cannavale) might just as well have been a lion with a twisty moustache for as much character development as he has. For the most part, though, the actual mechanics of the game are secondary to how the characters react to them. They each have three “lives” within the game and sometimes their deaths are incredibly funny; several times they run in to NPCs who are only programmed to say certain things and so there’s humor to be mined there. And if you thought you WOULDN’T get all the jokes possible about a teen girl figuring out the way men pee, you are incorrect.

I would say, for as enjoyable as most of the movie is, it doesn’t have the same level of escalating dread as the 1995 Jumanji did. With each roll of the dice, a new problem arose for our characters to deal with immediately, and that would remain a condition for the rest of the movie. Here there’s no real sense of turns or escalation, and with a couple of exceptions, the levels don’t amount to too much.

Those quibbles aside, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is the perfect, light holiday family movie. You eat some popcorn, have some laughs, and go back to your own jungle.

3 out of 5 Burritos

Images: Sony

Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Twitter!

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