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Keanu Reeves Meeting His Hero Sonny Chiba is Heartwarming AF

Keanu Reeves has been in some dope-ass action movies, including three out-and-out masterpieces, Speed, The Matrix, and John Wick, but he’s also a huge geek about martial arts films. Look at his directorial debut, 2013’s Man of Tai Chi, and you can plainly see someone who not only has devotion and reverence to martial arts, but to the tradition of martial arts movies that go way, way back. And just like most any of us, he has heroes in the industry he looked up to. A clip has surfaced showing Reeves meeting one of his heroes and it is endlessly endearing.

because we need cleanse our TL from a hellish year here's Keanu Reeves meeting his hero Sonny Chiba on Japanese TV, watch them fangirl over each other #pure pic.twitter.com/EM42Ym794y

— loki's black suit

DMX’s “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer” is the Christmas Song We Always Needed

There are certain things we always associate with this time of year: Santa Claus, decorating the tree, wrapping presents, baking cookies, and singing classic Christmas songs. But you know who we never think about during the holiday season? Rapper DMX. No offense to him, he’s just not a staple on our Christmas playlist. Until now, that is, because his new version of “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer” is equal parts awesome and absurd.

We first heard this official studio cover of the traditional Christmas noel at Vice, and it is part of Spotify’s Singles: Holiday playlist. The rest of the collection includes tracks from musicians you might expect to record a Christmas song, like Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, and Sam Smith. But we’re all about this contribution from DMX, which somehow comes across as entirely sincere while simultaneously being a parody of itself. Whatever you imagine this sounds like is exactly what it sounds like, and we mean that in the best way.

We’re going to need a special Deadpool Christmas short featuring this song immediately.

DMX must really love Rudolph too, because this actually isn’t the first time he’s sung this tune. He first performed it four years ago to prove he knew the lyrics.

Remember that scene in Pitch Perfect 2 where Snoop Dogg wants to record his own Christmas album? This is even better. So why stop with “Rudolph?” DMX should make his own full holiday album, especially now that he’s going to be an annual part of our Christmas playlist.

What Christmas song would you most want DMX to cover? We want to hear your best suggestion in the comments below.

Need More Musical Moments?

Evil Morty’s theme song gets a classical cover!
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And finally, Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie playlist is too good.

Featured Image: DMXVEVO

DEADPOOL 2’s Teaser Trailer is Dirtier in Fan-Made, LEGO Form

Earlier this month, Deadpool 2 surprised fans with a bizarre teaser trailer that spoofed the late Bob Ross‘ TV series, The Joy of Painting, before offering a brief and tantalizing glimpse at the first footage from the sequel. We’re really enamored by the unconventionally hilarious marketing campaign behind both Deadpool movies, but this doesn’t mean that fans can’t get in on the fun, too. Now, Huxley Berg Studios has recreated the Deadpool 2 teaser trailer entirely in LEGO, complete with a LEGO version of the film’s first poster.

Oddly enough, the LEGO parody seems even dirtier when its Deadpool “whacks off” his paint brush, probably because the blocky brush has a much more phallic shape. And there is something really funny about seeing Bob Ross’ iconic hair in LEGO form. Even the paintings themselves are crude creations that look like they could have been made by a LEGO figure that doesn’t have fully functional hands.

During the montage at the end, LEGO Negasonic Teenage Warhead somehow finds a way to extend her middle finger even though she doesn’t have fingers. Now that’s talent! From there, many familiar faces from the first film also get LEGO makeovers. And the cameo of Cable and his mechanical hand is once again saved for the post-credits tease.

Additionally, there is also a side-by-side version of the teaser trailer, if you want to compare them.

You can find more LEGO videos by Huxley Berg Studios on their YouTube Channel.

What did you think about this LEGO Deadpool 2 teaser? Say something off the fourth wall in the comment section below!

NEED MORE DEADPOOL?

Deadpool 2 may be setting up a Cable cult.
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Will Deadpool 2 introduce Cable’s evil clone Stryfe?

Images: Huxley Berg Studios

There’s a Secret Theme Bar for Nintendo Creators Somewhere in Japan

It’s been over three decades since Nintendo redefined the home console market and carved out its place in video game history. And for years, the creators behind many of Nintendo’s biggest game series have had their own place to relax and drink. It’s called 84, and it’s one of the most exclusive bars in Japan. Ordinary Nintendo fans can’t simply visit 84, but it is very real, and even its location is largely a secret. But a new report at Tofugu has offered gamers a rare glimpse into the gaming bar of their dreams.

Tofugu’s detailed story introduces fans to Hashimoto, the man who founded 84. Hashimoto’s friends call him Chōkan (Chief), and the walls of his establishment are adorned with a collection of artwork that would be the envy of any Nintendo fan. The signed illustration of Mario by Shigeru Miyamoto was one of the highlights, but far from the only one. Rockman/Mega Man creator, Keiji Inafune, Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai, and more have also contributed to 84’s walls.

via GIPHY

According to Chōkan, only half of his regular customers hail from the video game industry. The rest of his exclusive customers are “comedians, musicians, manga artists, [and] pro-wrestlers.” Fans and drinkers who don’t fall into any of those categories can still get into 84, but only if they are accompanied by a member as their guest. So it’s not an impossibility, it’s just not easy.

To fully appreciate what Chōkan has created, you should absolutely read the full story at Tofugu; which also has exclusive photos of the artwork mentioned above. We may never get to visit 84 in person, but that report is the next best thing.

Are you enticed by the existence of 84? Pour out a drink and share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Images: Nintendo

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Guillermo del Toro Turned Down the UNIVERSAL MONSTERS Universe

With every new revelation at the projects visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro COULD have made but didn’t, a new poison-tipped arrow gets shot into our movie-loving hearts. From At the Mountains of Madness to Justice League Dark to The Haunted Mansion (and, oh yeah, The Hobbit), we still marvel at what our alternate universe Blu-ray shelves might have looked like if things had gone a different way. But according to a new interview with The New York Times, del Toro admits that, out of all the projects he’s turned down, the one he now regrets is helming the Universal Monsters universe.

Del Toro has always maintained that saying “no” to offers is a way for a filmmaker working within the studios to keep some modicum of power over their own work. In the past, he’d been offered things like Thor, I Am Legend, and Man of Steel, and he even turned down Pacific Rim Uprising, a sequel to his own damn movie, in order to make The Shape of Water (which, honestly, good call). Still, in 2007, he was offered the reins to Universal’s entire classic monsters range and he wishes he’d said yes.

I’ve said no to things that are enormous and I’ve never looked back, you know? The only time I repent I didn’t do something was in 2007, when Universal in an incredibly gentle and beautiful manner said do you want to take over the Monster Universe? And they gave me the reins of several properties, and I didn’t do it. That I repent. So this is a confessional moment, I repent. That’s the only thing.

After the utter botchery of Universal’s Dark Universe–started and ended with this summer’s snooze The Mummy (my review)–we were incredibly bummed, since classic Gothic monster movies could have been excellent. But the notion of these movies coming from Mr. Monster himself, and the fact that we could have had them 10 years ago, AND the fact that we didn’t and won’t get them, is almost too much to take.

Del Toro’s cinema has always had an affinity for the monster in movies like Cronos, The Devil’s Backbone, and Hellboy, and The Shape of Water is maybe the apex of this ideal. As much as we love del Toro’s original ideas, seeing him tackle Frankenstein or The Creature from the Black Lagoon would have been, to quote an emoji, *Pizza Chef*.

But alack and alas. Here’s to what might have been.

Images: Fox Searchlight/Criterion/Universal

Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist. He is the writer of 200 reviews of weird or obscure genre films in Schlock & Awe. Follow him on Twitter!

Get hyped on the latest news!

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Scientists Say Glitter Poses Major Environmental Hazard, Call for Global Ban

“All that glitters is not gold,” including actual glitter. But that’s not because the annoying shiny stuff is impossible to ever clean up, it poses a serious environmental hazard to our oceans and sea life. That’s why some scientists are calling for a global ban of it, especially in cosmetic products.

Environmental anthropologist Dr. Trisia Farrelly told The Independent that glitter can cause harm to our oceans because it’s a type of microplastic, which are especially destructive as they accumulate in the world’s bodies of water. The National Ocean Service says “plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our ocean and Great Lakes,” and defines microplastics as any plastics that “are less than five millimeters in length.” That why it’s easier for them to make their way through drains, ultimately resulting in their consumption by fish and other sea animals. Most glitter is made of aluminum and a type of plastic that releases a harmful chemical to both fish (and therefore humans who might eat those fish that microplastics aggregate in) when it breaks down.

Environmental hazard is why microbeads, another type of microplastic, were banned from cosmetics and personal care products in the U.S. in 2015, and why a similar law will go into effect in the UK next year. But scientists say glitter should be the next microplastic to go, because their prevalence in numerous items, including many cosmetics that end up being washed away, are potentially just as bad.

Although this doesn’t have to be the end for glitter entirely, because instead of plastic it could be made from a biodegradable material. Not only would that be great for the environment, it would mean that stupid little speck we can’t get rid of on our face would eventually disappear. That would be a golden solution to all our glitter problems.

What do you think? Should glitter be banned entirely? What about just from cosmetics? Share your thoughts in our comments section below.

Featured Image: An Knook

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Nerdist Comics Panel #127: Marc Bernardin Part 1

Heath Corson (Justice League Action) deep dives into the secret origin of Marc Bernardin (Castle Rock, Fatman on Batman) as they chart the bon vivant’s ascent from journalist to comic book writer to television writer to podcast royalty.  Part One of Two.

Follow @BenBlacker and @HeathCorson on Twitter!

Cashing In with T.J. Miller #182: Swimming Uptown

Cash and T.J. talk about musicals, the Meisner technique, Goodwill,  Charles Barkley,  flannel pants. Dustin Hoffman, Robert Deniro, Mackey Sasser, Bread, Bette Midler, booing, fame,  humpday, Dwarf Banderstomp, fire hazards, and ask the question,”Why is it always Tuesday at TGI Fridays?”

 

This episode was fashioned together at Michaels, listen while making a scrapbook….

 

Follow @CashLevy and @nottjmiller on Twitter!

Does a Zack Snyder Cut of JUSTICE LEAGUE Even Exist?

Zack Snyder fans are petitioning Warner Bros. to release his cut of Justice League, but does another version of the movie even exist? On today’s Nerdist News Talks Back we discussed if fans are demanding to see an imaginary movie, along with what to expect from tomorrow’s Infinity War trailer, and a roundup of big casting news for famous mutants, witches, and a certain doctor of doom.

Bizarre States‘ Andrew Bowser, producer Jason Nguyen, and Nerdist News writer Aliza Pearl joined host Jessica Chobot on today’s show, and they started with the petition from some DC fans for the release of the Zack Snyder cut of Justice League. One problem though is that it might not exist, after a VFX artist who worked on the film said Snyder hasn’t touched the movie since March. But is there any chance his version exists somewhere? Would we want to see it? Why do we think fans are so adamant about getting his “cut?” And in this era with so many editions of the same film, how do we decide which one the definitive version?

Today Marvel also gave us a spoiler-free teaser for tomorrow’s long-awaited release of its Infinity War trailer. Today’s tease featured past instances of fans being excited over the upcoming release of other MCU trailers. (:insert the Inception “BRAHM.”) Is this peak teaser-teasing? But when we actually do get the trailer tomorrow, how many of the movie’s numerous characters do we expect to see in it? And are we more excited see it or Thursday night’s Jurassic World 2: Fallen Kingdom trailer?

Thank you to the best fans in the universe! Avengers #InfinityWar trailer tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/TO8EzCf95m

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) November 28, 2017

There’s also lots of casting news from Hollywood, so we rounded them all up including what to make of Fox’s decision to go with a hard “R” rating for James Franco’s Multiple Man mutant film, Selena Gomez possibly joining Riverdale as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Ben Mendelsohn’s desire to play Doctor Doom in a Fantastic Four movie.

Finally, today on Twitter we got word from MTV that an infamous show will finally get a followup. So what’s the “sitch” with this Jersey Shore revival? Did we enjoy the original, which some might say defined a generation? And what elements of the original show do we expect to show up in this reunion?

Remember Nerdist News Talks Back airs live every weekday at 1:00 p.m. PT on our YouTube and Alpha channels, so make sure you tune in with us so you can be a part of the conversation. But please don’t ask about the Zack Snyder cut of the show. We swear it doesn’t exist…and if it did it would be much darker and less fun.

We still want to here from you though, so share your thoughts on today’s topics in our comments section below.

Images: Warner Bros. Creative Talent, Warner Bros., Lucasfilm

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CARTOONER Tabletop Game Casts Players as Comic Book Artists

Have you ever wanted to become a comic book artist? Even for fans gifted with artistic talent, that’s not the easiest road to go down. However, there’s a new tabletop game called Cartooner, which puts players in the role of comic book creators as they frantically create their own title while chasing the ever-elusive fame and recognition of the industry. While the game may be easier to play for artists, the following video demonstrates why anyone can play Cartooner regardless of how well they can draw.

Cartooner: A Game of Drawing Comics was designed by Jason Bradley Thompson and Jumana Al Hashal, with illustrations by Konstantin Pogorelov. It’s the spiritual sequel to Japanime Games’ Mangaka: The Fast & Furious Game of Drawing Comics, with some changes made to the gameplay for this title. Essentially, the game takes place over five rounds, as players write and draw a four-page comic within a very fast time frame. Each comic is conceived from three randomly created theme cards, before trend cards invite the creators to pile on additional elements no matter how crazy or nonsensical. The game’s point system is based on the “fame” acquired by the players, which is judged by how many trends and themes they were able to execute. The art doesn’t have to be perfect, and even stick figures can be used to win.

A Kickstarter campaign for Cartooner is currently underway, and it will run until December 18. A $40 pledge will give backers a copy of the game, while higher pledges offer cameo appearances within the game, custom comic book stories, and the chance to create topic and theme cards for the finished version.

What do you think about the concept behind Cartooner? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!

Images: Japanime Games

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