Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1906

Chris Hemsworth Responds to Jack Black’s THOR: RAGNAROK Battle of the Jams Challenge

Thor: Ragnarok has been winning the hearts of fans everywhere, and the reviews and box office are proof of that. From the comedic direction of Taika Waititi to an awesome soundtrack, the movie seems to be hitting all the right notes with everyone. Well, almost everyone. Jack Black (famous actor or Tenacious D member, depending on which circles you follow him in) has taken exception to the movie’s use of Led Zeppelin‘s “Immigrant Song.” Black is claiming that the filmmakers blatantly stole from him when he used the song in the 2003 film School of Rock. Rather than take things sitting down, Black decided to issue the following challenge via Waititi’s Twitter:

RP #jackblack: This is a challenge! #SchoolofRagnarok.

Also @chrishemsworth he distinctly said THOR so I guess it’s on you bro. pic.twitter.com/bbSJUdqLGH

— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) November 11, 2017

Being the good director he is, Taika made sure the message got to the right person. After all, Black did address Thor personally. Not one to back down from any challenge, the God of Thunder himself, Chris Hemsworth took to his Instagram to answer:

in response to @jackblack #schoolofragnarock #jam @taikawaititi @marvel #thorragnarok

A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) on Nov 11, 2017 at 4:54pm PST

So, confusion as to what a “jam” actually is aside, it looks like we have a battle on our hands, folks. While the time and place have yet to be determined (I think Conan O’Brien would be the perfect judge/mediator for something of this magnitude), what’s certain is that this will be a Rock War for the ages. Well, maybe not the ages, but it will definitely be hilarious, especially if they come in their character costumes.

What do you think? Who will reign victorious? The Thunder God or the Rock God? Let me know on Twitter @donnielederer or sound off in the comments below.

Images: Marvel/Paramount

Keeping rocking with more Thor: Ragnarok stories!

A hella good Hela Hot Toys figures.
Thor: Ragnarok easter eggs you missed.
Breaking down everything from Ragnarok.

What Would You Do If Your Loved One Turned Into a Dog?

What would you do if one day, you woke up and discovered that someone you love had transformed into a dog? Not like some sort of Animorphs-style affair; rather, they had adopted the psyche, mannerisms, and behavior of man’s best friend. Such is the core question behind writer-director-star Marianna Palka’s Bitch, which is in theaters now.

Since it made its auspicious debut at the Sundance Film Festival, Bitch has been one of the most memorable and hard-to-define films of 2017. While it comes across as a horror film at first blush, it deftly flits between being a thriller, a pitch-black comedy, and a work of feminist satire as its Kafka-esque story unfolds. Palka’s film is ostensibly about a long-suffering housewife who slowly turns into a dog, but there’s so much more than meets the eye. As Jill Hart, Palka devolves into human with the mind of a snarling, growling pooch, leaving her sleazebag husband Bill (Jason Ritter) to try–and fail–to maintain a sense of normalcy for him and their children. The results are wild, chaotic, frequently funny, and deeply disturbing.

While at the Sundance Film Festival, I sat down with the film’s stars–Marianna Palka, Jason Ritter, and Jaime King–to talk about bring this weird, wonderful film to life, what they hope audiences take away from it, and much more.

Bitch is in theaters now. Read our review and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image: SpectreVision

Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of books about Star Wars and the Avengers. Follow him on Twitter (@DanCasey).

The biggest movie news happening right now

Rian Johnson is creating a brand new trilogy of Star Wars movies for Disney.
Thor: Ragnarok highlights the struggle of superhero siblings.
The 7 greatest detective movies of all time.

ThinkGeek’s Feisty Pets Christmas Bear Brings Terror to the Holidays

It’s never too early for the holiday season to begin, and ThinkGeek is ready. As we begin the long march to December 25, they’ve revealed a new Christmas Bear from their Feisty Pets line. The bear’s name is Ebenezer Claws, and he comes with an adorable scarf and a Santa hat. And just like Santa, he knows when you’ve been sleeping…but that’s the problem. It may be hard to revisit dreamland once Ebenezer Claws bares his fangs.

According to ThinkGeek, Ebenezer Claws does come with a warning that he “may eat your Elf on the Shelf.” But as far as we’re concerned, the elf had it coming. This Christmas scare bear is allegedly suitable for children three and up, but it may be a bad idea to give Ebenezer to the very young children in your lives. While his default expression is pretty mellow, his darker half emerges when the back of his head is squeezed. But it could be like having your own Gremlin, if you don’t mind a little holiday terror.

Look at this promo photo for Ebenezer, which features the bear menacing a man with a Santa hat of his own.

Ebenezer Claws is currently available to order on ThinkGeek for $19.99.

What do you think about this ferocious Christmas bear? Break out your holiday claws and share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Images: ThinkGeek

Add more toys to your list!

A hella good Thor: Ragnarok Hela figure.
Cuddle Chewbacca thanks to Build-A-Bear.
Get nostalgic with Disney Afternoon action figures.

Artist Upcycles Books into HARRY POTTER and Other Beautiful Sculptures

Having to give away a book leaves us with an awful feeling in our gut. Whether it’s a story that meant something to us, a textbook that helped us learn, or even an instruction manual that we never really read–passing them on always feels terribly wasteful. And even though it’s sometimes got to be done, we’re glad this artist has found a way to give some old tomes some new homes with book sculptures featuring original art, Harry Potter inspiration, and more.

Artist Malena Valcarcel recently shared some of her art via a post on Bored Panda and we’re blown away by how she’s able cut, glue (we’re guessing), and sculpt the pages of books in order to transform them into tiny works of art.

There’s a certain beauty in being able to recycle or re-purpose something that’s no longer used and give it new life. This is especially true with Valcarcel’s work because the end result is something so darn skillfully crafted. She even seems to have a nerdy side, as you can see in this Where the Wild Things Are sculpture.

Or this Harry Potter one we mentioned earlier.

And while we’d be content to just endlessly stare at the gallery of her work on her Facebook page, Valcarcel has some of her pieces for sale at Etsy.

At first glance you might think the price tags are a bit high–with most larger book sculptures ranging in the hundreds of dollars and made-to-order ones over a thousand–but just think of the delicate and painstaking work that must go into each piece. Just know that if you stumble across a spare $1,317.37 in the couch cushions, you too can own a the Harry Potter one.

Which one of Valcarcel’s pieces do you like the best? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

Images: Malena Valcarcel

See more incredible fan-made creations!

Look at this amazing Freddie Mercury sculpt.
Intricate Game of Thrones pencil sculptures.
Sculptures that come alive thanks to math.

STAR TREK Khan Figure Plants the “Seed” of Kirk’s Destruction

In five decades of Star Trek stories, few villains have been able to approach the “superior intellect” of Khan Noonien Singh, a superhuman dictator from the late 20th century. In his original era, Khan ruled over one-quarter of the Earth’s population, and now Khan is coming to claim dominion over your toy shelves as well.

Quantum Mechanix has unveiled the next figure in its sixth scale Star Trek line, and it features an uncanny recreation of Ricardo Montalban‘s likeness as Khan during his single appearance in the original series episode “Space Seed.” Khan’s legend was largely created in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but it was “Space Seed” that established Khan as a more than worthy adversary for Captain James T. Kirk.

As you can see in the pictures, the details of Khan’s costume have been meticulously replicated for this 12 inch tall figure. Like the other figures in this Star Trek line, Khan has multiple points of articulation that will allow him to be posed in many different ways. QMX had some fun with those possibilities by recreating Khan’s classic battle with Kirk using their figures. Note that Khan and Kirk are not sold together, although we think that would make a great two-pack.

Among Khan’s accessories are multiple hands and a bent phaser, which can be used to demonstrate his immense strength. Visit the gallery below to see several more pictures of this Khan figure. QMX has Khaaaan available for pre-order for $149.95, and it is expected to begin shipping next month.

What do you think about this Star Trek figure? Somehow, we think you know which name to dramatically yell in the comment section below!

Images: QMX

Engage with more Star Trek stories!

ANOVOS’ Star Trek: Discovery phaser replica.
A perfect Captain Picard figure.
7 things Discovery needs to do in season two.

Christmas Cake Flavored Pepsi Is Coming to Japan

When it comes to exciting variations on sodas, the most enticing flavors tend to debut in Japan. In that country, Pepsi is particularly devoted to finding new ways to sell its product. And this year, soda lovers are in for a holiday treat, because Pepsi is about to debut its new Christmas Cola.

Via Kotaku, the Pepsi Christmas Cola is actually a cake-flavored soft drink. In Japan, one of the annual Christmas traditions is a strawberry sponge cake wrapped in whipped cream. That’s an idea that hasn’t really taken hold in the United States yet, but perhaps it should. According to Pepsi of Japan’s description, this Christmas themed creation will be a white cola that has a “sweet and tart” strawberry smell.

As noted above, this is far from the wildest flavor that Pepsi has presented to the Japanese market in years past. While American audiences tend to favor Pepsi’s ordinary flavors, the people of Japan can be harder to attract. The multiple flavors are part of an attempt to grab the attention of the Japanese consumers in the short term war for their devotion. But most of the soda flavors are only temporary additions to Pepsi’s lineup before they give way to something new.

Some of the previous Pepsi flavors found in Japan include Salty Watermelon, Caribbean Gold, Black Lemon, and Ice Cucumber, which don’t sound quite as tasty as the new Christmas cake flavored drink. If you happen to be traveling to Japan, you’ll be able to pick up the Pepsi Christmas Cola starting on November 21. Just make sure to bring back a few bottles for us. For research.

Would you try Pepsi’s new cake-flavored soda? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: Cooking With Dog/Suntory

Take a bite out of more weird food!

Sip on glitter cappuccinos.
See what Studio Ghibli food looks like IRL.
Check out some big dill pickle cupcakes.

The TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Join INJUSTICE 2

DC and NetherRealm released the trailer for the Injustice 2 final fighter pack Friday night and boy, was it a doozy. The trailer showed us the already announced Atom, as well as debuting the Enchantress. Rumors were plentiful as to who the final character was going to be. From Spawn, to Constantine, to Rorschach, it seemed everyone was on the table. Fans were in a state of “shellshock” (Yes. We went there. We’re not sorry about it) when it was revealed that the Injustice 2 fight would be taken into the sewers with not one, but four new characters thanks to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The trailer opens with Raiden and Black Manta being taken out, and a cigarette on the ground. The Atom and Enchantress make their entrances. As a cinematic fight ensues, it is stopped by a lone sai, owned of course by a trenchcoat-wearing Raphael, joined soon after by his three brothers.

This trailer is awesome because it shows off what Atom and Enchantress can do, but it doesn’t give away the big reveal until just the right moment. The cigarette at the beginning and Raph wearing his trenchcoat tease the possibility of both Constantine and Rorschach. Even the sai could be Mileena from Mortal Kombat. It’s not until the Turtles show up on the screen that you realize what’s happening.

The Atom will be available for play December 12, with Enchantress and TMNT following in January and February, respectively.

So what do you think? Which Turtle are you most excited about? Are there any DC heroes or villains you wish made the Injustice cut? Let me know on Twitter @donnielederer, or come out of your shell in the comments below.

Images: NetherRealm

Pick up a controller and play with these stories!

All the Super Mario 64 levels, ranked.
Find fantastic beasts with a Harry Potter AR game.
See a record-breaking World of Warcraft diorama.

9-Year Old Skateboarding Fairy Princess Straight-Up Shreds

There are days when everyone needs a little sunshine in their lives. Current events are sometimes too much to bare and we could all use some cheering up. Fortunately, you’re likely to have a big smile on your face once you see this nine-year old girl riding her skateboard like a champion.

In the video clip below, she pulls off several impressively technical skateboard tricks while rockin’ a fairy princess costume and living her best life.

Minhas favoritas nesse vídeo, No clima do Halloween pra não passar em branco, a fadinha voltou

A post shared by Rayssa Leal 9 Anos (@rayssalealsk8) on Nov 2, 2017 at 6:40pm PDT

This is Rayssa Leal, a young Brazilian girl who has been skateboarding since she was six years old. And as you can tell from these clips, she is immensely talented on the board. Some of that may come to her naturally, but she also practices for several hours each day. More than anything else, that drive has led her to capture over 100,000 followers on Instagram, where she posts new videos and pictures of her skateboarding tricks.

Two years ago, Leal gained international attention when she posted a video of herself attempting to pull off a heel flip. She failed on the first two tries before nailing it at the end, and even skateboarding legend Tony Hawk was impressed by what she had accomplished.

De hoje… Heel flip

Giant Wall of Lava Lamps Helps to Protect 10% of Internet Traffic (Seriously)

The lava lamp usually gets a bum rap as some kind of lowbrow psychedelic entertainment system for people who are too strung out to enjoy any stimulation of real substance. But the lazy loafing sources of light and blobs (endless blobs!) are most definitely a lot more than a way to keep somebody distracted while they’re coming down off a Kalaxian Crystal high. In fact, it turns out that a wall of lava lamps is a critical component of the encryption effort responsible for about 10% of internet traffic. It both inspires awe, and an urge to re-watch Half-Baked.

YouTuber and maker of things Tom Scott looked into the wall of internet-protecting lava lamps when he recently visited Cloudflare, Inc. in San Francisco. You may not have heard of Cloudflare, but the tech company (which is partly owned by Google, of course) is responsible for the protection of over six million websites, including many large, recognizable names like Uber, OKCupid, and Fitbit. It’s difficult to overstate the importance of Cloudflare’s security services, as websites without its protection can and do fall prey to DDoS (Denial of Service) attacks that render them defunct.

This means the wall of lava lamps, which is also known as the “Entropy Wall,” is supremely important for protecting internet traffic. But how exactly does it do that, you ask? It has nothing to do with spacing out and getting the munchies, and everything to do with creating randomness. As Scott notes in the video, creating genuine randomness is a crucial component of encryption, because if encryption keys, which are used to lock and unlock (encrypt and decrypt) private data sent between two or more parties are not truly random, they can be duplicated.

In order to create this randomness, Cloudflare has set up a camera to take pictures and video of the wall of lava lamps and turn it into a stream of random data, which is used to help create the encryption keys. “Every time that you take a picture with the camera… there’s going to be some noise,” says one of the Cloudflare employees in the video, “so it’s not only just where the bubbles are flowing through the lava lamp… every tiny change impacts the stream of data.” Which sounds super profound right? Or is that just the lava lamps talking?

What do you think about the fact that 10% of internet traffic relies on a wall of lava lamps for its encryption? Give us your thoughts below!

Images: Tom Scott

More in cool new tech!

The internet’s best reactions to the iPhone X announcement
Here’s how to fix that annoying iOS11 autocorrecting bug
This levitating home camera tracks your every move

How Should We Feel About JUSTICE LEAGUE After the First Reactions?

The first reactions to Justice League are in, and everyone seems to agree it was fun. After Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad disappointed, are these decent reviews enough to make us excited to see the latest offering from the DCEU? We discussed that on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back, along with the latest Deadpool 2 ad campaign, and what we hope to see from Rian Johnson‘s all new Skywalker-free Star Wars trilogy.

Guest host Steve Zaragoza from SourceFed was joined by Nerdist senior editor Dan Casey, producer Jesse Gill, and Bizarre States’ Andrew Bowser today, on the first day critics were able to share their thoughts on Justice League. So what are they saying, including Dan who has seen it?

#JusticeLeague was better than I expected. Uneven, messy, but fun. It was the first comic I fell in love with as a kid, so it was a genuine thrill to see them together on the big screen. Wonder Woman kicks ass, Flash steals the show, and Ciarán Hinds gives good villain voice. pic.twitter.com/Y9EMqF9pVZ

— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) November 10, 2017

#JusticeLeague is fine. It's more coherent & less idiosyncratic than Batman v Superman (which I loved, so make of that what you will), and tries very hard to lighten up on the gloom & doom of the DC universe. There are jokes and everything!

— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) November 10, 2017

#JusticeLeague is better than BvS and #SuicideSquad – it's lean, mean & packed w/ superhero action. I dug most of its lighter moments & I think it has one of the best action sequences ever in a DCEU movie. And of course Wonder Woman steals the show. pic.twitter.com/rW3UjpBUMk

— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) November 10, 2017

#JusticeLeague is good!

(And I can finally talk about it!)

Wonder Woman is wonderful, Aquaman is surprisingly cool, Flash is hilarious, Batman is drunk, the story is coherent, and it's all surprisingly funny. It's not perfect, but really enjoyable!

Full review to come! pic.twitter.com/YzgSL4FBOP

— Mike Rougeau (@RogueCheddar) November 10, 2017

Here it goes … #JusticeLeague is super thin and has some very weak CG but it’s got heart and a positive vibe that works. Overall, I had a pretty good time and am looking forward to seeing more of these characters.

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) November 10, 2017

#JusticeLeague is solid entertainment despite some problems. They pulled off a strange alchemy that works better than it should. The story is lacking, but the League is great and it’s a blast to watch them in action together. Wonder Woman is clutch, obvi.

— Haleigh Foutch (@HaleighFoutch) November 10, 2017

So maybe the movie isn’t excellent, but it sounds a lot better than the first few non-Wonder Woman entries from the DCEU. Are these reviews enough to get us excited for the film? And what do we hope to see from these characters in the future?

But even before they got to DC’s superhero team, the panel discussed the latest from the Deadpool 2 ad campaign, which features the Merc with a Mouth on the cover of Good Housekeeping. Is this so strange it’s perfect? And should Good Housekeeping expect a bunch of new teenage subscribers because of it?

And of course we had to discuss the huge news that The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson will develop an all new Star Wars trilogy that has nothing to do with the Skywalkers. Is this a great idea, or will it be weird not to have that family involved? Is this too much trust for Disney to give Johnson before anyone sees The Last Jedi? Will they really be using a blank canvas from the galaxy far, far away, or will they somehow end up tying it into the saga we know? What about using the EU and other properties and characters fans already know? Is that better than something entirely new, and if so which ones would we love to see? And with Johnson only set to direct the first one, what other directors should helm the other two?

Don’t forget to join in on the conversation with us when Nerdist News Talks Back airs live every weekday at 1:00 p.m. PT on our YouTube and Alpha channels. We want to hear from you about today’s show, so talk back to us in the comments below.

Images: Warner Bros., Good Housekeeping, Lucasfilm