Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 2389

Stream Aphex Twin’s Excellent New CHEETAH EP

In our march toward Aphex Twin’s new Cheetah EP, we’ve already been gifted the producer’s first official music video in 17 years (it was made by a 12-year-old) and a vintage-looking press release that appeared to be advertising some kind of electronic instrument. Over the weekend, the new EP was premiered in its entirety for the first time on BBC Music 6, as Pitchfork reports. Stream it at the 1:00:10 mark.

Cheetah is quintessential Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin). It’s a unique electronic style that’s stayed in vogue since his Selected Ambient Works hit the airwaves back in the early ‘90s. Active despite its ambient underpinnings, Cheetah is defined by its blips and bumps, which leave the soundscapes slightly askew with just a dash of sleaze. Like everything James has done, the new EP is unencumbered and unbeholden to anyone or anything but his own mountains of hardware.

Esoteric track names, as per usual, identify his analog processes on a seven-track EP that includes both eight-minute epics and 30-second snippets of sound. Cheetah is distinctly Aphex Twin, and that’s all that we could ever ask for. (Listen as host Tom Robinson shares listeners’ immediate reactions between tracks, which range from thoughtful analyses to mindblown nonsense.)

Cheetah follows the Syro full-length and AT’s two recent EPs, Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2 and Orphaned Deejay Selek (2006-2008). The record officially arrives this Friday via Warp, but it will be available for streaming on BBC 6 all month. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments. Full tracklist below:

Cheetah EP

01. CHEETAHT2 [Ld spectrum]

02. CHEETAHT7b

03. CHEETA1b ms800

04. CHEETA2 ms800

05. CIRKLON3 [ Колхозная mix ]

06. CIRKLON 1

07. 2X202-ST5

IMAGE: Warp

Ralph McQuarrie’s Chewbacca Got Busted for a Comic-Con Exclusive

If you’re a diehard Star Wars fan, chances are it’s one of your lifelong dreams to hug Chewbacca. Heck, on the set of The Force Awakens, at least one Wookiee costume got worn out because of all the hugs the younger cast and crew members wanted to give ol’ Chewie. But would he have been quite so huggable if he’d looked like the original design?

Ralph McQuarrie‘s Chewbacca looks like some sort of hellbeast, with those yellow eyes and bared fangs–it’s hard to imagine old Obi-Wan would have warmed to this guy quite so quickly in Mos Eisley. But while you can see why George Lucas toned him down to be more dog-like, a lot of elements from the original eventually made it elsewhere. The triangular mouth is reminiscent of Vader, and the pointy ears and rocky brow bring Yoda to mind. More significantly, though, Zeb from Star Wars Rebels is pretty clearly just a slight reworking of the prototype’s overall look, big gun included.

Gentle Giant has now immortalized this historical design in hand-painted polystone as a Comic-Con exclusive for this year. With a limited run of 400 and a price of $120, the 6.5″ by 7″ by 5″ bust is likely to go fast, as McQuarrie designs often do; Gentle Giant Premiere Guild members, however, may preorder now (not a Guild member and want to be? You can still make that happen, too). While most Gentle Giant busts are based on laser scans of the actor and props in question, this Chewie never made it past the drawing board, so the company’s digital sculptors got to craft every detail themselves, based on the classic reference material (check out said details in our gallery below). Each one comes individually numbered, with a certificate of authenticity. (Laughing mom not included–the degree to which your maternal unit may be amused cannot be accurately gauged in advance.)

Will this bust be a boom for your collection? Tell us what you think in comments!

Images: Gentle Giant

Stanley Kubrick’s Daughter to Moon Landing Truthers: No, Duh

Conspiracy theories existed long before the internet, but the web certainly amplifies them. Despite the fact that we have access to more information than at any other time in human history, we have myriad supposed plots and schemes that live and thrive on the internet, impervious to facts. One such conspiracy theory that predated the web and then exploded on it is the theory that legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick helped NASA fake the Moon landing footage the world saw on July 20th, 1969.

In light of almost five decades of evidence to the contrary and NASA’s recent successful mission to put the JUNO spacecraft around Jupiter, Stanley Kubrick’s daughter today took to Twitter to settle the matter once and for all. You can read her statement in full below:

Re: Faked Moon Landings
Many people have asked me about this. And this feels like the right time to respond … pic.twitter.com/UVlNFofFW8

— Vivian Kubrick (@ViKu1111) July 5, 2016

Though Ms. Kubrick doesn’t say that all conspiracy theories are bogus, she makes a good point. A monolithic artist like Mr. Kubrick probably wouldn’t have thought it fine to dupe an entire planet. Kubrick, in all of his films and in 2001: A Space Odyssey especially, was dedicated to accuracy and precision. To compromise all of this during the filming of his most iconic film and then not tell a soul for decades defies belief.

Ms. Kubrick’s testimony isn’t the only reason we know people have compacted lunar regolith under the most expensive boots anyone has ever worn of course. The filmmaker was to release 2001 just a year before the moon landing, and so no one really knew how the lunar surface looked in person. That’s why the lunar surface in the film looks different than in NASA footage — he had to guess. Beyond this, nearly every moon landing conspiracy claim has been thoroughly debunked, from “multiple light sources” to “wind” blowing the American flag. Still, Ms. Kubrick’s words are a reminder that her father was a consummate artist, and outright fakery wasn’t his style, literally.

Are you convinced, or do you think the MythBusters missed something? (You know Buzz Aldrin will punch you in the face right?) Let us know in the comments below.

Images: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

BIG HERO 6’s Honest Trailer Will Leave You Satisfied With Your Care

Before 2014, very few fans were even aware of Marvel’s Big Hero 6, a lesser known superhero team that debuted in 1998 which made very infrequent appearances afterwards. But once Disney purchased Marvel in 2009, Big Hero 6 had the distinction of being the first collaboration between the two companies in the animated realm. It’s also the subject of this week’s episode of Honest Trailers!

Big Hero 6 was a huge success for Disney, but the studio made so many changes that the characters barely resemble their comic book counterparts. Still, not even Honest Trailers can argue that the changes didn’t work. And strangely enough, Big Hero 6 has a lot in common with the Marvel Studios movies, as gleefully pointed out in this video. It even has the pre-requisite Stan Lee cameo that comes with nearly all of Marvel’s live-action films!

Whatever Big Hero 6 lacks in originality, it makes up for with heart…and hugs. So many hugs, that even an uncorrupted Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (from Pixar’s Toy Story 3) would have trouble keeping up with them! But you know that the HT team is nit-picking when they have to rely on a montage of hugs from a movie.

That said, HT’s description of Big Hero 6 as a reverse Terminator 2 was very funny and on-point. And good deal of time is spent on Baymax, the breakout star of the film who deals out more hugs than punches. Although there is that very disturbing scene when Hiro made Baymax into a killer robot, which gets briefly mentioned here.

This video also celebrates the fact that Disney has a movie other than Frozen to turn into a TV series (coming to Disney XD next year) and a potential film sequel. That’s pretty good for a bunch for characters who have practically disappeared from the Marvel Universe!

What did you think about this week’s episode of Honest Trailers? On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate the jokes? Let us know in the comment section below!

Image: Disney

Lindsey Stirling Brings MAD MAX Vibes to Her New Video

Lindsey Stirling, violinist extraordinaire and patron saint of those who regret not practicing violin more as a kid, is out with another kickass music video. Lindsey manages to get better and better with everything she does, and her latest offering in “The Arena”, the first single off her new album, Brave Enough, is nothing short of amazing.

The concept of the video is based on a quote by Theodore Roosevelt that speaks against critics and placing your worth, self-esteem, and value on the opinions of others. As Roosevelt says, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” It’s a pretty important message for all of us, and one that is important to Lindsey herself. Of course, because its Lindsey Stirling music video, there’s a TON to look at in addition to the powerful message. “The Arena” is set in a literal arena, featuring a competition held in a Mad Max–like, post-apocalyptic setting. But what makes this video so cool, like all things Lindsey Stirling, is the dancing.

We all knew that Lindsey is a talented dancer and violinist, but she definitely sets the bar super high for her latest video by performing a tango with Derek Hough. It’s nothing short of gorgeous, and a bit of a new direction for Lindsay as she spends most of the video dancing with Derek instead of with her violin. Of course, she definitely does feature plenty of her trademark dancing-while-violining (which really makes me embarrassed when I trip while texting and walking), but the tango really adds something extra to the video. Choreographed by Derek, the dance really highlights how Lindsey has evolved as an artist since she first came on the scene back in the early 00’s.

What do you think of Lindsey’s new music video? What are some of your other Lindsey Stirling faves? Tell us about it in the comments!

Feature Image Credit: Lindsey Stirling

Nerdist Podcast: Dana Carvey

Dana Carvey (Wayne’s World, Saturday Night Live, The Dana Carvey Show) chats with Chris and Matt about their ancestral histories; Dana does some impressions and he remembers being on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Dana then talks about balancing his fan-favorite characters with new material, moving up to northern California, and doing a voice in The Secret Life of Pets!

Image: Monica Schipper/Stringer, Getty Images

Researchers Create Pac-Man Petri Dish to Study Microscopic Movement

You’d assume that the tried-and-true Petri dish or microscope slide is the best way to study microorganisms in their natural habitat. And while it’s true that we’ve learned much from these 2-dimensional worlds, it isn’t. The third dimension, depth, is always missing. Not being able to wiggle and swim like they would in the wild, these organisms are probably just itching to tell us more.

That’s why researchers from the University College of Southeast Norway have created a game of Pac-Man and populated it with creatures smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

In the video above, the scientists describe their nano-scale Pac-Man courses, each less than one millimeter in diameter — a third the length of a sesame seed. The nutrient-filled neon mazes were populated by single-celled euglena and ciliates, which were the Pac-Mans (yes, that’s how you pluralize it). Multicellular rotifers were the ghosts.

Though simply fun to watch, the point of the maze was to make laboratory experiments more like what the organisms encounter in nature. In a gooey universe of moss, for example, ciliates and rotifers must find their way around natural canals and hallways laden with predators and prey. If the next generation of Petri dishes was 3D instead of 2D, the researchers hope, we will start recording better data.

“We have had the tremendous fun along the way,” explained Professor Erik Andrew Johannessen in a press release. “And we do this partly because we want to raise awareness of the field.” Mission accomplished. Wompa wompa wompa.

Images: University College of Southeast Norway

LEGO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Is Masterfully Built (Game Review)

In a galaxy far, far, away (…okay, actually, right here in this galaxy), there was a video game series that turned beloved franchises into blocky satirical versions of themselves… and everyone loved it. The latest installment of this series is LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, TT Games/TT Fusion’s block-ification of the big screen critical hit. While this installment doesn’t include a slew of iconic IPs, nor the fun (at times gimmicky) toys-to-life aspect of LEGO Dimensions, the game is still one of the best LEGO titles of the past few years. Here’s why you should build on.

As the title suggests, LEGO The Force Awakens follows the same tale as its film counterpart. Since most enjoyed watching Rey, Finn, Poe, and the rest of the beloved cast face off against Kylo Ren and the First Order, there’s no doubt that the comedic LEGO interpretation will please even the biggest Star Wars fans; the game stays consistently true to the source material, while adding in more silly moments. LEGO The Force Awakens spans the full movie, which means you’ll be along for the ride for Poe’s first encounter with Kylo Ren, the race through Jakku on the Falcon, and even the moment Rey hands the lightsaber over to the Jedi Master. It’s one hell of a ride.

To offer more context to what’s going on in The Force Awakens for newcomers (it is Episode VII, after all), the game actually begins with the final moments of the Original (and superior) Trilogy; I’d be lying if I said nostalgia didn’t instantly hit me. Other than that deviation, the rest of the game adds a goofy spin on certain scenes. One shot demonstrates Kylo Ren’s obsession with his grandfather by showing his room adorned with all things Vader, including slippers, posters, and bed-sheets. (To put it simply, Vader is like Kylo Ren’s Justin Bieber.) The game is often times hilarious.

Best of all, the game is stunning. I mean, visuals usually aren’t a big deal in the LEGO games, but it feels like a full cinematic experience thanks to the gorgeous, fully voiced cut-scenes.

While those familiar with the LEGO franchise will surely feel right at home when loading this bad boy up, it quickly becomes clear that you’ll be doing more than just solving environmental puzzles to progress. As soon as you jump into the first few missions, you’ll be taking cover behind some blocky debris and trading blaster shots with Stormtroopers. Though that isn’t to say that you should expect a full-on Gears of War-esque third-person action title (though, wouldn’t that be sweet?). Rather, the shooting galleries sprinkled throughout your usual stackable adventure adds a nice change of pace. It’s a pleasant surprise!

That’s not all, though, as you’ll also be piloting an X-Wing through the skies like the real Poe Dameron. There’s even a moment where you’ll be stealing a First Order TIE Fighter from right under their helmet-covered noses. What’s a Star Wars game without aerial combat, after all? At best, these sequences rival insane on-rails moments from the Star Fox franchise… though, it’s not always perfect. There are moments where too much is happening on the screen, but since these sequences make up a small portion of the game, it isn’t that big of a deal.

Other than those two different gameplay moments, you’ll be doing the usual LEGO thing, which involves walking around, breaking everything in sight to make your inner five-year-old squeal with joy, switching between iconic characters to complete tasks, and solving moderately challenging puzzles. Despite having some great characters to use from the Star Wars franchise, none of their abilities are all that unique. One character can jump higher than the rest, while another can hack computers, and so on. These abilities have been seen in other LEGO titles. Using the Force and a lightsaber is always fun, so there’s that. This isn’t to say the game is boring, because it’s not—it just isn’t groundbreaking. But to be fair, I don’t believe that’s what the team was setting out to reach. Why fix something that isn’t broken?

You can also expect to search out plenty of collectibles if you’re looking to max out the experience. While I’m not one to spend extra hours searching through every nook and cranny to find that last red block, this, like previous iterations, is the mother-load for completionists. Just be wary of this if you have LEGO fatigue.

There are a few gripes I had with my 10+ hour venture, but nothing that really hindered the experience. First, you’ll get a word scroll every time you start a new chapter, which sounds like nostalgic goodness, but it soon becomes rather annoying. The good news is, you can skip it if you want; just know that you’ll be missing out on some of the story by doing so. Second, there isn’t enough Force play, but that has more to do with the narrative of the game’s film counterpart.

On the bright side, the game is loads of fun, and makes for a great weekend. Plus, it also supports local co-op, so you’ll be able to grab some friends and family to join in on the good times.

The Verdict

While LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens isn’t the best game in the LEGO lineup, it’s definitely the best Star Wars iteration. Mixing in a good amount of aerial combat and third-person shooting to the usual puzzle-solving adventure makes this feel like a more well-rounded package. Even those who have LEGO video game fatigue will be happy that the lightsaber-wielding blocks are back in action. Watching The Force Awakens narrative unfold with the LEGO-style comedic moments sprinkled throughout is something Star Wars fans shouldn’t miss out on. For that, I definitely say get in on the fun.

4.5 out of 5 Burritos 

Pros

Variation is added to the standard LEGO gameplay with shooting galleries and Star Fox-like flight missions. Makes for a robust space adventure.
Comedy is strong with this one. Try not to laugh.
Cinematics are gorgeous. Everything is beautiful in this game, even if they are made up of LEGO blocks.
Simply put, the game is a total blast.

Cons

Character abilities don’t feel unique.
Not enough use of the Force.

—

This review was completed using an Xbox One Copy of LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens provided by Warner Bros. The game hit shelves on Tuesday, June 28, 2016

ATTACK ON TITAN Will Be Back for Season 2 Next Year

Many different fan communities know what it’s like to wait ages for the next season of their favorite television show. In light of the increasingly prevalent prioritization of artistry in the TV world, many programs have eschewed the traditional network model schedule in favor of a more patient roll-out. We saw the beginnings of this trend back with The Sopranos, and continue to suffer through it with comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm and animated series like Rick and Morty. But perhaps the most painful example of the lot: Attack on Titan, on whose return we’ve been waiting since the conclusion of its first season back in 2013.

Finally, that wait is over…or will be, in about a year. Evidence has arisen at the Tokyo International Forum that Attack on Titan will be back for a second season, slated to hit screens in the spring of 2017. The Forum broke the news via the debut of a promotional image during a live-reading fan event pegged to the series, as reported by IGN.

Attack on Titan’s official website seems to corroborate this report, having redecorated its backdrop with new images illustrating an upcoming storyline.

TVアニメ『進撃の巨人』Season 2、ティザーページを開設いたしました！新ページとともに、新キービジュアルも公開しました！ #shingeki https://t.co/pKZCLmvlnI pic.twitter.com/AIVZxq0oKt

— アニメ「進撃の巨人」公式アカウント (@anime_shingeki) July 3, 2016

These images should look familiar to anyone up to date with the Attack on Titan manga, suggesting that season two of the show will aim to adapt the manga series’ most recent arc.

The news continues that the entire Attack on Titan team will be back on board for the second season, including directors Tetsuro Araki and Masashi Koizuka; each will be graduating to more pivotal roles in the show’s development and design, with Araki taking on the equivalent of the show runner position.

Though we still have until spring of 2017 to wait, there’s at least a visible finish line in sight, with promotional material to make the goal all the more tangible. Will you be returning to Attack on Titan next year? Let us know!

Featured Image: Wit Studio/Production I.G.

Check Out These Creative Disneyland Food Hacks

One could argue that the best part of going to Disneyland is the food. Sure, the rides are fun, but the food is uniquely Disney and often the most memorable part of your experience. Disneyland treats are known for their flavor profiles, but what happens when you mash them up to make your own food hacks?

Youtuber Keith Lapinig made a video chronicling a custom Disney secret menu, revealing fun food hacks he created by running from place to place in the park. His first creation is a SoCal favorite, Tajin spiced Dole Whip. Tajin chile seasoning is a common fruit seasoning in Los Angeles and unbeknownst to Disneyland newbies, it’s given away for free in packets from the Tropical Imports store in Adventureland. All you have to do is ask! Sprinkle it onto your Dole Whip and you’ve got a sweet and spicy summer treat.

His second snack is a combo of two park faves, an ice cream sundae and a Disneyland churro. Pretty obvious if you’re all about getting two great treats in one. The third hack is one of the best: a combination of Disneyland’s famous Mint Julep and again, a park favorite, the Dole Whip. The Dole Whip Mint Julep is for sure a refreshing respite from a hot summer day at the park.

I loved these fun food hacks, and as a frequent visitor and Disneyland aficionado myself, I decided to add a few of my own featuring snacks on the other side of the resort, over at Disney’s California Adventure. At Disneyland they serve up a Mac & Cheese Dog at the Refreshment Corner, but it’s possible to make your own at DCA by simply going to Flo’s V-8 Cafe in Cars Land and ordering a side of macaroni and cheese. Take that over to Award Weiners in Hollywood Land and then spoon it over your hot dog to make your very own super easy, Mac and Cheese Dog.

What I love about DCA is that you can get unique items you won’t find anywhere else like the Cookies and Cream Churro from the Cozy Cone Motel snack bar in Cars Land. The churro is available at Cozy Cone 1, and after you’ve picked it up head over to Cozy Cone 2 to get a soft serve. Combine the two to create your own Cookies and Cream Churro soft serve sundae. Sweet, sugary goodness.

My last tip is for the hackers who love a good filling meal. Head over to the Pacific Wharf Cafe and buy a sourdough loaf. Just ask and they’ll slice it up for you free of charge. Once you have that, pick up a Jumbo Turkey Leg at Don Toma’s on the pier and you have the ingredients to create yourself the ultimate Disney turkey sandwich.

Have you tried any of these food hacks or have one of your own? Let us know in the comments and show us your creations on instagram by tagging @nerdist and @justjennrecipes, and check out Keith Lapinig’s full video on his YouTube channel.

IMAGES: Keith Lapinig