Clifford Screening at 92YTribeca

Date: Tue, Sep 27, 2011, 9 pm
Venue: 92YTribeca SCREENING ROOM
Location: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson Street

“Look at me like a human boy!”

Like all truly great works of film art, Clifford never should have happened. Martin Short, pushing 40, plays the titular brat as a 10-year-old, also narrating his delinquent youth from a bizarre, future-set framing device. Dumped into the care of his uncle Martin (Grodin), a bachelor city planner, Clifford wants nothing more than a trip to Dinosaur World theme park. But when uncle Martin cancels the trip as punishment for bad behavior, the little psychopath ramps up his campaign of terror, systematically setting out to undermine every aspect of his guardian’s life, from personal to professional. Grodin displays more subtle types of exasperation than Eskimos have words for snow.

Programmed by Nick Pinkerton and Nicolas Rapold.

Director: Paul Flaherty. 90 min. 1994. 35mm.

Part of the series Overdue. Other Charles Grodin Overdue film screening: Midnight Run (with Charles Grodin in person!) & The Lonely Guy.

Robot Sweatshop - Episode 38: Nice Segway

Dan & Mike return in a new episode of Robot Sweatshop! Topics of discussion:

- Mike's life

- Dan's life

- The Walking Dead

- Batman Inc.

- Ghostbusters 3

- And more!

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Books Arriving Damaged on Amazon?

Last month I ordered Michael Kupperman's Snake 'n' Bacon's Cartoon Cabaret from my online retailer/credit provider (I have an Amazon credit card). Can you guess? Yes, it was Amazon! You guys are great!

Kupperman is genius and hysterical. This book is no exception. Good luck trying to order it on Amazon though! I received it damaged TWICE. Instead of a third time, I received this email - "I'm sorry to hear the replacement book had the same problem as your first order. This usually doesn't happen. Since it's likely another replacement would arrive damaged, I won't trouble you with another order." Way to give up, Amazon! Way to give it the ol' college try! Except the college would be "Why Bother University" or "Eh A&M."

This may be the 4th order where I have received damaged goods from Amazon but this email is amazing. I really love the commitment to quality. The fact it is written in the first person also really gives a human touch. Ah, Old Man Amazon, what a guy (or lady)! Not wanting to trouble me with more destroyed fully-priced merchandise, man I owe him one. He appreciates that my time is just as valuable as his. Maybe you guys should just LEARN HOW TO PACKAGE STUFF.

Start small. Take a small box and place a semi-fragile item in it and mail it to someone you care about/respect. A loved one, perhaps? Maybe mail a snowglobe to Buy.com with a note saying "no hard feelings?" If the items arrives intact in the exact shape you mailed it in, CONGRATS, you've cracked the code - much like Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie in the fictional movie Hackers or the codebreakers of the Enigma machine in the non-fictional WWII! Over the next few years, work your way up to books and you'll find Amazon just subletted a spacious 1BR on Easy Street! (with 1.5 bath!)

MY FRIENDS THAT LIVE IN MY BOOKCASE

I tried to think of the creepiest title possible for an action figure showing-off related post. I think I did alright!

The reason for this is really to show off Batman -- it's from DC Direct's "Secret Files" series, which I bought off eBay because of his suit's uncanny resemblance to Bats's new costume (as seen below as well), which I love.

Anyway, here you go. Don't judge. Unless you think it's cool.

Robot Sweatshop - Episode 37: An Interview With Trip Rosen, Mel Gibson's New Comic Book Agent

Welcome to another episode of Robot Sweatshop. This one was a huge scoop for us: An interview with Mel Gibson's new agent, Trip Rosen, who discusses Mel's controversies and -- BELIEVE IT -- his new client's entry into the comic book world. A must listen!

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Sweatshop Robot - 36 Episode: Freak Face/Off Friday

This is a weird one. Without spoiling anything, consider the title a hint. Either way, it is a MUST LISTEN.

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Robot Sweatshop - Episode 35: The Return

AND WE'RE BACK. The best pop culture themed podcast recorded in Kensington, Brooklyn returns, featuring Dan Brooks, Mike In Manhattan and Frank From Weehawken. What we talk about this episode:

- What we've been up to

- Comics

- Video Games

- The Human Centipede

Enjoy!

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Frank Welker and Peter Cullen BOTH Returning to Transformers

Briefly, file this under Pretty Fucking Cool: Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, the original voices of Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively, are returning to voice their legendary characters in the new cartoon, "Transformers: Prime." No actual word on what the show is (prequel to the original show, sequel, etc.) -- designs kinda resemble those of the hate-them, hate-them, hate-them Micahel Bay movies -- but it will be fun to hear these guys again.

Celebrate Zombie Awareness Month!

I did not intentionally try to find a zombie that looked exactly like Dan. It was the first one that came up in my Google search.

Here are some ways you can celebrate:

1. Watch Zombieland (I was actually disappointed. Thought it was good but not as great as everyone made it out to be)

2. Do an IMDB Search for George A. Romero...he kinda likes zombies

3. Watch this 100 times.

Send us your suggestions on how to celebrate Zombie Awareness Month!

P.S. I am serious, May is really Zombie Awareness Month.

Art Adams Personally Signed Print for Sale!

Email me if interested!

"Tom Scharpling" sketch by Michael Kupperman

From this weekend's MoCCA comic fest. 'Nuff said.

We're Alive!

Hey! Thanks for stopping by while this place looks like an abandoned amusement park. Your loyalty will be rewarded: the podcast is relaunching soon. Watch. This. Space.

In the meantime, why not subscribe at iTunes? You will not regret it. That's right -- an internet boast!

Robot Sweatshop's Winter Movie Preview

As we inch ever so much closer to the holiday season, Hollywood is preparing for one of its busier seasons, second only to summer. While the winter/holiday season usually turns out several profitable movies, this year is extremely unique in the fact that it has already produced one of the most highly anticipated movies ever in New Moon. While everyone predicted that the movie would be huge, I am not so sure they anticipated the third highest grossing weekend ever behind only Dark Knight and Spider-Man 3. New Moon also shattered the record for midnight showings, taking in an estimated $26 million, breaking the record set last summer by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($22 million). Take that nerds! If the swirlies you got throughout high school weren't enough, now teenage girls are putting you to shame!

This type of movie being released at this time of year could have a huge effect on the winter movie season. New Moon has a chance to make a run at Dark Knight and Titanic territory in terms of ticket sales and worldwide box office gross. The entire movie biz has known for a while when New Moon would be coming out and as any good business would do, they have prepared for it when they have given their movies release dates. Any big budget movie that has a genre anywhere close to that of New Moon will either push a release date back or move it well ahead to avoid the huge spotlight cast on the Twilight franchise. With all of this reshuffling going on, any possible competition will be no where in sight, meaning that all of these Twilight psychopaths will see New Moon even more times than they would have anyway. My wife is a huge fan (she won't admit she is a nerd, is there a difference between those 2 words) of the Twilight books and despite admitting that the first Twilight movie was complete garbage, she still saw it 3 times, just think what would happen if this movie is watch-able? All I will say is "God help us all".


Update: Since I first wrote this post I went and saw New Moon (Took my Dad to see it for his Birthday). While it was definitely not good, it was much better than the first, werewolves are definitely more interesting than vampires with no fangs that don't bite people.

What kind of movie season are the rest of us in store for you ask? Robot Sweatshop has your guide to some of the other movies coming out this winter that could be worth your ridiculously expensive movie ticket. Most of of what you will read is based off of what I have read or seen on television or the internets, but if any of the Robot Sweatshop team see any of these movies, we will update the post so please check back for this. Feel free to leave your own comments as well about any of these films or ones we missed that are worth seeing.

The Road
Directed by John Hillcoat, starring Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron
Release Date: November 25
Is it safe to say that whatever Viggo Mortensen attaches his name too has a great chance of being good? With the exception of Hidalgo (which I didn't see) everything he has been in since Lord of the Rings began I have throroughly enjoyed. Director John Hillcoat is a relatively unknown directory which for me isn't a red light, but more of a yellow light.

This movie is based off of the novel by Cormac McCarthy, who also wrote No Country for Old Men, which I felt was a great movie despite my feelings about the ending. The story revolves around Mortensen's character and his son traveling by foot across a post-apocalyptic world in search of survivors, preferably those that have not converted to cannibalism, which apparently is the hip new trend. Think Walking Dead minus the zombies. Since us here at Robot Sweatshop can't get sneak preview press passes to film screenings, I have to get my information off of others and the internet, but I can tell you that from what I have heard so far, this is a truly disturbing film.


Expect an update on this movie soon as I will most likely be giving this one a shot.


Trailer:


Ninja Assassin

Directed by James McTeigue, starring no one you ever heard of
Release Date: November 25
There has been plenty of promotion for this movie for about a month before its release and I will say from what I saw it looks pretty cool. When you are going to see a movie called Ninja Assassin I think looks are all that counts right? The movie's plot (like anyone cares) revolves around an orphan ninja named Raizo who is raised by a secret society of bad ass ninjas, but decides to leave the group after they kill his best friend and decides to become a kick ass philanthropist. That's the whole movie. The end.

I'm just kidding, of course he wants revenge, ninja style!

The movie was directed by James McTeigue, who also did V for Vendetta, which I completely hated but still heard from others who really enjoyed it. The Wachowski Brothers, who you might recognize as the dudes who brought us the Matrix trilogy, produced Ninja Assassin so you can expect plenty of great special effects. I am sure there are plenty of people who felt that the Matrix trilogy would have been way better if they cut out all of the horrible acting and just gave us one movie filled with all action. This movie might make these people feel like the Wachowski's were reading their diary.

There will definitely be an update on this movie, if not from me, it will be from my dad who would skip my wedding to see a flick like this.

Update: My dad saw this and said it was one of the bloodiest movies he has ever seen. He absolutely loved it, but he also loved Wolverine...so take that however you would like.

Trailer:

The Slammin Salmon

Directed by Kevin Hefferman, starring the dudes from Super Troopers
Release Date: December 11

Since their breakout movie Super Troopers in 2001, the guys of Broken Lizard have gone on to make more of their own movies and also do their own things as well. I have watched several interviews with these guys and the way they create their Broken Lizard movies is truly a collaborative effort with all 5 guys (Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Paul Soter, contributing with the writing. Until this latest movie, Chandrasekhar has handled the directing duties, but for Slammin Salmon, Kevin Hefferman is in the director's chair.

This time around the guys are all working at a restaurant owned by a former heavyweight boxing champ, played by Michael Clarke Duncan. To motivate his poor waiting staff he starts a contest, whoever can get the most tips gets $10,000 dollars, whoever comes in last he will beat the shit out of. The movie seems like another Waiting, which I loved, just a little more over the top. This is a similar situation when they followed up Super Troopers with Club Dread, a spoof on horror films that may have been better received had it not been for the Scary Movie franchise. Had it not been for Waiting, this movie might have more hype. The trailers I have seen so far have not impressed me.

If anyone ends up seeing this please leave a comment and let us know how you liked it, I will most likely be passing on this and counting the days until Super Troopers 2 comes out, which it being developed by Broken Lizard as we speak.

Trailer:

Avatar
Directed by James Cameron, starring Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver
Release Date: December 18
One of the most anticipated movies to come out this year, James Cameron is back with hopes of totally reinventing special effects like he has done pretty much every time he puts out a new film. It is hard to imagine that the last movie he directed was Titanic but since then he has been mainly churning out documentaries and writing fairly popular televisions series (Dark Angel, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and one movie which was Terminator 3, easily the worst one so far, but that was most likely because he chose not to direct.

Avatar is the story about a group of humans that are brought to a distant planet called Pandora to fight in a war between humans and the inhabitants of this planet. There have been plenty of trailers circulating and they all look amazing, and from what I have read the film was created with an entirely new approach to 3D with Cameron inventing his own cameras to get what we wants out of the film. Avatar at IMAX sounds like it is going to be amazing.

This is easily going to be the biggest movie other than New Moon and will be the only movie to come out between now and its release date that has a shot at finishing number one at the box office. I will not be surprised to see New Moon on top until this film comes out a week before Christmas, which is sad. It is unfortunate that a filmmaker like Cameron cannot get the same hype and attention that this Twilight crap does. He is truly one of the most revolutionary filmmakers we will ever see in our lifetime, if not the biggest.

I will definitely be seeing this in IMAX, I will update this one for sure.

Trailer:

Sherlock Holmes

Directed by Guy Ritchie, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams

Release Date: December 25

I recently just saw a trailer for this movie and I have to say it did not have much of a Guy Ritchie look to it, it looked more like Van Helsing with Robert Downey Jr. instead of Hugh Jackman. I am not surprised however seeing that it's a big budget action movie with plenty of star power and there is probably a hope that this will turn into another huge franchise for Robert Downey Jr. Guy Rithie is probably giving them just another big name rather than a big contribution artistically.

As you already know, the Sherlock Holmes story involves a detective of the same name and his partner Watson who solve mysteries while acting all British-like, tea, crumpets and all the jazz. The trailer included plenty of explosions and action, I am sure the intention is to take the story and reinvent it for the 21st Century but still give it the old timey look, exactly what they did with Van Helsing. We all remember how that movie turned out right? You can probably expect the same, but maybe Downey and Jude can carry it. We'll just have to wait and see, I mean you will have to wait and see, I will not be seeing this.

Trailer:

The Wolfman

Directed by Joe Johnston, starring Benicio Del Toro, Sir Anthony Hopkins
Release Date: February 12

There has been plenty of information circulating about about this movie over the internet, unfortunately it has more about its ever changing release date and not about the actual movie itself. It was originally supposed to be released in the spring of 2009 and it was then pushed back to February 2010. As for the reasons for this pushback is unknown, it could be for reshoots, which is never good, or maybe Universal, who is distributing the film, felt releasing a horror film of this magnitude would be better suited for Valentines day. Apparrently horror movies are pretty popular on this holiday, I'm not kidding.

The story is based off of the classic tale of a dude turning into a werewolf when the moon is full, Benicio Del Toro plays the dude and Mac Tonight plays the moon, not sure anyone will get that joke. From the few trailers I have seen there is plenty of action and CGI special effects, which for most werewolf movies might be a bad thing. I think the true fans wish that thing's could go back to when actors and actresses had to spend 3 days getting their makeup put on before they would do a scene. While I don't see this happening ever again, it would be nice to meet somewhere in the middle, similar to what Guillermo Del Toro has done with his Hellboy movies. Hopefully for everyone's sake The Wolfman will try to accomplish this as well. We will have to wait and see.

An update on this will probably be coming as I am looking forward to seeing this one.

Trailer:

The best of the rest:

Shutter Island
Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo

Release Date: February 19
Scorcese's first film since winning the Oscar for The Departed, expect another nomination.

Trailer:

Alice in Wonderland

Directed by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp
Release Date: March 5
Tim Burton teaming up with Johnny Depp, why haven't these guys teamed up before? Oh wait

Trailer:

Clash of the Titans

Directed by Louis Leterrier, starring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes
Release Date: March 26
Another huge movie starring Sam Worthington. Has anyone ever burst onto the scene like this with 3 100 mil plus blockbusters in less than a year with really no previously well known films? Crazy.

Trailer:

Hot Tub Time Machine
Directed by Steve Pink, starring John Cusack, Rob Corddry)

Release Date: March 26

Yes you read this movie title right, look up the trailer, there is no need to explain it, the title explains everything and is all I need to see.

Trailer (Restricted so look out for a few curse words!):

Robot Sweatshop - Episode 34: To Catch a Podcaster

A new episode of the world-famous podcast, Robot Sweatshop, featuring:

- a new cast member
- Walking Dead talk
- videogame talk
- weird tangents (thanks, Mike!)

Enjoy!*

*This is a Skypecast, so the sound quality is so-so. But enjoyable nonetheless!

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Robot Sweatshop - Episode 33: An Interview With Ben Morse of Marvel

Hello, Internet! Boy, do I have a podcast for you.

In this very exciting episode of Robot Sweatshop, Dan talks one-on-one with Ben Morse -- formerly of Wizard, and current Assistant Editor of Marvel.com -- about Ben's first-ever published comics work in the new MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR, current goings-on at Marvel.com, and tons more. A must listen. Do it to it.

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Robot Sweatshop - Episode 32: Halloween Spooktacular 2009

Hello, Robot Sweatshoppers! Welcome to our Halloween Spooktacular 2009, filled with talk about SCARY STUFF, from comics to movies. Give it a listen...if you dare!

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Robot Sweatshop's Guide to Finding the Ultimate Halloween Costume!

What's up, loyal Robot Sweatshopaholics! We are coming up on the last week of October and the most popular question running through many people's minds is....

"What the @#$% am I going to be for Halloween?"

Here are some rules to follow when you use your noodle to come up with the perfect costume:

1. If you are happy with it, screw what other people think.
In a world full of opinions, the most important one is your own. Do not to worry about how your costume will be perceived by everyone who will sees it. If you are passionate about a particular movie, comic book, video game or music group then by all means use it as an idea. If you love the movie Timecop, go get that pompadour/mullet wig; if you are a big fan of the comic Silver Surfer, go get that silver bodysuit and genital stuffing; and if you are obsessed with the band Limp Biscuit, you are not allowed anywhere near me on Halloween.

2. Going random is good, but try to be aware of where the line is.
Being unique is definitely appreciated on Halloween, but you also run the risk of looking like a complete goon. You shouldn't expect everyone to know what you are trying to be, but you should be able to explain it and get a few "Oh yeah!" responses throughout the night. If you tell someone who you are supposed to be and you get an "O......K" reaction, you may have tried too hard to stand out.

Here are some examples of what I am talking about:
Good: The blue dude from Watchmen who shows his dong the whole movie (Dong optional).
Bad: The dude from the shitty Wolverine movie that is in the Black Eyed Peas. Who the f was that anyway?

Good: Any guitarist or lead singer from any popular band.
Bad: Any bassist that has ever lived with the exception of Flea, Les Claypool and Lemmy. (And Paul McCartney. -- Dan)

3. Go big or go home...or just stay home and pass out candy to kids.
If you aren't into Halloween and you just go with the plainest thing you can think of...you will come across like a lame-o or Halloween version of Scrooge. Not wanting to dress up and wear something fun is like not wanting presents on Christmas, not wanting turkey on Thanksgiving, or not wanting your parents to draw fake bunny tracks on your front walkway on Easter. (Is my buddy Greg's parents the only ones who did that?) What I am trying to get at is you should just stay home with that kind of attitude and pass out candy to the next generation of Halloween lovers. Look at it as your penalty for being such a buzzkill. You boring jerk.

4. Popular culture is always a good idea as long as you remember to keep it POPULAR.
There are plenty of stories in the news that you can use as inspiration to put together a costume, but you need to make sure people will remember what the story is. I would avoid going back more than 2-3 months when thinking of your idea. I am sure we will see plenty of balloon boys out on Halloween; hopefully we will not see too many Octo-moms.

5. Buying a costume at a Halloween store. Ugh.*
Like every holiday, there is plenty of money to be made by commercializing the celebration. There are plenty of party stores out there that for one month each year sell pre-made costumes to those who are too lazy to put in some actual effort. Occasionally you can strike gold going with this option, but the odds of seeing someone else with the same costume you thought was awesome is pretty high. Most of the costumes are so boring they are the equivalent of you wearing a sign that says “What's the point?". I would also like to add that if I see one more couple dressed up as a plug and a socket I will double-clothesline them.

* I have only one reason to ever go to a Halloween store and it is only if you absolutely cannot think of any solid ideas, which leads to my next tip.

6. When all else fails, you can always take an overdone idea and turn it on its ass.
I understand it's not always easy to find the perfect idea, especially if you wait until the last minute. So if you are scrapped for time, go to one of these Halloween stores, buy something you’ve seen before and add some kind of comedic element to it. For example adding a zombie element to any costume idea gives it instant credibility, like a celebrity you hate with a passion. What better way to say you wish someone were dead than to go out as them for Halloween, only in zombie form?

Zombie Spencer Pratt? Cha-ching!

Zombie Britney Spears for the ladies? Jackpot!
Zombie Patrick Swayze? What’s wrong with you? Too soon!

7. Comfort is key.
Halloween usually involves drinking, dancing, and the occasional 5 minute breather. You want to be able to accomplish these feats without your own costume getting in the way. As fun as it would be to make your own Optimus Prime costume, you are not that talented to make it work, and drinks will be spilled. Do not sacrifice your own comfort to try and stand out; there are plenty of ways to make a costume that will allow you to pull off the sickest of dance moves.

8. Hatred can also inspire greatness.
It does not always have to be movies you love; despising a movie to the point where the only thing that can come out of your mouth is laughter is a great way to create a costume. Seems like everyone these days won't shut up about this Twilight movie. I'll admit it, I saw that piece of shit and while I would love to go on about how awful it was, instead I will tell you that creating a costume to look like the douche-bag lead actor would be hilarious and pretty easy to accomplish.

9. Play-on-words costumes, while not my style, if done right can be GREAT SUCCESS!
Being as immature as a 29-year-old can be, I have heard it all when it comes to dirty words and phrases, and if you can translate this into your Halloween outfit, then you have my blessing.This task will require you to most likely explain your costume often because people love to ask you "What the hell are you supposed to be?”. If you have the patience for the possible dull reaction some people will give you, then you are the right person to take a shot at pulling this off. Some examples of dirty phrases I am referring to are the following:

Dirty Sanchez
Donkey Punch
Abe Lincoln (Don't ask)
Cincinnati Bowtie
Tony Danza

10. Anything involving a mustache, real or fake, is the tits.
That sentence is pretty self-explanatory; I do not need to say anymore.

Good luck this year, if you would like your awesome costume recognized, send a picture to RobotSweatshop@gmail.com and we will put it up on the site!

Mike, Frank, and Family Fun (the band) on Morning Court TV Show

A rift when Mike McGillicuddy intelligently and thoughtfully invests the band's money with respected talent mogul/record producer Frank from Weehawken CEO/CFO/CMO of Dream Factory Records... Paul, being the short-fused pennypincher that he is, cannot put faith in Mike's huge caring heart or Mike's brilliant forward-thinking/initiative and decides to air out his grievances on a morning court TV show rather than solve them live civilized adults... Sparks fly as Paul reveals his true feelings about Mike McGillicuddy. Frank from Weehawken gives expert testimony - an expert on experts! See Doob make looming sexy!

Family Fun also has a new EP coming out on Dream Factory Records - check local listings for exclusive resellers!

Robot Sweatshop - Episode 31: Live From Outer Space, Brooklyn

And we're back! Again! Lovable scamps Dan (who sounds like he's calling in from a space station), Mike and Frank (who sounds like he's calling in from the bottom of a well) discuss the making of their appearance on STREET COURT, as well as Beatles Rock Band, Beatles remasters, and lots more. Another great one!

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Robot Sweatshop - Episode 30: Hello Jude

In this installment of Robot Sweatshop: Dan, Chris and Frank talk RiffTrax live, DC's recent and upcoming animated flicks, the new PS3, The Beatles: Rock Band and lots more. Plus, we record on Dan's new kitchen table, which forces him to hunch like Larry King! Dig it!

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