ManWithPez

Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

Top Ten Time Machines

Wed ,25/11/2009
You try writing something like this without Huey Lewis being stuck in YOUR head!

You try writing something like this without Huey Lewis being stuck in YOUR head!

November is time travel month here at ManWithPez, as I’ve pointed out any number of times, courtesy of Doctor Emmett Brown and the invention of the Flux Capacitor on Nov, 5th.  What better time to wheel out a top ten list of my personal favorite time machines in various forms of fiction.  I love the time travel plot device, and some of the machines that writers and prop builders come up with are some of the coolest looking machines ever.  Let’s get started! (more…)

Top Ten Holographic Helpers

Wed ,11/11/2009
Governor!  Please!  She isn't even real!

Governor! Please! She isn't even real!

In the course of most science fiction movies, the hero gets a little help from some friends.  Strictly speaking, since we are talking about science fiction, these people don’t always have to be actual, real people.  What?  You never got any help from an imaginary buddy?  Here’s a few of my favorite assistants from science fiction who might not have actually been real, but whose help was invaluable throughout film and television. (more…)

Top Ten Showdowns! (Non-Western Film Genre) SPOILERS!

Wed ,04/11/2009
Meet in the parking lot...Three O'Clock High!

Meet me in the parking lot...Three O'Clock High!

When I watch epic films or TV series, I pay attention to the early relationships formed between the characters.  Why would I do this?  Well, it’s been my experience that the closer the relationship, the better the showdown between the characters when things go wrong.  And things always go wrong!  Then again, sometimes the chemistry works in just a way that you just know these people (or things) are going to throw down and provide you, the moviegoing/couch potato nerds with a fight worth watching!  So, here they are, my favorite showdowns!  (The criteria here is that there has to be a bit of an emotional investment in the fight, and the people involved have to have a reason to rumble.  Also, they have to actually show what happens…so, please don’t come after me with Bucho vs El Mariachi, okay?) (more…)

Top 10 Chosen Ones

Wed ,28/10/2009
And...begin Joe Esposito soundtrack showcase...NOW!

And...begin Joe Esposito soundtrack showcase...NOW!

Throughout fiction (and some nonfiction), there are  accounts of a promised or chosen one that will either show up to solve all the problems, or enter and cause all the problems.  I like them either way.  I noticed something while researching this, and it’s interesting.  In most of the “chosen ones” that I was able to find, they either weren’t the actual ones people were looking for, or they accomplished their prophecies through unexpected means.  (more…)

Top Ten Badass Educators

Wed ,14/10/2009
"Anyone...anyone....anyone..."

"Anyone...anyone....anyone..."

Man, I remember sitting in class, bored out of my skull, thinking that it would be so much more interesting if, when the weekend rolled around, my teacher would head for the hills to solve mysteries or protect the innocent.  The school teachers of rural Kentucky, where I hail from, don’t really think that way.  In fact, no teachers think like that.  That’s why, in escapist entertainment, we have more than a bit to choose from when it comes to getting the job done and ridding the world of evil.  So, here they are, in my personal rank order: (more…)

Kick Ass Cars of the Vampire Killers

Fri ,09/10/2009
Eat it, you blood sucking undead shitbird!!!

Eat it, you blood sucking undead shitbird!!!

Killing the undead isn’t easy, if movies have taught me anything.  But, with all these movies, I’ve learned something else:  Having a sick whip (I can’t believe I just typed that phrase…sigh…) really ups your chances!  It appears that the badder ass the car, the badder ass the vampire killer, so let’s get started.  Presented here, in release order (of the movie or TV show, not the car) are the coolest cars of individuals (some teams) that hunt the hunters, and make the night a little safer for all of us. (more…)