The CW's Crisis On Earth X Crossover

What's up, people? I'm back with another action packed blog. I watched The CW's Crisis On Earth X crossover event. The story arc began Monday night on 'Supergirl', continued on 'Arrow' and 'The Flash', and concluded on 'Legends Of Tomorrow'. I have to say that I enjoyed this crossover more than the recent DC related feature films. Sure it was cheesy, but this is the type of stuff I grew up with. It was great to see William Katt of 'Greatest American Hero' fame make an appearance on 'Supergirl' as a minister during Barry Allen and Iris West's wedding which was interrupted by modern day nazi soldiers who arrive on Earth 1 from Earth X, an alternate Earth where the Nazis won World War 2. I'm not going into specifics on the plot here, but this was an entertaining story arc which doesn't take itself too seriously with the exception of the death of a member of the Legends Of Tomorrow. This crossover brings me back in a way to the Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman crossover episodes from the 1970's. Anyway, this pretty much sums up my thoughts on Crisis On Earth X in a nutshell. Until next time, have a good one and if you can't be good, then be careful, or at least be good at it. 'Later.

CW's The Flash 'Duet' (season 3 episode 17)

Tonight's episode of The CW's The Flash was a lot better than I was expecting. I was never really much of a fan of Glee, but I thought Grant Gustin(Barry Allen/The Flash) and Melissa Benoist(Kara Danvers/Supergirl) are pretty good singers. Interesting storyline in which Barry and Kara are taken from their perspective Earths, dropped into a movie musical alternate reality,,and stripped of their powers by the Music Master, a villain who is no stranger to the DC Comics' Universe. Barry and Kara have to rely on their wits instead of their powers in order to get out of this situation. Anyway, after watching this episode, Anyway, that's about it for this blog entry and brief review of tonight's episode of The Flash. Until next time, have fun out there, but behave yourselves, y'hear?

I Am Elemental Female Action Figures

Just came across these last night via The company's Facebook page. According to their Kickstarter video these 4 inch scaled action figures are aimed towards young girls, but as a 50 year old adult action figure collector, I think these little ladies a pretty dang cool. Planning on ordering wave 1 soon. What I've seen these figures have some really good articulation. They look like they would be a lot of fun for customizing and repaints. I'll have to post a review of these figures on my You Tube channel (www.youtube.com/kevinnelson66) when I get around to ordering these. Compliments go out to I Am Elemental on these.

FanboyNewsDesk For February 10, 2017

This is the current video edition of the FanboyNewsDesk from February 10, 2017. I talk about actor Richard Hatch's passing at the age of 71 and the return of Jay & Silent Bob to the big screen.

GI Joe, the Original Action Figure

On February 2, 1964 Hasbro introduced the world's first action figure line, the original GI Joe Adventure Team of 12 inch scale action figures. Mattel had found success with their Barbie line of 11 1/2 inch scale fashion dolls and Hasbro was looking to do something similar, but marketed towards boys. The original line of Adventure Team figures were military inspired, but that eventually changed over more towards adventure themed figures and vehicles as the Viet Nam war began winding down. Many variations of Joe found their way into toy isles including figures with 'life-like' hair and beards, an African-American version, 'talking' GI Joe, 'Kung Fu Grip' GI Joe(which I had), 'Eage Eye' GI Joe, Mike Powers 'the atomic man'(Hasbro's version of Kenner's successful Colonel Steve Austin 'The Six Million Dollar Man' action figure), As the Adventure Team toys began winding down, Hasbro released a superhero figure known as 'Bullet Man' and an odd looking figure called 'The Intruder'. The line ended in 1976, but a year later Hasbro launched a smaller scale(8 inch) action figure line called 'Super Joes' which failed to match the success of their taller counterparts. With the success of Kenner's 3.75 inch Star Wars line of action figures, vehicles, and playsets Hasbro re-imagined GI into their own line of small scale action figures known as 'GI Joe A Real American Hero' in 1982. This new anti terrorist team of male and female action figures went up against the terrorist team known as COBRA. The toyline was spun off into a comic book series from Marvel Comics Group which ran from 1982 until 1994 as well as an animated series. As I said earlier, I had the eagle eye GI Joe when I was growing up as well as the atomic man. I still have several of the A Real American Hero action figures, but they've seen their better days. I enjoyed the comics, but didn't really get into the animated stuff. I'm going to sign off this action packed edition of this blog by saying happy birthday to the original action figure and giving out a "yo Joe!"

Battlestar Galactica Death Of Apollo

Battlestar Galactica Death Of Apollo, published by Dynamite Entertainment tells the story of what happened to Captain Apollo between the original Battlestar Galactica TV series and it's spinoff TV series Galactica 1980. After sustaining serious injuries during a battle with the cylons, Apollo's career as a viper pilot has come to and he must re adjust to life as a bridge officer. However, he choses to sacrifice himself to save the rag-tag fleet when the cylons strike again. This is a well written story which I think would have been a great season finale episode had there been a second season of the classic Battlestar Galactica TV series.

Rogue One A Star Wars Story

I put this movie right up there with Empire Strikes Back as far as the story goes. It was great seeing a story which involved the battle between the Empire and the Rebellion which I grew up with back in the late 1970's and into the early 1980's. ILM did a good job with re-creating Peter Cushing's Govanor Tarkin and the A New Hope era Princess Leia Organa. Hearing Carrie Fisher's voice as Leia at the end sort of made me choke up a bit considering Carrie passed away recently. It was fun seeing other minor characters from the original 1977 movie show up periodically, especially Red Leader Garven Dreis, Gold Leader Dutch Vender, and General Dadonna(also via the magic of CGI performance capture). Was pleasantly surprised to see our favorite droids C-3PO and R2-D2 make a cameo at the Yavin IV base. This movie blends in so well with A New Hope that someone could re-edit the two into one four hour long film, even though Rogue One is intended to be a standalone story. It's too bad that everyone in Rogue One(the group responsible for stealing the original Death Star plans) didn't survive the mission, but this is supposed to be a war story. Has a bit of a Dirty Dozen and Inglorious Bastards vibe to it. Anyway, that's my review of 'Rogue One A Star Wars Story'. Until next time, behave yourselves and I'll see ya next time, 'later.

Supergirl and Superman On The CW

Really liked Superman's return to the small screen during the first two episodes of Supergirl's second season. I think Tyler nailed the character really well. That's the Superman I remember as a kid. Laid back, but not above calling people on their BS when needed and still able to kick some ass when called for. Tyler and Melissa seem to have great chemistry and they also look like they could be related. Great idea to move Supergirl from CBS to The CW. The writing was good during season one, but it's gotten better so far this season. I'm hoping we see more of Tyler as Superman in the future. Maybe Kara goes to Metropolis at some point where she could team up with Clark to find Alex Danver's dad. Maybe that could be used for the season two finale. Anyway, that's about it for this exciting, action packed blog entry. Until next time, 'later.

TBT:Kenner Turbo Tower Of Power Toys

What's up, people? I'm back from a brief hiatus with another Throwback Thursday edition of this action packed blog. This time, I'll be focusing on Kenner's Turbo Tower of Power(TTP) toys produced in the 1970's. This line was intended to be a spinoff from Kenner's popular SSP vehicle line and also a competitor to Ideal's Evel Knievel line, also from the 1970's. The TTP toys consisted of cars and motorcycles which could be bought seperately or in sets with the tower pump. A kid would pump the lever up and down. Air would travel through a hose beneath the launch ramp and into the vehicle. The vehicle would launch from the tower with flip of the side lever, and it's off to the races(or stunts). Kenner prodeced several vehicles and sets for this line, including a Debbie Lawler set, two Six Million Dollar Man sets(one of those sets is a SMDM/Bigfoot dual launch race set), and Bionic Woman set. Dennys Fisher in the UK also produced sets for The Amazing Spider-Man and Captain America in 1977. The sets and car pictured are from my personal collection. I also have the two Six Million Dollar Man sets. I'm still looking for the Bionic Woman set. I had a really great time playing with these toys back in the 1970's. I wish the line line would have stuck around long enough so we could have gotten some Star Wars themed cars and cycles. That really would have been fun. Anyway, that's about it for this edition. Til next time, have a good one.

Mattel Space:1999 Eagle 1 Spaceship Profile

What's up, people? It's your pal Kevin 'Captmiloman' Nelson with a new action packed blog. This time around, I'm kind of going off in a different direction to show off one of my prized pieces of my vintage toy collection. What you're looking at is the Mattel Space 1999 Eagle 1 spaceship produced in 1976. I bought this from Ebay in 2005. It's missing a few parts and decals. I originally recieved one for Christmas of 1976 and I had really good time with that sucker. It eventually became the main ride for most of my 3.75 inch scale action figures of that time period. Measuring at roughly 2 1/2 feet in length this was the toy to have in 1976. Anyway, that's about it for this blog. Until next time, be good to each other. 'Later.

If There Were To Be A Biggs Darklighter Star Wars Film...

Thinking If Disney/Lucasfilm were to produce a spin off film focusing on Luke Skywalker's old buddy from Tatooine, I think Robert Downey Jr could pull it off despite Robert being in his early 50's now. Just though I'd throw this out there.

CBS/Paramount Sets Guidelines For Future Fan Films

On the heels of CBS' recent lawsuit against Alec Peters and the producers of the now defunct production 'Axanar', they've set guidelines for future Star Trek related fan films and there are a lot of hardcore Trek fans who are pissed to the point that they're organizing a boycott of anything related to CBS/Paramount, including next month's Star Trek Beyond feature film and CBS' currently in development new weekly series set to be broadcast on CBS' All Access streaming service. Personally, I think these fans are directing their anger towards the wrong people. All CBS is doing is protecting what is legally and rightfully their's. All this anger should be directed towards Alec Peters for engaging in illegal activities. When a supposed fan film raises over one million dollars via crowdfunding, hires professional actors(many of them Trek actors and members of the Screen Actors Guild), bring on veteran special effects artists, and constructs a high tech production studio with plans of using said studio for future profit making films, the production is no longer a fan film. It's an indie film produced without the consent of the copyright holders(CBS/Paramount). The new guidelines seem to be pretty lenient compared to that of Lucasfilm which are actually pretty strict. These guidelines only concern future fan productions and not such ongoing productions such as Star Trek Phase 2 which from my understanding has recently ended their run and Star Trek Continues. Another Trek fan production, Renegades has recently switched gears and has since dropped any connection to the franchise and is continuing onward as its own thing. These guidelines also doesn't cover any long form audio productions. Anyway, I just needed to get this off my chest. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. Until next time, behave yourselves out there and be good to one another. 'Later.

World's Finest Feature Film, What Might Have Been

After watching Dick Cavett's interview with the late Christopher Reeve from 1992 on the Decades TV network this morning, I'm thinking that a World's Finest movie with Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Chris Reeve returning as Clark Kent/Superman would have been a better follow up to 1992's Batman Returns than 1995's Batman forever. I think that movie would have done well at the box office. What might have been had Chris not been injured in that horseback riding accident in 1995. Anyway, that's all I really have to say in this blog entry. Until next time, be good to each other and don't do too many evil things out there. 'Later.

Castle Series Finale

What's up, everyone? It's been a little while since my last blog post. Anyway, I just watched the series finale of Castle. Yes, after eight seasons, ABC decided to cancel the Nathan Fillion series. It seems like there were two closing scenes filmed. The scene in which Castle and Beckett were shot in their apartment and laying on the floor holding hands for the eighth season finale and the 'seven years later' scene for the series finale. Not sure why the producers decided to include both. Just wanted to throw this out there for anyone who might be interested. That's about it for now. Until next time, behave yourselves and be good to each other. 'Later.

Welcome To the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man

Welcome to another action packed edition of The FanboyNewsDesk Blog, ladies and gents. I watched the new Captain America Civil War trailer yesterday and I want to say that I'm really looking forward to seeing what role our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will be playing in this film and how faithful the story will be to the original Civil War comic story arc. I already know there's a few changes due to studio ownership of certain characters and what went down a few years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary, but I can live with that. I also want to say that I'm really liking the new Spider-Man suit worn by actor Tom Holland who is portraying Peter Parker/Spider-Man this time around. Great throwback to the 1960's and 1970's era Spider-Man comics in which Steve Ditko and John Romita Sr did the artwork for during those time periods. Sort of looks like there's also a nod towards the live action Japanese Spider-Man TV series from the 1980's in there, too. Spidey's moving eyes on the mask are an interesting touch as well. Guessing that this might be the suit that Tony Stark developed for Peter Parker, but then again Parker was a bit of a teenage whiz when it came to science and technology in the comics, so it wouldn't surprise me if he did come up the mask's eye movement tech. Anyway, I just wanted to put my two cents worth on Spidey's introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's long overdue. Thank you, Sony and Disney for working this out. Until next time, be cool to one another, and have a good one. 'Later.

Battlestar Galactica Coming To the Big Screen?

Well, it looks like the "sleeping giant" known as Battlestar Galactica might be stirring once again. It's being reported that Universal Studios is finally in early development stages to bring the TV franchise to the big screen, hot on the heels of Disney/Lucasfilm's most recent installment of the Star Wars saga 'The Force Awakens'. Looks like it might be 1978 all over again with Universal wanting another piece of the SW pie. The Galactica story could be taken in many different directions. We've had Ronald D. Moore's re-imagined version from the mid 2000's for example. Personally, I'd like to see Universal take a page from Disney/Lucasfilm and actually go the continuation route and bring back surviving cast members in their original roles leading a younger generation of viper pilots still facing an old foe, the cylons as the fleet continues its seemingly endless search for the 13th colony, believed to be located on a planet known as Earth. If not a continuation, then maybe a Battlestar Pegasus feature film which could retell the story of the destruction of the twelve colonies of humankind from the Pegasus crew's point of view. Just a couple of ideas to throw out there. Anyway, that's about it for now. It's getting late on my end, so until next time, have a good one. Later.

Star Wars Episode VIII & the Previous Expanded Universe Franchise

Filming on Star Wars Episode VIII has began in London. My theory on Episode VIII is that Rey is Luke's daughter. Yes, that's a popular one, but I have to say that I agree with it. I also want to say that I'm actually glad that the current SW Marvel comics are considered canon by Disney/Lucasfilm. From what I've read of these comics, they're well written. The previous Expanded Universe franchise(now known as Legends) had departed so far away from the source material(the films) that the EU had to be rebooted. Seemed like the publishers of those novels and comics were pretty much slapping the Star Wars brand on every manuscript that passed in their direction. I wish that the novels and comics from that time had been paced a little better. Maybe release a novel every two to three years(just like the movies) with the comics used as filler material in between the novel releases. Anyway, that's just one guy's opinion. That's about it for for this blog entry, kids. Until next time, be good, if you can't be good, then be careful, or at least be good at it. 'Later.

RIP, David Bowie(1947-2016)

Rock icon David Bowie passed away over the weekend after an 18 month battle with cancer. He had just turned 69 on Friday and had just released a new album on that day. There was just something right about paying tribute to Mr. Bowie using this photo of Takars's Microman figures. Might be the way these figures could be used in many different configurations in the same manner David was able to re-invent himself many times over the course of his life and career. Maybe it's the sci-fi aspect of David's early 'Ziggy Stardust' personna and The Microman line. Anyway, Rest in peace, Mr. Bowie and thanks for the great tunes and entertainment you provided over the years.

Star Wars The Force Awakens and Episode VIII

I watched The Force Awakens last Tuesday and I just want to thank Disney, Kathleen Kennedy, JJ Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan, and the cast for giving us this great film. This is the Star Wars that I grew up with. As a fan of the franchise since 1977,  I have to admit that I got a little choked up a few times during this film. Probably the most moving scene was of course Han Solo's death at the hands of he and Leia's son Ben(aka Kylo Ren who is the film's main villain). This film featured some of Harrison Ford's best work, IMO. Seeing the big three leads from the original trilogy back on the big screen was like seeing old friends. I really like JJ Abrams' old school approach to film making. Seems to me like this film sort of mirrored certain elements of the original trilogy without being a rehash of what had been done before. There was a great blend of action, humor, and dramatic elements which made the original trilogy great. The scenes between Han and Leia were classic SW. Ford and Carrie Fisher managed to pick up where they left off without skipping a beat. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega did a great job bringing the characters of Rey and Fin to life. Thinking BB-8 is now my second favorite droid next to R2-D2 who in the film had powered down, distraught by his master Luke Skywalker's disapearence. I found myself cheering for Artoo as he slowly powered back up during the film, thinking to myself "come on, buddy. You can do it." I'm hoping we see more of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in Episode VIII. My prediction is that Episode VIII will focus on Luke like The Force Awakens sort of focused on Han and Chewbaca. Would like to see Billy Dee Williams return as Lando Calrissian. Looks like Lando would certainly have a score to settle. Anyway, that's it for now. Until next time, behave yourselves out there and have a good one, 'later.