While Geekadelphia blogger Corey Hulse was registering a new Google Account, this was the Word Verification.

Really, not much else to say. Awesome.

Matt is the one soaring through the air. Photo by Alexander Iziliaev

Parker: How does Indy Hall Night Owls sound, this Wednesday?
Me: Can’t, going to the ballet.
Parker: THE BALLET?!
Me: Dude, I’m classy. I like the ballet.
Parker: I know, but BALLET?! Do you play iPhone games the whole time?

I’m not sure why it surprises so many of my friends, but I really do love a good ballet. I always find myself awe struck by the way the dancers move, especially considering the most elegant moves I make involve walking to the fridge from my couch. The grace, the lightning, the beauty… it is impossible not to get sucked in. And I’m talking about the ballet, here. Not my fridge.

So yeah, I’ll definitely be scoping out Ballet X this week.

For today’s Geek of the Week, I chatted with Matthew Neenan, the co-artistic director of Ballet X’s Fall Series. The world premiere of his piece Jackson Sounds hits the stage tonight through November 20th, and draws inspiration from the students of Andrew Jackson Public School in South Philadelphia.

Anyhow, enjoy the short and sweet Q&A, and try to check out the show if you can. Especially you, Parker. (more…)

The films usually shown in the wee hours at the Exhumed 24 Hour Horror-thons have become a thing of legend among the film buffs and cinephiles of the city. The films that occupy those late night slots usually have both plots and production values that are so bad they simply have to be seen to be believed.

For those that have missed some of these late night gems, the fine folks at Exhumed are now doing a “Best of the Fest” series showcasing some of these films. They are starting the series off with an insane double bill of Raw Force AKA Kung-Fu Cannibals and Lady Terminator. These two films were both personal favorites of mine due to their sheer insanity, and if you have a soft spot for bad cinema like I do you really need to check both films out.

The show will be taking place Friday, Dec 16th at 7:30 at the International House and as usual both films will be screened in 35mm, with tickets costing a mere $12.  Check out synopsis for both films after the jump!

(more…)

Meh, who wants to actually talk to their children, especially on Thanksgiving when you’re gathered around a large dinner table as a family? Asking questions about why we celebrate Thanksgiving, what’s the deal with the turkey, etc? Psh. No one, that’s who.

Well, thanks to the folks at the National Constitution Center you won’t have to explain a thing, as “millions of students across the country will learn the origins of the most-celebrated holiday in America…with the latest installment of the National Constitution Center’s popular webcast series, Constitution Hall Pass.”

The latest episode, entitled The History of Thanksgiving, went live on Monday on the Constitution Center’s official website. And starting today, educators and students can log onto the Constitution Center’s website to chat with members of the NCC’s education staff for additional insight.

For more information, and a great excuse to not speak to your children and watch football, visit the Constitution Center’s official Hallpass website.

Thanks to some brilliant marketing, The Muppets has become the must-see film this holiday season. I remember when the film first started production, some wondered if the film would even be able to find its audience again, since the characters had been away for so long.

Well, I think those fears have definitely subsided as the film is finally set to hit our screens this Thanksgiving, and everyone is once again geeking out about the Muppets. The film definitely has a great cast and a really interesting choice for a director in James Bobin, since he is probably best know for directing the BBC incarnation of Ali G and The Flight of the Conchords.

Here is the official synopsis:

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams), discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds.

To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways.

Well we only have 20 admit two passes for the film, which will be playing Monday November, 21^st at the AMC in Cherry Hill, NJ. Want to check this film out out early? Simply comment with your favorite muppet and why by midnight November 20^th and we will be picking 10 names at random for a chance to check out the film out early!

In the meantime check out the trailer!

A band performing at PhilaMoca. Just picture chiptuners instead.

Are you a fan of the up and coming geektastic music scene in the Philadelphia area? Chiptune is taking America by storm, and Philadelphia is a hub for the Chiptune movement. SKGB is a West Philadelphia based Chiptune aficionado, and he’s coming out with some new tunes!

SKGB is having a Record Release party at PhilaMOCA this Thursday, November 17th. You should definitely check it out. The night starts off with an open mic, bringing new local talent into the Philadelphia Chiptune world. Do you have some Chiptune delights you’ve been dyeing to share with an audience? Guests can hit the stage at 8!

The night officially kicks off at 9pm with Dain Saint (of Cipher Prime fame) who fuses Jass and keyboard to present a soulful 8bit sound. He might throw in some Dubstep for good measure! Next, TreyFrey brings the dance beats to the evening, and I hear his beats are pretty epic.

After these two warm you up for the evening it’s time to listen to SKGB bring his robot overlord loving, bass driven beats to your eardrums. To accompany this awesome 8bit event, PixelSeed will provide visual effects for all of the acts. Why would you want to miss this event?

So go support local music; especially local Chiptune music! For more information, go RSVP to the Facebook event. You won’t want to miss this.

In this week’s Comic Roundup, I review the first issue of the new Avenging Spider-Man series, Marvel’s Point One one-shot and the second issue of DC Comic’s new Huntress miniseries. Let’s Roll!

Avenging Spider-Man #1
By Zeb Wells and Joe Madureira

Don’t let the title of this comic fool you; Avenging Spider-Man is actually the return of the classic book Marvel Team-Up, just with a different name. They have tried to bring back the concept in the past to little success, but I think this time they might have gotten it right.

For the first arc Spider-Man teams up the Red Hulk (more…)

So, it’s nearly the holidays. Everyone is a little bit more cheery, everything is just a touch more festive. But let’s be honest, pretty soon you’re gonna be sick of all that. There are only so many sickly-sweet Gap commercials and gift swaps you can take before you snap, right? Right.

Because we here at Geekadelphia want you to be happy, and because we’re gonna be giving you plenty of our own brand of geeky holiday goodness soon enough, this week’s featured Kickstarter is here to help you stave off the inevitable as long as possible. Today, a bit of horror:

This is not your average student film. This is something much more.

Brian and Jane are a couple who have hit a rocky patch in their relationship, and must decide whether it’s worth it to continue. In an effort to bring them closer and give them some time alone together, Brian finds an isolated house that needs watching for 3 days. However, as the days progress, Brian and Jane realize that the house and its owners are more than meets the eye.

Feel proud to be a part of something that pushes the talents of a group of young people to create a piece of exceptional work, from the brilliant minds at the University of the Arts.

Before you go sucking down another venti half-caff peppermint latte or braving the crowds for a copy of Skyrim at the Gallery, take a minute to support U Arts student Isaac Ruth and his team. Oh, and be sure to watch the promo video; you’re in for a treat.

The Project: The Whispers in the Walls, a short film

Creator: Isaac Ruth

The Sweet Spot: $30 will get you a downloadable copy of the film, but for a mere $800  you can get your own special video of Isaac giving his cat Crappy a bath. If that’s your thing.

Funding Deadline: December 20th, 2011

More Info: Check out the main Kickstarter page for more details and find Isaac on Facebook.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d  like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

Jason C. Poole, either on a dig or the set of Jurassic Park

Two posts about the Academy of Natural Sciences in one day? Damn right.

Cancel your plans tonight geeks, tonight is Science on Tap over at National Mechanics. The guest speaker? Jason C. Poole, the manager of the Fossil Prep Lab at the Academy of Natural Sciences. You might also recognize him from Mega Bad Movie Night and the film Jurassic Park.

Poole will be discussing how, “over the course of three field seasons in Argentina, a multi-organization team excavated a super-massive dinosaur fossil that is approximately 66 million years old. The fossil preparation process for its 400 bones began last August and continues today in the Academy’s Fossil Prep Lab.”

He’ll talk about what a dig is really like, how fossils make their way to the museum, and what happens next. National Mechanics will, no doubt, have some sort of awesome drink special, so head on over.

See you there!

Science on Tap @ National Mechanics
Monday, November 14 at 6 pm

National Mechanics
22 South 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 701-4883
www.nationalmechanics.com

Halo: Combat Evolved was to the original Xbox what Goldeneye 007 was to the Nintendo 64. In other words, Master Chief’s struggle with the Covenant not only sold a lot of consoles, but set a new standard for multiplayer shooters.

A long 10 years later, we celebrate developer Bungie’s contribution to video games by–how else?–playing more Halo. The Spartans’ baton has been passed to Microsoft’s own 343 Industries, and its first order of business was to commemorate a decade of Halo with Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

Frankly, any self-respecting Halo fan owes it to himself (or herself) to fork up the $40 for Halo Anniversary. And that’s for far more reason than the simple fact that it’s a Halo game. This is the most feature-rich, loving revival of a classic game you’ve likely experienced in a long while.

The point of an HD revival is to remind you of the wonderful experience you enjoyed years ago with a fresh coat of paint, but 343 has made that reminder even more powerful. (more…)

First of all, I sincerely apologize for that ridiculous long header. But how else do you phrase something like that? What? You think you can do better? Fine, bring it. Leave your title in the comments, smart guy.

But I digress.

Dr. Jon Gelhaus, an evolutionary biologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences, has been working hard to help improve water quality in Mongolia, heading up a multinational effort to do so. As a result of his hard work, he was recently awarded “Best Scientist in Nature and Environment” from the Mongolian Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism through the Mongolian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Well done sir!

Scientists working in a stream for the Mongolian Aquatic Insect Survey

According to a press release from the Academy, Gelhaus has been “a curator in the Academy’s Entomology Department [and] has been conducting research in Mongolia for 15 years.”

Gelhaus is “the lead principal investigator for the Mongolian Aquatic Insect Survey, a multiyear project to document the diversity of insects that live in or near freshwater and to relate that diversity to patterns in evolution, ecology and water quality.”

He’s collaborated with researchers all over the world to “improve scientific facilities for identification and analysis of biological samples; enhance water quality monitoring standards, and train young Mongolian scientists and students to carry on the work of the initiative.”

Well done, Dr. Gelhaus! We’re proud. To learn more about Gelhaus and his projects, visit the Asia Center section of the Academy’s official website.

“It Could Be Great” Official Teaser 1 from Adam Evans on Vimeo.

Adam Evans, a junior in Temple University’s film program is currently working, “It Could Be Great”, a documentary for IGN’s StarCraft II tournament, IPL 3.

He joined some of the best players in the world, their fans, the tech crews, announcers and broadcasters in Atlantic City in early October of the period of four days to attain about 7 hours worth of footage for what will ultimately be a 40-60 minute runtime. In layman’s terms, IPL 3 (organized by popular gaming website, IGN) is one of the fastest-growing competitive gaming tournaments in the US, with winners competing for a total of $100,000 in prize money.

Originally introduced to the original game through the oft-forgotten Nintendo 64 port, Evans returned to the franchise with the long-awaited sequel, Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty last September. After getting hooked on Justin.tv, a site to which he’d refer to for gaming strategies, watching tournaments soon eclipsed actual gameplay. “Before I decided that I wanted to be a filmmaker in middle school, I wanted to be a game designer. I’ve been a part of game culture since I was a kid. So upon seeing how quickly e-sport is growing in the US, I decided that I’d love to do a documentary on the subject.” states Evans.

His ultimate goal with the film is to elevate the exposure and prominence of e-sports and the culture that surrounds it. And in the very least Evans says, “I hope it motivates someone to either get into the scene, or to get them vocal about how much they appreciate what these people do for our entertainment and for our sub-culture. This film is a tribute to the fans and that is the audience I’m hoping to capture.” Though, he does hope to garner the attention of those from outside of the community. Evans is motivated so much that aside from the blessing of IGN and some resources as a filmmaker from Temple, he supplied the $500 budget to create this film completely out-of-pocket.

Conservatively speaking, he tells us the project should be finished within the next few months, before the end of the year. Speaking for a lot of people, I can safely say that some of us are very big fans of StarCraft (and Blizzard Entertainment in general). Personally, I was impressed by both the size of the gathered crowd and the sheer fact that there was a massive projection screen of a StarCraft II tournament (with play-by-play announcer) at New York Comic Con this year. If that’s any indication, this bootstrapped, passion-empowered film project should be a roaring hit.