Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Archetypes of a Generation (Part 2)

PART II

"Leonardo leads,

Donatello does machines,

Raphael is cool but crude,

Michelangelo is a party dude."

In Part 1, I provided a brief summary of my "Ninja Turtles as Modern Jungian Archetypes" theory. In this section, I will examine each individual turtle and the dispositions they personify. I will point out the values and flaws of each archetype and provide examples of each found elsewhere in popular culture. In the end, I hope to leave you with the knowledge to discover your own inner Turtle and seek out those who match the other archetypes. In doing so, you too can form a team with which to take on life's Tokkas, Razors, Shredders, and Foot clans.


A short disclaimer before I go on: There are many teams in contemporary fiction that fit a similar dynamic to the TMNT. I'm sure every generation has a ragtag group of ruffians up to any challenge. For some, it may be the A-Team. For others, it may be the gang from Scooby-Doo; but for those in my age group (those born roughly between 1980 and 1995) it is undoubtedly the Turtles, and I think they are the most clearly defined iteration of these timeless character types.




LEONARDO

• Character Type: Team leader. The Samurai. The General. The White Knight.
• Description: Leonardos get all the glory. Defined by their devotion to duty and purpose, and usually singled out as the glue that holds the team together. They are often seen as the "face" or "frontman" of any group to which they belong. Leo's mask is blue (a symbol of masculine virtue) and his weapon of choice (the katana) is that of a Samurai warrior, representing a dedication to honor above all else.
• Strengths: Unwavering confidence and determination. Leonardos can rally the troops no matter how bleak the odds. Their infectious enthusiasm enables them to connect with and relate to the other personality types, allowing them to inspire and maintain confidence and drive within the group.
• Weaknesses: As natural leaders, Leonardos have only themselves to look to for guidance. Even if there is a higher authority to consult in times of crisis (Master Splinter, for example) their cryptic wisdom is meaningless in the moment, and can only be deciphered through the hardships of personal experience. In moments of self-doubt, Leonardos often struggle to maintain the optimism needed to bring out the best of their teammates.
• Analogous Characters: Harry Potter; Tommy Pickles ("Rugrats"); Henry V (Shakespeare); Aragorn ("Lord of the Rings"); Dr. Raymond Stantz ("Ghostbusters"); Danny Ocean ("Ocean's 11"); Jason the Red Ranger ("Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers"); etc.

DONATELLO

• Character Type: The Brains. Scientist. Bookworm. Scholar. Tech-Savvy Wiz-Kid.
• Description: More concerned with intellectual fortitude than physical combat, Donatellos are often the unsung heroes of the group. Donatello's weapon of choice (a simple Bo staff) is itself a symbol of his utilitarian intelligence, as if to say "Bring it on, with your adorable bladed weapons. I've figure out how to take you out with a FUCKING STICK, you ingrates!"  His purple bandana indicates that his genius includes an impeccable fashion sense.
• Strengths:  While able to hold their own in battle, a Donatello's true value becomes apparent during the moments between fight scenes, when only a sharp mind can succeed where kicking some serious shell just isn't enough. Their greatest contributions are born out of a penchant for absorbing and applying the vast knowledge at their disposal. Whether building/operating advanced technologies, uncovering obscure but essential factoids, or using science and deductive logic to unlock the secrets of the ooze, Donatellos epitomize the concept of brains over brawn.
• Weaknesses: In real life, those who fit the Donatello archetype would be shoved in a locker before you could say "Cowabunga" without backup from the other three. Their inherent weaknesses are similar to those of the common nerd (i.e. confrontation, pretty girls, pet dander, etc.)
• Analogous Characters: Q ("James Bond" franchise); The Doctor ("Doctor Who"); Hermione Granger ("Harry Potter" franchise); Dr. Egon Spengler ("Ghostbusters"); Velma ("Scooby-Doo"); every "hacker" character in popular fiction; etc.

MICHELANGELO

• Character Type: The Comic Relief. Clumsy Jester. Light-Hearted Hedonist.
• Description: The class clown, equally amusing and obnoxious. Michelangelo's signature Nunchuks incorporate a lot of comedic spinning and flailing in combat, implying that even the intensity of violence is laughable. Orange, the color of his bandana, is associated with safety and often used to set objects apart from their surroundings (warning signs, traffic cones, etc.). This represents both his function as a "safety valve" on any tension within the group and his over-the-top, extroverted personality.
• Strengths: Michelangelos make sure we don't take ourselves or the challenges we face too seriously. No matter how dire the situation, a Michelangelo is never without some low-brow quips and a silly face to make light of it. The levity they contribute is a vital component in the optimum group dynamic. Michelangelos act as social lubricant, greasing the wheels for collaboration and ensuring that we don't take ourselves too seriously. In times of crisis, their goofy one-liners allow us to laugh in the face of insurmountable odds. Though their foolishness is often looked down upon, Michelangelos are the key to maintaining motivation and morale.
• Weaknesses: If you've ever stood in a soul-crushingly long line after an even longer day and the person behind you feels compelled to make loud obnoxious "jokes", amusing only themselves as you grind your teeth and strain to avoid eye contact, then you are familiar with the downsides of the Michelangelo personality. Arguably the most self destructive of the four, their pathological need to be a one-man-party tends to get on everyone else's nerves at one point or another, but as long as they are entertained by their own antics, they see no reason to curb their behavior. This self-satisfied disposition, if unchecked by a group dynamic, will eventually manifest as a lethargic disregard for self-improvement.
• Analogous Characters: Shaggy ("Scooby-Doo"); Dr. Peter Venkman ("Ghostbusters"); Chandler Bing & Joey Tribbiani ("Friends"); Ronald Weasley ("Harry Potter"); R2-D2 ("Star Wars"); Eric Matthews ("Boy Meets World"); Ed ("Shaun of the Dead"); etc.

RAPHAEL

• Character Type: The Loose Cannon. Hot-Headed Renegade. Brooding Anti-Hero. 
• Description: While Michelangelo is cracking wise about the problem at hand, a Raphael will always be first to say: "That's real cute and all, but we're kinda in some deep shit here." They deal strictly in harsh truths and have little patience for anything less. His use of the Sais (a pair of three-pronged daggers) in combat represents his up-close-and-personal approach to confronting adversity and a willingness get his hands dirty where others might hesitate. His bandana (being red) is universally understood as a symbol of passion and emotional intensity.
• Strengths: Raphael's fiery temper and perpetual pessimism hint at a passionate personal commitment to constant improvement. Their anger and negativity are merely the byproducts of a deeply emotional attachment to the group and it's goals. Their intense focus and determination, unrivaled by the other types, manifests as antagonistic skepticism. In the planning stages, a Raphael takes it upon themselves to play devil's advocate and find flaws in everybody's ideas (including their own). Raphaels are never satisfied. They keep us striving for perfection, even if that means pissing everybody off. And when the shit hits the fan, a Raphael relishes the opportunity to throw themselves into said shit,  guns blazing.
• Weaknesses: Dealing with a Raphael is not only frustrating, but the value of their input is rarely apparent. The blazing passion and intensity that form the basis for their unique assets is largely internal and thus not always apparent. 99.9% of the time, they come across as buzz-killing Debbie-Downers. No matter what the group may accomplish, the Raphael always has a few "Yeah, but..." derisions to drag us back to earth. Their constant criticism may appear to be holier-than-thou proclamations of superiority, but are actually projections of a constant internal struggle between an insatiable need for improvement and a crippling self-doubt. The time and effort they put into second-guessing themselves in the interest of perfection is usually externalized as hostility and resentment for those who don't seem to be taking things as seriously. In their defeatist psyche, none of us are up to the task at hand (least of all, themselves).
• Analogous Characters: Wolverine ("X-Men"); Holden Caulfield ("The Catcher in the Rye"); John Bender ("The Breakfast Club"); John McClane ("Die Hard");  B.A. Baracus ("The A-Team"); Severus Snape ("Harry Potter"); etc.

The united, indomitable force.

And there you have it! The four personalities essential to achieving a unified force greater than the sum of it's parts; the archetypal models for the generation now facing adulthood. Look closely at your peers and the color of their metaphorical bandana will show through. While it may be easier to make friends with those who share your inner turtle, surrounding yourself with the other three can be infinitely more effective. If you can put your differences aside and learn to play off of each others strengths, you will find that the resulting collaborative energy can be applied to anything the group sets out to achieve. It's not always fun, but the eventual results will consistently prove fruitful for those willing to stick it out.

So, which Turtle are you? Who are the Michelangelos, Leonardos, Donatellos, and Raphaels in your life? How do you/can you apply this archetypal structure to your day-to-day? Is this just a bunch of drawn-out bullshit? Please continue the discussion and leave your comments below!

Humpday Horror with the Jolly Goblin: "Automaton Transfusion"

Automaton Transfusion (2006)

Starring: Garrett Jones, Juliette Reeves, William Howard Bowman

Directed by Steven C Miller

Low-budget movies are a bit of an anomaly to a critic.  Am I to judge a movie that was filmed in nine days for $30,000 in the same way that I would judge a big summer blockbuster?  If movies like The Evil Dead or the more recent Paranormal Activity have taught us anything, it's that you don't need a boatload of money to make a compelling piece of cinema.  Miller knows this, and set out to make a movie far bigger than his budget aloud.

The movie opens to introduce a pretty generic cast of characters, with the most interesting part being a couple that includes a popular girl named Jackie (Juliet Reeves) and punk rock dude named Chris (Garrett Jones).  Clearly, their groups of friends don't see eye to eye and that causes a bit of tension.  They end up going their separate ways for the day, with Jackie going to a big party and Chris going into the city to see a band.

Soon, they both come to discover that there are zombies afoot, and bloody carnage ensues.  Everything is set up for either Chris or Jackie to go on a mission to save the other, but this movie doesn't go with a plot quite that predictable.  Unfortunately, it doesn't really replace it with anything else.  The couple reunite fairly quickly and the movie just meanders for the remainder of the runtime.

The opening scenes remain my favorite part of the movie, despite the fact that when zombies occasionally show up, nobody seems to notice.  These opening scenes have something that no other part of the movie has, though.  They have a camera that actually sits still.  The "shaky cam" in this movie is offensively bad and only succeeded in pissing me off every time zombies came on screen.  This is especially a shame because the gore is the one highlight of the film.  There's a lot of it, and it's rather new and interesting in some cases.  I just wish we could actually see it.

The plot is loose at best, and the script is pretty atrocious.  Like I said, it meanders after the first act, and I can't honestly say I understand why the characters did any of what they did throughout the film.  On top of that, the editing is terrible to the point that I couldn't really understand what was going on at certain points.  It was like there was an extra part that they forgot to shoot, which, given how quickly this movie was shot, is very likely.

The acting isn't any better, and the characters come off about as flat and two-dimensional as you would expect in a low-budget splatter flick.  In fact, almost everything is about what you'd expect for a low-budget splatter flick, and that's the problem.  It's all so completely derivative that you will just end up with the feeling of, "been there, done that."  That's not to say that you can't do a plot that's been done before and make it work, because you can.  Dance of the Dead has an almost identical plot to this one on paper, but it has characters that are interesting, dialogue that's well-written, and they know how to keep the camera still occasionally.  There's nothing wrong with hitting all the traditional beats, but Automaton Transfusion hits them all off-tempo and out of tune.

Finally, the ending (or lack thereof).  Do you remember the ending of The Matrix Reloaded?  Do you remember how well it was received that the movie ended with a blatant, "to be continued?"  Well, because it worked so well in that movie, they decided that it would be the best ending for this one as well.

All in all, Miller succeeded in one thing and one thing only.  He did make a gory, action-packed zombie flick.  In some cases that might be enough to make up for the shallow, muddled plot and lack of interesting characters, but when you can't see the action because the cameraman is having a seizure, it's most definitely not.

1/5

The Jolly Goblin (aka Zak Greene) has more to
say about horror films than anyone I know.
And yes, it hurts to admit that.

Humpday Horror with the Jolly Goblin: "Hobo with a Shotgun"

Hobo With a Shotgun (2011)

Starring: Rutger Hauer, Molly Dunsworth, Gregory Smith, Brian Downey, Nick Bateman 

Directed by Jason Eisener

Back in 2007, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino gave us Grindhouse, a tribute to the old cheap exploitation flicks that showed in the types of theaters after which the project took its' name.  I call it a project because it was much more than movie, it was an experience.  Grindhouse had two full feature-length films and a whole slew of fake trailers, including Jason Eisner's Hobo With a Shotgun.  Fortunately for us, much like Rodriguez's Machete, this has been turned into a full-length movie.

The film opens on our hero, the Hobo (Rutget Hauer), arriving at Hope Town (or as the graffiti on the sign tells us, Scum Town) via a freight train.  All he seems to want is to buy a lawnmower, but Scum Town is a nasty place, and that plan gets put on the back burner as he gets fed up and spends his saved up money on a shotgun instead, beginning a one-man war on crime.  However, the Drake (Brian Downey) runs all of the crime in Scum Town, so he doesn't take too kindly to some homeless man messing up his business, and he sends his two sons to track this hobo down, pry the shotgun from his hands, and end him.

Along with the Hobo, there is the hooker with a heart of gold, Abby (Molly Dunsworth) who rounds out the cast as the only other likable character in the movie, and one of the very few who have any development at all.  Every single other person is either a rapist, murderer, child molester, junkie, or sadist.  Plenty of canon fodder for the oncoming slaughter.  Good riddance.

This movie is depraved.  When there isn't a head being ripped off by razor wire, there's a pair of tits being sprayed with blood.  Not to say this is disturbing, however, because this movie quite obviously doesn't take itself all that seriously.  If you are a fan of the Troma catalogue (The Toxic Avenger, Terror Firmer, Poultrygeist) then you'll know exactly what to expect, but for those of you unfamiliar, I'd liken it to something similar to The Evil Dead 2.  It's so completely over-the-top in its' gore that it becomes comedic.  This isn't Hostel, and it's all the better for it.

To add to the Troma feel of the movie, the acting is incredibly awkward and just as over-the-top as the gore.  Some may be a bit off-put by this, but in this kind of movie, it didn't really bother me all that much.  Based on his previous efforts, we already know that Hauer is a great actor (Blade Runner, The Hitcher), so I can't help but believe that it was entirely intentional.  Then again, seeing anyone deliver the laughable dialogue in this movie with a straight face will only make it all the funnier anyway.

The splatstick gore and corny dialogue can get a little bit tiring, but fortunately, as soon as it starts to wear out its' welcome, we are introduced to The Plague, a couple of bulletproof, leather-clad robot knights who ride motorcycles and chop people up with ease.  They are absolutely ridiculous, and make everything else seem tame in comparison, yet when they arrive you know it's for one reason… to kick ass.  There are little hints here and there of a long elaborate backstory, but they never give one to us, which is a smart move.  Sometimes things are just cooler when they're left mysterious, and this is certainly one of those times.

While Hobo With a Shotgun isn't a movie for everyone, those of you out there who like this type of thing are going to love it.  The sheer amount of fun that this movie offers is more than enough to make up for any shortcomings it has.  Not to mention, Eisner managed to do something that Rodriguez and Tarantino both failed to do, and that's make an authentic feeling exploitation film.

Check it out.  It's playing in very few theaters, but it's available On Demand.

3.5/5

The Jolly Goblin (aka Zak Greene) is a Connecticut-based
artist/film enthusiast/ friendly bridge troll. He's awesome.

A Goodbye to Good Eats

Last week, it was announced that the Food Network series "Good Eats" will come to an end after nearly 13 years and 249 episodes. It is a show that will not only change the way you look at cooking television but the way you look at food. Period. Host/mastermind Alton Brown (aka the host of "Iron Chef America") forged a gold standard which nobody before or since has even come close to, using nothing but a superhuman enthusiasm for knowledge. For that alone, he deserves a statue in the nerd hall of fame.

Food Network is an odd thing. It began simply enough: professional chefs walking viewers through the steps of preparing an exquisite meal. Initially, this lead to a lot of unqualified people attempting grand culinary experiments at home. Suddenly, everybody with a kitchen fancied themselves a gourmet just because they sprinkled everything with goat cheese. A few thousand stove fires and dicing accidents later, a lot of us decided to leave the cooking to the pros. By the mid-late 1990s, Food Network wasn't so much teaching us to cook as it was providing pornographic gauntlets of temptation for budding fatsos.

And then in 1999, there came a man who had grown dissatisfied with the quality of American cooking shows and took it upon himself to create the solution. Alton Brown, with his horn-rimmed specs and creative flair for visual aides, used "Good Eats" to deconstruct the cooking process down to the underlying scientific principles. Each episode provides a comprehensive explanation of everything from thermodynamics to the chemistry of flavors, then uses that knowledge to help you make the best freakin' grilled cheese humanly possible. The secret ingredient is science, and it is delicious.

On May 11, 2011, Mr. Brown announced via Twitter that he would be ending production on "Good Eats" this year. And while I'm eager to see whatever he does next, I'm sad to see it go. Below are a few clips that best exemplify the show's playful enthusiasm and laymen-friendly teaching style. I dare you to not learn something.

Congratulations Nick & Maria!!!

When two nerds love each other very much, they gather their friends and family to witness them exchange power rings and pledge allegiance to each other's awesomeness. To watch two people totally geek-out over each other is a thing of immense beauty, with a hint of quirk.

On Saturday, May 14, 2011,  I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at such an event: the wedding of Nicholas and Maria Ludwig. It was a jubilant and touching occasion rife with high-fives, good vibes, and the tasteful application of Converse All-Stars.

But why post about it? Because aside from being (at the time of this writing) the first official "followers" of Nerdgasms & Geek Rage (GO LUDWIGS!), they are also passionate and intelligent individuals who are positively filthy with talent and creative energy. Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to spitball, workshop, and collaborate on various endeavors in music, film, comedy, and everything else with one or both of them. Eventually, some of our work may even see the light of day on this very blog.* Relevance attained!

But even more than that, they were both once seniors at Cheshire High School who were kind enough to tolerate an angry misguided 9th grader who had already worn out his welcome amongst most of his peers. Through their friendship they taught me to embrace the dork side and revel in the weird. As a freshman and sophomore, having the upperclassmen stamp of approval allowed me to discover and explore my unique nerdiness without the fear of being beaten up or outcast. They encouraged me to be me and let me know when I got carried away.

I'm sure it didn't seem like much to them, and that reading this may leave them puzzled or even mildly creeped-out. But their friendship has always meant a great deal to me, and I was truly honored to be at their wedding. And now that they are one, not even god can save us from the awesomeness they will unleash! CONGRATS, GUYS!!!

The happy couple and I visual recreating the history of our friendship.

*Currently putting the finishing touches on "Die Ralen Inter Silent", an avant-garde short spoof made by Maria, Nick, and myself based on another short film we were involved in. I'll be posting it here within the next couple weeks!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Catching up on some light reading.

Back on Monday for take 2! I think I'm about to be starting to get a hang of this thing, maybe! Enthusiasm!

Coming Soon: "Humpday Horror"

Precious Readers,

So... this is awkward. I was hoping to start a recurring feature today in which my good friend Zak "The Jolly Goblin" Greene reviews horror movies. The horror genre has always been my guiltiest of pleasures, and no one I know has more to say on the subject than Zak. He quickly agreed to do so last week and I look forward to his first piece, but at the moment he has yet to send one in*. And seeing as I felt the need to publish two posts yesterday, I have nothing but this awful filler to post today. Hooray for learning experiences!

Any-hoo, check back next Wednesday for the first installment of Humpday Horror with the Jolly Goblin. I believe the first review will focus on the recent grindhouse throwback-flick "Hobo with a Shotgun", so look out for that. Until then, find Zak on Facebook and badger him into submitting his first review (deal with that, Jolly Greene!), and come on back tomorrow for more of my mindless musings!

My Bad [trademark shrug],
The Dented One


*ADDENDUM* In yet another of my classic blunders, I posted the above mere minutes before realizing that Zak's well-written and detailed review has been sitting in my inbox since Saturday. What an hilarious mix-up, no? 


Zak's "Hobo with a Shotgun" review will be posted next Wednesday as promised 

Games. For Serious.

Whenever I see somebody applying prolonged logical thought to something that the "mainstream" (whoever that is these days) might consider "silliness" or "tomfoolery", I get a warmth across my heart and a pep in my step. If happen to overhear two people in what sounds like an intense personal conversation, but upon closer inspection is about the moral implications of Doctor Who episodes, I have to laugh. Not in a mean "check out the simpletons" kind of way, but rather a laugh that says: "Oh, good! I'm not alone!"

But when someone elevates a seemingly nonsensical nerdy pastime to the point where it could benefit society, I stand and I applaud them, regardless of my surroundings. ("Even in a library, Mike?" Yes, imaginary reader! Especially in a library! So there!)

And so it was when I discovered the Extra Credits series on EscapistMagazine.com. The fine folks at Extra Credits (James Portnow, Daniel Floyd, and Allison Theus) have elevated the gamer mentality to high philosophy. Each week, they release a 5-10 minute episode that will leave you wondering why video games were ever considered toys. They cover everything from manufacturing and marketing to characterization and narrative structure to the evolution of the medium and beyond.

As someone who spends less than 200hrs/yr playing video games, I could hardly call myself a "gamer", and yet there's still something in every episode that I find utterly fascinating. The video below is particularly relevant to modern life and involves applying the core concepts of gaming to improve education techniques. Enjoy!

Do yourself a favor and check out their other videos here.

Please, Mjolnir! Don't Hurt Him!

If you're like me, then you occasionally tire of the insightful, if pretentious, film reviews of educated cinephiles and film snobs. Sure, they're able to appreciate film in ways that aren't immediately apparent to the average viewer, and some can actually enhance your viewing experience. But sometimes, you want a fresh perspective. Something with a bit of hustle, and perhaps a pinch of flow...


Well, then you are in for a treat! NextMovie.com has been recruiting some of hip-hop's finest for Rappers Review Movies. No fussing over intentions of the filmmaker or the mise-en-scène. Just some dope MCs dropping knowledge about the latest theatrical releases.


Below is my current favorite: MC Hammer reviews Thor using as many hammer-related puns as possible. I recommend you also check out the Insane Clown Posse's review of Water for Elephants.

MTV Shows

Origin Stories: Putting the "I" in "T.M.I"?

For our inaugural post, I thought it would be appropriate to examine the concept of the "origin story". For some, revealing a beloved character's backstory will induce and sustain a raging nerd-on long enough to require medical attention, but the same revelation will send others into bile-fueled fits of geek-on-geek violence. It is impossible to predict which devotees will react in which way,  but they never fail to turn against each other at the drop of  the word "prequel".

Origin stories are the leading cause of message board bloodshed, but it's something the nerd brain craves. Any Star Wars fan who claims they weren't fully erect when they heard George Lucas announce that he was going to make the prequel trilogy is a filthy, disgusting liar. After 20+ years of speculating based on information provided by the original films, what could be better than a brand new trilogy chronicling the rise of the most iconic villain in the history of cinema? Greatest idea ever, right guys...?

As it turns out, no. Millions of nerds who would have taken a bullet for Mr. Lucas in 1998 were assembling their sniper rifles on the outskirts of Skywalker Ranch by the autumn of '99. But why? Isn't this what we wanted? And if not, than what did we want? Considering that this old and distant galaxy we so loved comes entirely from the mind of Darth Fat-Neck (the former Master George), who are we to say that Episodes I-III aren't as legitimate as IV-VI?

But regardless of it's legitimacy, the Anakin debacle led many critics and aficionados to conclude that origin stories are best left untold. Anything that can't be said in a few lines of expository dialogue is indulgent and monotonous. There are many examples to support this claim. Michael Myers (Halloween) was infinitely more terrifying before the remake let us in on his traumatic beginnings. The intentional ambiguity of the Joker's origins in The Dark Knight turned a violent looney tune into a chaotic force of nature. Characters that aren't meant to be identified with on a personal level usually benefit from the assumption that they simply materialized, fully-formed and raising hell.

While I cannot deny that the arguments against exploring a character's history are spot-on, for the most part, I am always excited by the idea of an origin story. I like seeing Bruce Wayne work through the issues that culminate in his decision to don cape and cowl. I sqeed in girlish delight when I read about  Severus Snape's secret longing for Lily Potter. And I LOVE Lost, largely because of it's dedication to fleshing out every character's past.

A well-told origin story transforms a fictional character into a relatable human being, even if they have super powers. So when you find yourself complaining 30 minutes into the next Spiderman movie because he hasn't yet slipped on his trademark spandex, try to remember that there's a confused teenager behind those web-shooters. He's going through some serious shit right now! (spider-bites, sticky hands, pretty girls, bullies, etc.) How do you think he feels?

First Post Friday!

WELCOME TO NERDGASMANIA!!! 
Take off your pants, throw your keys in the bowl and grab a blindfold, 'cause it's about to get awesome up in here! This blog will be a pop culture bacchanal for bespectacled shut-ins like myself, devoted to the art and science of nerding-out. Throughout the week, I'll be giving you the skinny on anything that strikes my fancy, then offer my pathologically over-thought opinions on why it should or shouldn't strike the fancies of others. Occasionally you can catch me waxing rhapsodic on the things that I feel deserve to be waxed rhapsodically, all for your amusement!

Why, that sounds both entertaining and thought-provoking!

But wait, there's more! In addition to all the sharp wit and manic deconstruction, I'll be keeping the world at large (that's you guys!) up-to-date on the various projects and creative pursuits of your's truly (thats me!), Mike "The Dented One" LeClaire. You read correctly: the one-and-only, currently unemployed writer/filmmaker/comedian/actor/one-man-band Mike LeClaire (again, me) will be subjecting the public (still you) to his multimedia creation-things and debuting original content on this very blog!.. weekly!

Absurdly analytical commentary on popular culture AND exclusive original content spanning all forms of media, all free of charge?!?! Looks like it will indeed be getting awesome up in here...


Hugs and Kisses,
The Dented One