Four Out Of Five Of 2015's Most Anticpated Films Are Geek Related

With DC and Marvel's announcements of what is to come over the next few years movie wise, coupled with Disney's plans in regards to Star Wars films, I for one have lots of movies that I am looking forward to seeing starting next year. A survey taken by Fandango indicates that the majority of our populations taste in films is very close to my own.

What is the most anticipated movie of next year?

Not only is this movie on the top of my list, but mostly everyone elses. That movie is none other than Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The full top five are:

1.  Star Wars: The Force Awakens
2. The Avengers: Age of Ultron
3. The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay, Part 2
4. 50 Shades of Gray
5. Jurassic World

I will admit my own morbid curiosity will have me checking out 50 Shades Grey. Hey, every millionaire playboy can always pick up some new tricks from a fellow millionaire playboy. I am curious as to what the demographics were for the survey as far as gender and age group, but chances are not too many men are interested in that movie.

With the leader of the Avengers star Robert Downey Jr. the top contender for favorite male performer and Hunger Games star Lawrence taking up the mantle in the female category and driving the returning franchises for 2015, Star Wars newbies John Boyega and Daisy Riddle have made their own breakout lists.

I don't think any of the movies on the list are a surprise to anyone, but it does show the continued increase in popularity of the Geek genre related films, which is fangasmic news to this Geek.

What upcoming film are you excited most about for 2015 and beyond?

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.

WIn a Tie Fighter Pilot Costume From ANOVOS and Nerdist News!

Now that I finally have my Stormtrooper armor complete and I am actively trooping with the 501st, I am looking for the next costume to add to my wardrobe. I have been considering a TIE Fighter Pilot as my next venture, but that all black flight suit could be the death of me in the Vegas heat. However, who am I to turn down a chance to win a TIE Fighter Pilot costume from ANOVOS and Nerdist News.

That's right! Nerdist and Anovos are giving you the chance to win a TIE Fighter Pilot costume as part of their Holiday Giveaway.

Here's the description of the costume from the Anovos website:

Replicated from existing artifacts at Lucasfilm Archives, this suit features details never before seen on licensed costumes, right down to the full leather belt and metal belt buckle. Unlike other items that may proliferate the Illegal rogue markets of the Empire, all armor pieces and buckets feature finished interiors for the maximal comfort and efficiency of the pilot. That also includes the environmental / air features built within the helmet, allowing the helmet to be worn longer periods at the time.

The costume has a $1,500 value. For the details on how to enter, all you have to do is make the jump to light speed over to Nerdist.

I tweeted my entry to win. Have you? Good luck and May the Force be with You.

(via Coffee with Kenobi)

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.

How To Get Replacement Blu-Ray Discs For Batman '66: The Complete TV Series

If you're a Batman Fan like me and purchased Batman: The Complete Television Series on Blu-Ray or DVD, you undoubtedly noticed the defects in the product instantly. Namely, missing narration from Executive Producer William Doziers voice over as Desmond Doomsday in the pilot episode, the majority of the next weeks villain bumpers, and the missing scene from the Marsha, Queen of Diamonds, episode and were also left wondering...Has Warner Brothers dropped the ball? Is this our just deserts after waiting so long for our beloved series to come to DVD? Will we ever be able to really get the complete television series?

Fear not citizens! Warner Brothers has begun to get back to inquiring purchasers of the series with instructions on how to acquire replacement discs with corrections to the aforementioned defects and then some. So, here's the Bat Skinny on what to do and what they are offering:

If you haven’t done so already, you must register at www.shipment-service.com/batman66 and provide complete contact and shipping information for the replacement program for specific discs within Batman: The Complete Television Series on Blu-Ray and DVD.

The information provided will allow us to quickly service your needs upon availability; for Blu-ray sets - discs 1 and 5 will be replaced; and for DVD sets - discs 1 and 8. You will need the UPC / barcode number from the box set to complete your request.

So, if you haven't already, request your replacement copies and watch Batman as it was meant to be...Complete.

Here's the original press release regarding the problems and the fixes:

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) will provide fans with replacement discs and digital repairs to the few minor technical issues identified in its recent release of Batman: The Complete Television Series.

Amounting to less than five minutes of footage within the 50-plus hours of entertainment, the issues encompass one 60-second dropped scene in the episode entitled “Marsha’s Scheme of Diamonds”; a brief piece of rarely-heard William Dozier narration that originally opened the pilot episode, “Hi Diddle Riddle”; and an assembly of villain tags from the end of assorted episodes.

“The restoration process of this footage – spanning 48 years and two major studios – has been a super heroic task, and we deeply regret even the smallest of glitches occurring in that process,” said Rosemary Markson, Senior Vice President, TV Brand Management & Retail Marketing, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. “We recognize our obligation to the fans of this landmark series, and we have worked diligently to identify all issues and provide resolutions as quickly as possible.”

To resolve these issues for consumers purchasing Batman: The Complete Television Series, WBHE will make available complete replacement discs for the discs that originally included the episodes “Marsha’s Scheme of Diamonds” and “Hi Diddle Riddle.” The villain tags will be re-issued as an assembled string on one of the aforementioned discs and, as an added bonus, WBHE has acquired rights and legal clearances to both a Bat-vehicle teaser that originally aired as part of the second season-opening “Shoot A Crooked Arrow” episode, and one of the original promotional tags that aired on the original showing of the “The Duo Defy” episode. Additionally, all fixes will be made to all Digital HD versions of Batman: The Complete Television Series.

To obtain the replacement discs, consumers who have purchased Batman: The Complete Television Series are directed to http://www.warnerbros.com/help/customer-service.

Worldwide demand for the Limited Edition box set of Batman: The Complete Television Series has been tremendous, resulting in widespread retailer sellouts and rapidly dwindling inventories heading into the holiday season. To fulfill consumer interest, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has announced a new streamlined Blu-ray™ box set that includes all 120 episodes and matching enhanced content from the limited edition set, but without the added premium items or Digital HD copy. Purchasers of this set will also need to utilize the customer service website to obtain replacement discs.

(via The 1966 Batman Massage Board)

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.

Holy Toll House! Classic Batman '66 Cookie Jar Is On Its Way From Diamond Select

The Number of Classic Batman '66 collectibles continue to climb, but this is one item I hadn't considered would get made.

However, Alfred and Aunt Harriet were always bringing Dick Grayson cookies. So, I guess this item was a no brainer. This Bat Cookie Jar is on the way from Diamond Select and would look great in my collection. Not to mention, help with my sweet tooth.

You can expect this little Bat Beauty to be available for pre-order this week. It is 12 inches wide and has a retail price of $39.99.

(via 13th Dimension)

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.

Luke and Leia To Be Featured Prominently In Star Wars: Episode VII and IX

  
With just a year to go, give or take three days, J.J. Abrams' Star War: Episode VII is on the way, but even though the first teaser trailer has been released, we still don't know much about the plot or how any of the original cast fits in. But with the infamous Sony leaks making their way around the Internet with all kinds of Geek related secrets, one particular leak reveals what the focus of Rian Johnson's Star Wars Episode VIII and XI is.

The Daily Beast has obtained a leaked Email from Co-President of Production for Columbia Pictures Michael De Luca to Sony Pictures Entertainment Co-Chairman Amy Pascal. Here's what he had to say about the sequels:

"Rian Johnson as you know is doing the main ones, episodes 8 and 9 of the Luke and Leia story lines, after JJ. Not sure anything is gained by looking at what Lucasfilm is doing except we are stalking all these people too."

So, the leak reveals that Luke and Princess Leia will be the focus of the story lines of Episodes VIII and IX. Recently, Mark Hamill stated that the Episode VII: The Force Awakens will focus on the new generation of characters. It could be that the new characters are all racing to find their elder counterparts, but we may have to wait until December 18, 2015 when the The Force Awakens is released or better yet, when more leaks are revealed.

(via Epic Stream)

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.

What's in a Name...New Star Wars:The Force Awakens Characters Revealed

 We can now put some names with the new faces of the latest installment in the Star Wars cinematic universe.

We received our first look at the Internet stir of characters via the the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens a couple of weeks ago. The 88 second trailer has brought about millions of views and continued debates and parodies after its release. Many of those debates questioning who exactly the characters are and what their roles will be in the new movie. Now all five of the new characters seen in the trailer have been named.

By way of some extremely cool trading cards, reminiscent of the vintage trading cards released by Topps for the original Star Wars in 1977, Kathleen Kennedy and J.J. Abrams have shed some light on just who the new gang in the teaser is.

John Boyega, the sweaty unbucketed Stormtrooper we first see in the teasers opening, is Finn. Daisy Ridley, the young women seen aboard the Speeder bike, is named Rey. The "They see me rolling, They're hatin" ball droid is called BB-8. Oscar Isaac, a character I believe was original meant to be veteran Rebel pilot, Wedge Antilles, and seen piloting a new version of the X-Wing , is Poe Dameron. And last, but not least, the Sith looking character with the medieval lightsaber, is Kylo Ren.

There is probably more to Finn and Rey's names, like Solo, Skywalker, or Calrisssian, but we'll have to wait and see what else they reveal in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, check out these cool vintage inspired cards. Star Wars: The Force Awakens December 18, 2015.

(Via EW and Comic Book Resources)

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.

A Stormtrooper That Is Black? How Dare They?

You know...You know what I've noticed? Nobody panics when people get what they expected. Even if what they expected has been done before. If, tomorrow, pictures get leaked to the press, of like, the Millennium Falcon, or X-Wing Fighters and then we seem them in the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, nobody panics, because it's what they expected. But introduce a Black Stormtrooper or new lightsaber design, well then everyone losses their minds!

Besides having peek at what some feel is an impractical lightsaber, our first glimpse at the next Star Wars movie gave us a look at a Black Stormtrooper, which has caused a stir throughout the Internet. Mostly negative from what I have been experiencing.

As most Star Wars Fans know, at least the diehards, Clone Troopers were no longer enlisted by the Empire due to their rapid aging and the Empire had then began enlisting loyal civilians into the Empire's Imperial Forces. Even Han Solo had been in the Imperial Navy at one time. So, it is conceivable that there were Stormtroopers that were black men. Even though we had never seen what was behind the helmets.

In response to all the negative reactions actor John Boyega, the Stormtrooper in the teasers opening, responded to all the rumblings via Instagram with his apprection to those supporting his role in the new film, while also addressing the nay sayers.

Was the Episode VII teaser trailer exactly what I expected? No, and if it was, would it have been as fun to watch? Probably not. I did expect to see some glimpses of the original cast of Luke, Han, Leia, but the fact that the teaser opened with a Black Stormtrooper, I asked myself, "Who's that guy? Is J.J. Abrams going to give us some humanity to the Stormtroopers?"  When I saw the new lightsaber design, I didn't say, "Wow! That's the stupidest thing I have every scene." My first thought was, "How does that work?"

Part of my being a Geek keeps my childlike wonder and imagination in check. One of the reasons I loved seeing this trailer was it gave me the exact same feelings that I had when the original trilogies trailers were released and kept me wondering what was going to happen until I was finally able to see the movie. Why not let it do just that gang? Let's keep the discussions going, but with that same childlike wonder.

A Stormtrooper that is black. A new lightsaber design. Who would have thought these two things would ever break the Internet? I prefer to let positive discussions about the new film do that.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters December 18, 2015.

(via GeekNation)

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.