After 25 years, G.I. Joe is back… and I’m not talking about that shitty Summer movie.

G.I. Joe: Resolute represents an update of the cartoon to match the years that its audience and the world has developed. Major characters die. There’s a sense that the stakes really are high. And Cobra Commander has grown a pair.

I should remember to keep watching the free episodes to see how this whole experiment works out.

OK, this happened a while ago, so I don’t remember things super clearly, but I had been dying to catch what should be the final version of my favorite movie of all time: Ridley Scott’s Bladerunner at the amazing Ziegfeld theater.

A couple weeks ago, I did just that… and it was amazing.

First of all there was quite a line to get in, but everyone in the line already had tickets, so getting in wasn’t such a big deal. Luckily, I was able to grab a seat for me and my lady right in the middle of the giant ocean of über-geeks and settle in for the show. By über-geeks, I mean there was a guy there with a replica glowing umbrella straight out of the movie. Additionally, they all cheered or jeered as the opening credits played based on each individuals contribution to Blade Runner’s tumultuous history.

Anyway, the huge picture’s quality was absolutely amazing and all the minor edits and tweaks mostly added to an already impressive movie. There was only one groan-worthy moment which came during the pivotal scene where Rutger Haur’s character confronts his maker late at night in his bedroom. During the original scene, Rutger stalks forward, staring down a man who basically represents his character’s God and says: “I want more life… FUCKER!” Unfortunately, in this “final cut” that “fucker” was changed to “father.” Several of the other changes also made things more plain and straightforward, but not with such hamfistedness. It was sad. I groaned.

Anyway, I should remember to purchase this new version on whatever HD format is the best. It remains my favorite movie ever!

Last night I checked out Michael Bay‘s explosive new re-imagining of an 80′s classic (and one of my favorite cartoons): Transformers.

I have to admit, I had very low expectations going in. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Michael Bay movie I’ve liked. However, if you check your brain at the door and let your inner fanboy loose, this new Transformers movie is truly an excitement filled, funny, and really entertaining movie… just don’t discuss the plot when you leave the theater.

Anyway, it was just awesome to hear our old friend Prime’s voice again. Sure, I had some issues with the changes to the characters, the lack of time spent with the decepticons, the fact that the decepticons spoke another language which seemed extremely xenophobic, and the fact that every black guy in the movie acted like a fool (yeah, that’s not counting the military guy whose only job was to call for backup), but the bottom line is that the movie thrilled me for 2 and a half hours.

I have to remember to check out the inevitable sequel they so obviously set up.

I find myself in a bit of a musical funk lately. It’s not that I’m not finding amazing music to listen to, because I am. (I’m mad for the remix of The Sohodolls’ Stripper and Jamie T’s Shiela.) The problem is that with so much music digitally at my fingertips (over 8000 in my iTunes library), none really get replayed over and over to the point of them sinking in and defining moments in my life. That makes it even more difficult to remember things because music plays a huge roll in helping the brain recall events down to the tiniest emotional element.

Anyway, back in the 80′s things were different. There didn’t seem to be an overwhelming amount of music available and everyone seemingly listened to the same things. C’mon, everyone loved the Take on Me video, right? Now, through the magic of the internet I can reminisce about those times and remember the feelings associated with them.

Don’t forget to watch all the videos in this amazing 80′s video database.

I can’t remember (surprise) exactly how it came up, but yesterday while waiting for a meeting with some other people, I found myself saying: “Hey, remember that cartoon in the 80′s where that kid could transform into a red corvette?” Of course, someone starting singing “Little Red Corvette” while another person said: “You mean Transformers?” Surprisingly, though, someone else blurted out “Oh yeah! Turbo Teen!” Yeah, Turbo Teen!

It started to come back to me. So, this morning I did a quick Googling only to find that a lot of people with better memories than me were still talking about this rediculous 80′ cartoon that only ran for one year. I distinctly remember that my older brother hated it and would do his best to get me to change the channel, but really there was nothing else on… just Turbo Teen.

The premise goes like this:

Brett Matthews was just an ordinary teenager with a hot sports car until one stormy night, an accident caused him to crash into a laboratory where scientists were testing a fusion ray. Brett and his car were hit by a beam and as a result, the two merged into one. Though Brett still appeared normal, whenever he was exposed to heat, he would change into car form as he has now become the revved-up Turbo Teen.

Don’t forget the opening to Turbo Teen.