GeekSugar

Box Office: The Vow Courts First Place

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:05:52 PST

Audiences fell for Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams this weekend, as The Vow won first place at the box office with $41.7 million. The romance just narrowly beat Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington's thriller Safe House, which earned $39.3 million. They were followed by another new release, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, with $27.6 million. The 3D rerelease of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace came in fourth place with $23 million, and last week's box office winner Chronicle rounded out the top five with $12.3 million.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

Celebrating Star Wars in Artful Style

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:31:33 PST

The Star Wars saga returns to big screens today with the release of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D. Undoubtedly lightsaber battles and space travels will look breathtaking in 3D, but we're also excited about the nostalgia of seeing the movies again in theaters. To celebrate Star Wars' big day, we're looking to take a piece of the films home with us. Check out our favorite Empire-inspired prints and posters in the gallery.

26 Geeky Valentine's Day Cards to Show Your <3

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:52 PST

Even though you show your love all year long, Valentine's Day is the ideal excuse to shower your favorite geeks with an extra dose of x's and o's. Pick one of these 26 cards up for the physics know-it-alls, Star Wars-sweeties, and robot-obsessed cuties in your life.

Star Wars LE Xbox 360 Bundle Finally Gets Release Date

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:56:20 PST

The Star Wars limited-edition Xbox 360 Kinect bundle we've all been waiting for finally (finally!) got a release date and price: April 3 for $449. Hurry on over to Amazon where you can skip the midnight release lines and preorder the bundle now.

Not only will this 320GB hard drive Xbox 360 bundle come packaged with Kinect Star Wars (and standard-issue ), but the console itself will be dressed in R2-D2 garb (complete with on/off and open/close sounds), a stormtrooper white Kinect sensor, a C-3PO gold Xbox controller, and a wired headset. Check out more images of the package in the gallery!

10 Cheap and Easy Dates For Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Nerds

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:30:00 PST

Does sitting down with your favorite sci-fi novel, fantasy movie, or comic book sound better than dropping a boatload of cash on a Valentine's Day dinner date? You're not alone. These 10 geeky date ideas are two things - awesomely cheap and easy to pull off for your kindred sci-fi and/or fantasy nerd. Cheers to you!

Throw a Star Wars party for two.
Make some Lembas bread together and watch The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Whip up a batch of Cloud 9 mojitos (complete with mason jar glasses) and have a Battlestar Galactica marathon.
Bake some geeky sweets using Star Wars-themed cookie cutters.
Gift a geeky cookbook and try out a recipe together.
Create your own cocktail and top it off with nerdy ice cubes.
Take in a killer sci-fi classic at your local drive-in.
Make a pink Captain Picard cake to celebrate Valentine's Day and your mutual love for the captain who is number two in your heart.
Make some Earl Grey tea and watch a Star Trek marathon.
Rewatch the first season of Game of Thrones or start a book club for two and reread the series together.

Wares For a Star Wars Home

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:06:52 PST

Star Wars isn't just a movie, it's a way of life. If you can quote the film and know what scene it is based on the music, you might be a superfan. Let your home decor reflect this fact with a few choice pieces. No need to go overboard, but let's just say we had to hold back from buying all of these items.

4 George Lucas Revelations on Star Wars and Blockbusters

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:24:40 PST

Remember your first dose of cinematic geekdom? Whatever your age, it's likely the story of warring galaxies battling an evil Empire with something called "the Force" served as initiation to a lifetime of science fiction fandom.

George Lucas, the master behind the epic saga of good vs. evil in Star Wars recently gave an interview to the New York Times, in which he discussed his feelings towards devout Star Wars fans, and more about the popular films that made him a legend.

Blockbuster Retirement - After decades of involvement with pricey studio films, George is committing his cinematic focus to the more art-house, experimental filmmaking he worked on in film school and the years before Star Wars changed his life.
Indiana Jones 5 - Despite putting the star character in a refrigerator during the most recent Indiana Jones film to the audience's horror, Indiana Jones will make one more appearance on the big screen. Before he washes his hands entirely of Hollywood razzle-dazzle, George is contractually obligated to the fifth installation of the Indiana Jones story.
Star Wars Revisited - Considered by many fans an affront on their beloved films, the director's revision of an early Star Wars: A New Hope scene where Han Solo shoots bounty hunter Greedo in self defense was a necessary change, because it didn't blend with his view of Han as the saga's lasting hero.
On Fanboy Outrage - Further edits to the original Star Wars trilogy during the 1997 special edition release of the films left fans casting George to be just as much of a villain as a science fiction character. He now counters their criticism: ". . . My movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it."

As George himself admits he's drawn to stories with "corn" and heroes at the forefront, it will be interesting to see how his future films follow the same themes of his big-budget work. Will you miss his blockbuster films?

The Warring Stars of the Victorian Age

Kelly Schwarze — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:01:54 PST

We always had a sneaking suspicion certain Star Wars folks were not only from a galaxy far, far away, but had a secret hobby as dignified time travelers. Artist Greg Peltz must've also had this creeping feeling based on the Victorian-style prints he created of Star Wars characters ($125–$349). Chewbacca cuts a dashing profile as a be-monocled "First Mate," and naturally Jabba the Hutt's "Kingpin" is a portrait of the man in charge complete with fancy cigar and top hat.

The numbered and signed nine-by-13-inch prints are for sale through Thrillist in limited edition lots of 75 per image, so hurry and snag your own droid ode to the romance of the 19th century.

Save Mimobot Han Solo From His Carbonite Carrying Case!

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:32:16 PST

Move aside, Princess Leia! Now you can be the hero responsible for freeing Han Solo of his frozen carbonite entrapment. Mimoco is bringing back their pint-sized version of the famous Empire Strikes Back scene.

Round out your Mimobot flash drive collection with the Han Solo Mimobot hidden within a molded carbonite carrying case key chain. The drive, complete with Han's typical smug expression, is for sale in 4GB ($30), 8GB ($40), and 16GB ($50) capacities.

Wrapping Paper For a Truly Geeky Holiday

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:30:36 PST

You've almost got all the gifts in order, but how will you keep them a surprise until the big gift exchange? Keep nosy recipients guessing with presents in geeky disguises. Try traditional wrapping paper adorned with robots or vintage music sheets for an outside that's as beautiful as the inside. Even if you don't have time to buy these sheets, they could serve as awesome inspiration to create your own!