Welcome to today’s edition ofNerd Alert, where we have all the quirky, nerdy news that you crave in one convenient spot. What do we have in store for you on this wonderful Wednesday, the eve of Christmas Eve?Patrick Stewartnarrates a fictional history of BB-8,The Santa Clauseis reimagined as a body horror movie, and a new video illustrates how all movie trailers are the same. But wait, there’s more! A new video breaks down all of the Easter Eggs and references inStar Wars: The Force Awakensand we have a new Christmas movie supercut! To start things off,Neil DeGrasse Tysonbreaks down the science in Star Wars. Sit back, relax and check out all that today’sNerd Alerthas to offer.
Neil DeGrasse TysonExplains What’s Scientifically Wrong WithStar Wars: The Force Awakens
Whenever a movie that involves any facet of science is released, many fans look to famed astrophysicistNeil DeGrasse Tysonfor his thoughts on the scientific plausibility of said movie. Naturally, many were waiting with bated breath for his reactions toStar Wars: The Force Awakens, and earlier this week he delivered his thoughts through a series of factual and humorous tweets. His observations include the “running” style of Stormtroopers, how BB-8 wouldn’t be able to roll in the desert, and much more.
Patrick StewartNarrates The Fictional History of BB-8
Long beforeStar Wars: The Force Awakenshit theaters,BB-8stole the hearts ofStar Warsfans everywhere from the moment we first saw him in the original teaser trailer.Only Leighhas put together an amusing parody of VH1’s Behind the Music, dubbed Behind the Circuits, that breaks down the fictional background of “actor” BB-8, narrated byPatrick Stewart. This hilarious video shows how BB-8 got his acting start in British theater, alongsideJude Law, plus guest spots onDoctor Who.
The Ultimate Christmas Movie Supercut
YoutuberLindsay Italiais certainly in theChristmasspirit, putting together a cleverly-edited supercut chocked full of classic moments from your favorite Christmas movies.Lindsaycuts together scenes fromDie Hard,A Christmas Story,Elf,Home AloneandChristmas Vacation.
Star Wars: The Force AwakensEaster Eggs and References Breakdown
It’s only been a few days sinceStar Wars: The Force Awakensstormed into theaters, and fans just can’t get enough of this blockbuster adventure. DirectorJ.J. Abrams' movie is chocked full of Easter Eggs and references to the original trilogy and the prequels, and in case you missed any of them,Mr. Sunday Movieshas put together a comprehensive nine-minute video that breaks down all of these references for you to explore, before you go back to the theater for more repeat viewing.
The Santa ClauseReimagined as a Body Horror Movie
Vultureis back with another one of their weekly “remix” videos, which explores a much different take on a Christmas classic. With the help of some ominous voice over work and cheesy 80s music, this video turns the 1994 hitThe Santa Clauseinto a body horror movie, directed byDavid Cronenberg.
5 Ways All Movie Trailers Are The Same
This month, movie fans have been treated to a slew of trailers from some of next year’s biggest movies, such asBatman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeandX-Men: Apocalypse, with theDeadpooltrailer arriving onChristmas Day.Screen Ranthas put together an intriguing video that shows five ways all movie trailers are essentially the same. This video points out how the original track Mind Heist fromChristopher Nolan’sInceptionspawned a number of similar “foghorn” sounds in many movie trailers that followed, while other tropes like “The Bass Drop,” “Ominous Voice-Over,” “The Montage” and “The Final Gag” have been around for years.
A New Poll Reveals 30% of Republican Voters Support Bombing of FictionalAladdinCountry
A new report fromThe Washington Postreveals some disturbing news about Republican voters and their aversion to the fictional country of Agrabah.Public Policy Polling, which often poses loaded questions to GOP voters, asked over 500 people if they would support the bombing of Agrabah, without mentioning that it was the fictional city in Disney’s animated classicAladdin. 30% of Republican voters were in favor of the bombing, while 19% of Democrat voters would support this bombing.
That wraps it up for today’sNerd Alert. Do you have any suggestions for futureNerd Alertcolumns? Hit us up on Twitter@MovieWeband send us your suggestions, and it may even make it in the next edition. Check back on Friday for the latest installment ofNerd Alert.
