areaseven

If you can't stand today's wrestling shows, how about going back to old-school pro-wrestling on your cable TV? This year, the WWE will launch a premium channel called WWE 24/7: WWE on Demand, featuring over 75,000 hours of footage from the WWF, WCW and ECW, plus old-school material from AWA, Jim Crockett Promotions and Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Now if only they'd also include FMW matches...

Time's almost up. Post another question after two hours, maxjenius81.

Beyond the Mat: Ringside Special Edition Imagine Entertainment/Universal Pictures, 1999, 2004 Written and directed by Barry W. Blaustein Not Rated. Contains graphic violence, drug use and profanity. "Tonight, we have a chance to say, 'Yeah, you're right. We're too extreme. We're too wild. We're too out of control. We're too full of our own sh*t.' Or we have a chance to say, 'Hey, f*ck you, you're wrong! F*ck you, we're right!' Because you have all made it to the dance. 'Cause believe me, this is the dance!" - Paul Heyman Professional wrestling - it's scripted, choreographed and filled with cheesy acting. Yet over the past 50 years, it's been an important part of American television and pop culture. But what makes it attract so many viewers every year? Why do others pursue a career in banging other people's heads against a ring turnbuckle? Hollywood screenplay writer and long-time wrestling fan Barry W. Blaustein (Coming to America, The Nutty Professor) goes behind the scenes to find out what makes sports entertainment tick in Beyond the Mat. "Put me on the card. Let me bring some asses to the seats. Pay me. I don't care if I'm the champ. I don't care if I'm the waterboy. Just let me be part of the show, and I'll do my share." - Jake "The Snake" Roberts By itself, the original R-rated release has been hailed by critics (whether or not they liked wrestling) as the most important documentary on professional wrestling, thanks to its in-depth coverage of the WWF and ECW, as well as interviews with WWE owner Vince McMahon and former ECW owner Paul Heyman. BTM also chronicled the everyday lives of wrestlers Terry Funk, Mick Foley, New Jack and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Viewers discovered some interesting developments between these wrestlers. For example, Roberts has a daughter who hates him, not just because of his drug addiction, but because of the fact that his wrestling career prevented him from being a father to her. Foley actually has an attractive wife who just wishes for the sake of their kids that he would stop his hardcore antics (especially in front of them on the "I Quit!" match against The Rock at the Royal Rumble in 1999). Funk is a caring family man fearing retirement due to severely bad knees (of course, everyone's lost count on how many time's he's come out of retirement). Heyman's ECW production setup is no different from "Wayne's World." The atmosphere backstage is completely different from what you see on TV: The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mankind chatting about their families, former WWF booker Vince Russo lecturing about selling injuries, etc. "My mother was 13 years old when I was born. Why? Because my dad raped a little girl that was in a room asleep. My dad was going out with my mother's mother. There you go. There's some bones for Jake the Snake." - Jake "The Snake" Roberts This director's cut adds a completely new intro, where a young Blaustein watches a live wrestling show and sees a wrestler going home with his wife afterwards. Of course, at that age, you'd also wonder what happened to that wrestler's in-ring character. This release also rightfully earns the title of "The Movie Vince McMahon DOESN'T Want You to See!", as it has additional interviews from former WWF superstars (skillfully edited to contrast what Vinnie Mac and the WWF staff say about the company). Justin Credible says that WWF demoted him to USWA because he wanted time off with his wife. Afa the Wild Samoan was fired for taking a day off because his wife gave birth. Koko B. Ware and an unnamed executive were canned for a backstage altercation. There's even a very friendly conversation between Foley and The Rock backstage after the "I Quit!" match. In addition to the previously unreleased footage, BTM: Ringside Special Edition features an exclusive dinner interview with Mick Foley and Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Plus, additional commentaries by Blaustein and Terry Funk. Whether or not you watch wrestling, you have to check out Beyond the Mat. However, if you are a wrestling fan, you must buy this DVD. It's definitely well worth it. BTW, the movie still uses the WWF Attitude logos. I'm surprised that neither the WWE nor the rabid Pandas have sued Universal yet. Rating: A+ Reference The Internet Movie Database

No way. I ain't touching any water-cooled system with a 10-foot pole.

He may not sell comic books as fast as he sells chokeslams, Pedigrees and RKO's, but Rob Van Dam has a 5-star computer. Check it out. Vandaminator

Good thing I didn't bump into any HG staff. BTW, Solscud007, I saw your car at the parking lot on Saturday.

SPOILER ALERT!!! Do not read further unless you've reached episode 24. After suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of Sailor Mars, Nephrite is confronted by evil Sailor Mercury, who just smirks at him. Enraged, he attempts to kill her, only to be further humiliated by Kunzite. Meanwhile, Usagi-chan is waiting at a crosswalk when she notices Mamoru right near her. Not knowing that the light is still red, Usagi-chan crosses the street. Mamoru runs at her and pushes her away from oncoming traffic. "You idiot! What were you thinking?!" yelled Mamoru. Later on, Mamoru and Hina are packing up for their upcoming transfer to England. He tells her that he's going out to pick up something. At a science building, he's lured by Zoicite's piano music. Zoicite tries to tell Mamoru to remember his past as Endymion. Mamoru refuses, telling Zoicite that he has only one life. He goes outside and talks to Hina on his cell phone. The conversation is cut short when he's attacked by Kunzite. Hina rushes to Crown Karaoke and asks Motoki where Mamoru is. Usagi-chan and Mako-chan happen to leave the building when they see Hina. Upon hearing that the last thing Mamoru mentioned was Kunzite, Usagi-chan and Mako-chan rush to the science building. Tuxedo Kamen is having his @$$ handed to him by Kunzite. Zoicite tries to interfere, but gets zapped for his troubles. Sailor Moon arrives to save Tuxedo Kamen and defeat Kunzite, but uses up all of her power in the process. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars defeat the Yoma of the week. Sailor Moon is still worried about Mamoru, so she asks Tuxedo Kamen if he's seen him. He says no. Using the last few ounces of her strength, she struggles to walk around the building, looking for Mamoru. Tuxedo Kamen follows her, trying to tell her it's no use. Completely exhausted, Sailor Moon collapses. "You idiot! What are you trying to do?!" yelled Tuxedo Kamen. At that point, Usagi-chan realizes something she didn't know all the time. She removes Tuxedo Kamen's mask to reveal his true identity... Next Week on Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon The death of Tuxedo Kamen?

Also on hand were Lou Ferrigno promoting his autobiography My Life as The Incredible Hulk, and former WWF superstar Virgil (I have no idea why he was there. RVD probably didn't know, either.)

Anyone catch episode 2 yet? It's freaking hilarious, especially when Ban sees an office chick stuck under a pile of rubble. Ban: "Are you okay? You're really cute, aren't you?" (Pulls debris aside) Ban: "I'm gonna beat that guy for sure. After that, you wanna date me?" Houji: "Don't be so forward!" (Picks up office chick) Houji: "Hey, baby. Because I'm so cool, would you like to go out on a date with me later?" Office chick: "Uhh..." Ban: "Hey no fair! I asked her first!"

Oh yeah, that's right. He did mention something about tossing her salad or something like that.

I was gonna, but I spent the last of my birthday money on an AutoArt 1/18 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec.

Good thing I didn't buy that, even though I collect everything associated with Macross Plus.

Macross Super Dimensional Figure 002 Series Kaiyodo & Movic, 2004 This past Saturday, at the Wizard World Convention in Long Beach, CA, I picked up a couple of these trading figures at US$3 a pop. And I must say that I'm very impressed by the way Katsuhisa Yamaguchi designed these small figures. Here's a review on the two that I've opened so far: -- Variable Type VF-1J Valkyrie (Millia type) Even though it's roughly half the size of the Banpresto Valkyrie, this toy is much more impressive, thanks to its innovative design. Sure, you have to deal with a lot of tiny parts, but each mode is nothing short of impressive. Many argue that Toynami's MPC has the best Gerwalk mode, but they're dead wrong, as this mini-figure takes that title (and yes, it actually looks better than Yamato's 1/48 in Gerwalk mode). For every Valkaholic, this is one that should be in your collection. Fighter Mode: B+ Gerwalk Mode: A+ Battroid Mode: B- -- Action Figure Type VF-1J Armored Valkyrie Twenty-three points of articulation. By most action figure standards, that's pretty average, but we're talking about a $3 PVC figure that's barely three inches tall! The head can move up, down and rotate. There are working missile pod covers everywhere: one on each shoulder and four on each leg. No other PVC figure (not even Bandai's Gundam Ultimate Operation figures) can strike a pose like this Armored Valk.A+

I'm pretty rusty on my Gundam knowledge, but I'll make a guess on this: Pasta

1/18 Enzo Ferrari by Hot Wheels. As a diecast enthusiast, I'm very disappointed with the way Mattel is producing their Ferrari replicas. Especially their version of the automaker's most expensive production car. The doors open like the real thing, but there is no locking mechanism to keep them open. The engine cover is made of plastic. Not only does it feel flimsy, it doesn't lock properly. Sadly because of this, I can no longer buy Ferrari diecasts.

I was there myself. Most of the convention was boring, except for the Bandai Entertainment booth. I managed to get my Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex poster signed by Mary McGlynn (Motoko), Richard Epcar (Bateau), Crispin Freeman (Togusa) and Dave Wittenberg (Saito). These guys are really cool in person.

Personally, I don't like Ultra Jetstorm either (especially with the pseudo-YF-19 look), but compared to the other Beast Machines toys, he's actually a pretty good TF.

How about Victoria Zdrok? (Do a Yahoo!, Google or Ask Jeeves search instead of asking for pics.)

1. All Armada toys 2. All Energon toys 3. All Beast Machines toys (except for Ultra Jetstorm)

To paraphrase Iketani from Initial D: "Comparing the Yammies to the MPCs is like comparing chocolate to crap."

Already discussed here.

Take it away, VF19.

True, but the Energon toys are still crap. If only they were as good as Car Robots.

Amen to that.