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 fantastic Friday? You can check out “honest” posters for some of 2015’s biggest movies,Paul Ruddplays chess withStephen Hawkingand one industrious fan builds his own BB-8 for just over $100. But wait, there’s more! A uniqueJurassic Parkparkour video goes viral and a father builds an incredible DIYStar Trekplayset for his son. Sit back, relax and check out all that today’sNerd Alerthas to offer.
Paul RuddVsStephen Hawkingin Quantum Chess
Sometimes a video comes along that is just so bizarre and hilarious that, even though it really doesn’t have anything to do with movies or TV, you just have to include it anyway.IQIM Caltechhas brought togetherPaul RuddandStephen Hawkingfor a hilarious 11-minute video where these two square off in an epic battle of quantum chess, narrated byKeanu Reeves. Making the video even cooler is the fact that it is directed byKeanu Reeves’Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventureco-starAlex Winter.
‘Jurassic Parkour’ Goes Viral
What do you get when you put an agile “ninja” in a dinosaur costume? “Jurassic Parkour.” Sure, it sounds like the punchline to a corny joke, but two videos fromBrentwood Photographyshow that this is the real deal. The videos feature American Ninja Warrior contestantReko Riveratraining for the hit reality show, except this time he’s wearing a full dinosaur suit. These training exercises look hard enough in normal clothes, so I can only imagine how hard this would be in a full dino suit. Kudos,Reko Rivera.
As many fathers, doDavid Weinberghanded down his old toys to his eight-year-old son. The toys were figures from the originalStar Trekseries, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary later this year. When his son started making cardboard sets to play with these toys, he decided to make an incredible playset that you can see above. You can also learn how to build this for your own child, step-by-step, atInstructables.
“Honest” Posters for 2016 Oscar Nominees and Snubs
This year’sOscar nominationshave been quite controversial, sparking the #OscarsSoWhite protest that everyone seems to be commenting on lately.The Shiznitis eschewing the controversy altogether by showing the lighter side of these nominated movies, creating a slew of “honest posters.” My personal favorite out of this crop is above, forMad Max: Fury Road, which they call an apocalyptic version of Mario Kart, but you can visitThe Poketo check out the rest of this amazing posters. If that wasn’t enough, you can check outCollege Humorfor some Oscar snub posters.
Build Your Own Fully-Functional BB-8 For $120
Even beforeStar Wars: The Force Awakenshit theaters in December, the lovable ball droidBB-8stole the hearts of fans around the world. While you can actually buy a consumer version of this droid from the company that designed it, Sphero,Tech Builderhas put together a video that shows DIY-savvy folks how to build their very own version that can be controlled by your cell phone. The build will cost you $120, which is a bit cheaper than the Sphero version, and you can watch how to build it in this 20-minute video. You can also download the full instructions with tutorials onInstructables.
Cardboard Home Cinema Is… Bizarrre
Have you ever wanted to watch movies while lying on the floor and looking into a cardboard box? You have? Really? Well,Fireboxhas just the product for you, dubbed Cardboard Home Cinema. It’s basically just a cardboard box with inserts that simulates an actual “audience,” so you can get the “theater experience” without leaving your home. You can buy this unique product for $36 atFirebox.
The Wiz Live!Re-Imagined With All-White Cast
Last month, NBC aired the latest in their annual series of live musicals with a new rendition ofThe Wiz Live!. Much like the original musical, the cast was entirely African-American, but nowF-Comedyhas put out a new video that explores the “reverse racism backlash” over the all-black cast.
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 Wednesday for the latest installment ofNerd Alert.
