Hey Everybody, Rick here and I have to say that I will miss writing these for the site until November.
Especially with what happens in this episode!  But alas, I will hold true to my non spoiler clause to leave what is seen in the episode a surprise as per usual!

What 's the episode called?: The Name of the Doctor

Who's responsible?: Current Doctor Who showrunner and insane genius Stephen Moffat.

What's it about?: The Doctor and his friends face off with the Great Intelligence as he tries  to reveal the Doctor's longest held and darkest secret.   His own name.

How did Rick Like It?: The opening teaser is insane.  I was absolutely gobsmacked by how  they pulled off what they pulled off and it caught me completely off guard.  The result is beautiful and seamless in a way that I never anticipated.  There are new villains called the Whisper Men and they are terrifying.  The twists and turns throughout are wonderful and that final revelation is.....wow.   No words.  Mainly because I want nothing to do with spoiling it.  We however do get to see the Doctor's final resting place for his (presumably) 13th and final incarnation and the repercussions of all his time travel throughout the past 50 years.  The huor and the action as usual is spot on.  This is one of the best of the season for sure!

Final Rating: A strong way to end the season and one hell of a cliffhanger to November!  A+

Next Up: Well, no more  Doctor until November BUT there are a couple of things coming out that I will be doing a weekly thing on for sure!  The first of which is....

Welcome to our 4th Annual Summer Movie Preview!  Rick and Andrew take a look at the movies that have already kicked down the door for the summer, and take a look at the movies that come out this summer.  They also get a little overexcited and in typical fashion, take a look at the remaining slate for the year!  Enjoy and thanks for listening!




Podcast Powered By Podbean


Download this episode (right click and save)

Neil Gaiman returns to the Doctor and brings us what is probably one of the most insane episodes of this season yet!  Read on below!

Title of the Episode: Nightmare in Silver

What's it About?: The Doctor, Clara, and the two kids that she babysits (who blackmailed her to get a trip on the TARDIS) visit the universe's greatest theme park that has been long since abandoned but a long thought extinct enemy, the Cybermen lie dormant awaiting the arrival of someone....

How did Rick like it?: This is my favorite episode of the season.  No, really it is.   The Cybermen are some of my favorite Who Villains and this episode does not disappoint.  Especially when the show takes a turn from crazy to balls out insane in a way that I could have never anticipated.  I cannot say anything because this is heavy spoiler territory.   I will however say that we definitely get to see the Cybermen do things that we have never seen them do before and it is cool.  Very, very cool.  The character of Mister Clever is wonderful and how they pull it off is really something to see in action!   Easily the best of the season and one fantastically creepy episode to boot.

Final Rating: A+

Next Up: We prepare to take a break from the Doctor in his final Adventure this season and probably learn something more about him that we have never thought we would ever learn in......

Welcome to the United States of Geekdom, the show that talks about what makes us Geeks go tick.  We
bring you our 62nd episode in which we are joined by our friend of the show Colleen Medina as we talk about love scenes that simply have no place in an otherwise decent movie.  We get a little bit potty mouthed but it's all in good fun.   Definitely one of the few shows where Cole and Andrew manage to break Catherine and Rick multiple times.  Enjoy and thanks for listening!  



Podcast Powered By Podbean

Download this episode (right click and save)

When we started United States of Geekdom, our original mascot was a small poodle named Remy. Sadly, tragedy struck with him and we were left without a proper mascot. That is, until we talked about the very man who this tribute is about.

Ray Harryhausen is one of those people so creative that you think that he had powers beyond supernatural. In many cases, I cannot argue this logic. Mr. Harryhausen made what can be considered as true movie magic in the sense that back in his day (which, to recall a running joke is truly Old Hollywood), there was no benefit of CG. There was instead stop motion and a lot of patience. Mr. Harryhausen was a master at both.  The skeleton fight scene in Jason and the Argonauts took a total three months to shoot the creatures doing their thing.






One of my first movie memories is going to see the original Clash of the Titans at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood and marveling at Pegasus flying and being scared witless to the awesome Kraken. Both of which were brought to life by one man. Ray Harryhausen.  Clash of the Titans continues to be one of my favorite movies of all time; if nothing else, because of this scene right here...



I had no idea that the process that Harryhausen used was called Dynamation.  I found that out when my mom bought a VHS tape of classic monster movie trailers and a three minute long feature on the cinematic process was in there describing the work used in the 7th Voyage of Sindbad.  It also sparked the imagination of this geek and made me seek out all of Harryhausen's films.


I must say that while I never had the opportunity to meet the man himself. Our own JediCole however, did and he recounts his meeting with Mr. Harryhausen here. Ray Harryhausen influenced many, many filmmakers up to and including Groege Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, Guillermo Del Toro, Rick Baker, Peter Jackson, Nick Park, Edgar Wright, John Landis, James Cameron,and many, many more.  The guys at Pixar paid him an awesome tribute by naming a  restaurant after him in 2001's Monsters Inc.

Back in 2010, one of our first five episodes of the show, we talked about Mr. Harryhausen and while doing so, I was working on painting a little wooden dinosaur who would become the replacement mascot for the dog that I had tragically lost.  It was only appropriate that the dinosaur be names Ray, after the man who was the very topic of the episode.  This dinosaur, has been the faithful mascot of the show since that day and honestly, I can't think of a better tribute from us.  Ray Harryhausen's legacy will live on because of the creative minds his works has influenced and will continue to influence.  As will his indelibly unique work in the world of cinema.  Thank you Mr. Harryhausen.

Greetings USG!  JediCole here with a very special edition of Show Me Yours.  As always I hope to
persuade our listeners and readers to send in photos of their collections along with a few short anecdotes about favorite items in the collection, memories of how certain things were acquired, or anything that might enhance the experience of others seeing what you have. 

This time however we have a  new take on Show Me Yours. This took a bit of time to produce as most of the footage was taken at different times and life has that funny habit of getting in the way sometimes (Hence, the resulting extraordinary delay.).  During that time a variety of USG staff and friends of the USG have been around to see my studio (a.k.a. The Temple of Self-Indulgence). It is in this room that the bulk of my personal collection, which our own Andrew Farmer described as “Herculean”, is housed. While Andy’s description comes the closest of any I have ever heard there is simply no substitute for seeing this room yourself.  These videos will go a long way toward illustrating that fact as everyone in them can attest.

Rick had the idea one day of capturing on video the reaction of “first timers” – those who had never experienced the scope of the collection. In fact our friend Stu had once asked how many things were on the Desk of Time Wasting Distractions alone. The off the cuff count came in at a minimum of 250 different items (not including the computer, pencils and pens, or the little supply drawers. The overall tally for the room is probably growing dangerously close to 1000 things (not including posters, trading cards, postcards, and other artwork on the walls).

So what is it like to walk for the first time through the door to this room, flanked from above by an X-Wing and a Y-Wing Fighter from Star Wars and a door festooned in posters, trading cards, and collectible coins? How does one register a space crammed full of super-hero, Star Wars, pop culture, dinosaur, and animal toys, action figures, glasses, and stuffed toys? Well you will just have to watch the following videos and discover that for yourself!

First up we have the Midnight Movie Cowboys’ own Hunter Duesing. He was in town around Christmas 2011 (before he moved back to Dallas) and joined a group of us for lunch. We had a great time with friends and family that day and then came the tour of the collection which spans most of the house.  But what can be found in the other rooms of the house ill-prepares anyone for the last stop on the tour.  The last stop with good reason!  Take a peek at what Hunter thought:



Next a two of our Geek Chicks get to see what the famous studio is all about.  Andrew has said that he is rarely speechless, but when he visited himself one evening during All-Con 2010 his initial reaction was to be dumbstruck.  That is an effect that is not uncommon as some of these reaction videos reveal.  Krystle and Jacque have their first glimpse below.



Stephanie Hancock and Joe Titus of Arlington's own Zombie Manor had joined the fun for Dollar Store Christmas last year.  And of course a visit to the studio was captured by Rick during the evening.  Here are a pair accustomed to shocking others in a Halloween haunt kind of way.  So it is only natural to shock them in a "How much stuff can fit in one room?" kind of way.



And now more Geek Chick fun!  Our own Loran (who is in the process of welcoming a new geek to this world as we post this!) and her then fiance/now husband Joe opened the studio door to give us their reaction to an initial viewing.  Sometimes even I am a bit taken aback by what all has been amassed here over the years.  It certainly is the best possible environment for recording USG episodes or writing for this and my own website.



And last but by no means least, the final video in the series (probably for now).  The man who traveled nearly 9,000 miles to hold the world record of distance traversed to see the TOSI, Stu from the Midnight Movie Cowboys!  Watch as he takes the pleasure from the studio!  (Okay, I could not resist my absolute favorite Blade Runner reference, with apologies to Stu.)



Remember, we want to see YOUR collection!  E-mail us the pictures of your collection (or even video!) to jedicole@yahoo.com or unitedwegeek@yahoo.com.

Hey Everybody Rick here with an on time Weekly Doctor Visit!  As usual, spoilers will be refrained from,
and fun will be had!

Title: The Crimson Horror

What's it about?: Siluran Madama Vastra and her companions Jenny and the Sontaran Strax are investigating a mysterious case involving victims being found with red skin.  But where are the Doctor and Clara in all of this?

How did Rick Like It?: There is some creepiness abound in this episode!  Part of it involves the work of the legendary Diana Rigg and her daughter Rachael Stirling playing a mother and daughter in this episode. I had to watch this episode twice though to fully enjoy everything that was going on because a lot happens in the span of an hour or so.  Having said that, it was a nice breath of fresh air to have the focal characters not as the Doctor and Clara, but rather Madame Vastra and her crew.  The big reveal is pretty creepy and a fun twist on the proceedings to be sure.  One thing that I did LOVE was Strax and his non-knowledge of how Earth stuff works.  One scene in particular where he argues with horse is one of the highlights of the episode.  Definitely a fun episode but one that is a bit weaker than last week's adventure in the TARDIS.

Final Grade: B+

Next week.....

Neil Gaiman is back and he has brought back some friends!

Rick here with a twofer Doctor Visit  Like I said, baby prep and a few personal situations going on this past week really took an emotional toll on things for me and also sapped away a ton of my time.  That said, better late than never, right? With that in mind, I figured I would get both reviews done for last week and this week and get caught up in one shot.  As usual, I will refrain from any major spoilers.  Ready? Here we go!

 HIDE

What's It About?: The Doctor and Clara investigate a ghostly presence  in a mansion but it seems like it will be much more than a regular haunting.

How did Rick Like It?: Of the episodes this season, this is one that I was looking forward to quite a bit because I love a good ghost story.  Ultimately, it did not disappoint.   The performances were fantastic throughout, including Dougray Scott as the professor who is investigating the haunting before the Doctor and Clara make their appearance and  take matters into their hands.  The twist in the episode is fantastic and  leads to even more fun moments.  Definitely a strong episode but a touch weaker than the previous weeks' Cold War.

Final Verdict: A-

Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS

What's It About?: The TARDIS crashes and the Doctor and Clara are separated.  They now have to traverse the whole of the TARDIS to reunite and stop a catastrophic event from happening.

How did Rick Like It?: We get to see areas of the TARDIS that we have never seen.  It is known fact that the TARDIS is bigger on the inside, and this episode we get to see just how big.  There are some decent jump scares and some crazy action beats.   All in all, it is a nice way to take the Doctor and his companion off the world hopping for an episode and yet again give them a claustrophobic environment that stands on its own as its own world.   The neat thing is that we get to see some really important things that exist within the confines of the TARDIS.  One of which is the Eye of Harmony, the power source of the TARDIS.   Some other surprises abound and a hit at what is to come later this season as well!  Fun, fun stuff.

Final Verdict:  A


NEXT UP......

Hey Everybody, Rick here with a really cool bit of video from the masters at Studio Ghibli.  If the name does not sound familiar, they are the ones responsible for such classic anime films like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, and my favorite, Spirited Away.  They have been likened to Disney in Japan.  That is how great quality their work is.  Here is their latest, which is a live action effort and the monster in this short film was designed by the head of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki himself.  Definitely worth a look and perhaps one of the coolest things I post this week!  Enjoy!