Looting September’s Crate

By Mick Neeky

Geekdom has taken over the TV, books, social media, and now, your mailbox. The days when hiding your geekness was the norm are over. Now, even your mailman, as he delivers that slick black box to your mailbox, knows what you are: a video-game-comic-book-computer geek. Lootcrate is guilty of fueling our geeky obsession, and I can’t help but thank them. By the end of this article you will too.

Lootcrate is a monthly subscription service that provides geeky items to its customers. For about twenty dollars a month a black box is delivered to your doorstep with about 6 items. Inside the box there are items valued at around forty to sixty dollars, so in truth it’s quite a good deal. Among the handful of goodies you can get in the box of a thousand mysteries, you’ll be getting Lootcrate exclusives, which include anything from a T-shirt (you’ll be asked for a size when you subscribe) to Funko Pops. But the real thrill, if you ask me, is opening the box; the secret of it all is quite euphoric. 

September’s theme was galactic, which means that the arsenals of items range from the most obvious (Star Trek) to the more obscure (Firefly). Time for the goodies. The first thing that caught me off guard was the Star Trek Tribble. Being oblivious to what it was didn’t help my cause in admiring it, yet it’s still cute. Among the collectibles there was an Alien Action Figure, which I plan to keep in mint condition, a Star Wars Han Solo (frozen in carbonite) poster, a wad of Firefly cash, and an exclusive Firefly Funko mystery box. Apart from containing the items in question—exclusives or not—each crate also contains a pin, downloads (depending on the theme), and a handbook with descriptions on each item.

All in all, Lootcrate is worth your twenty bucks. Not only are the items worth more than what you’ll pay for them elsewhere, but the thrill of it all makes for a good surprise near the end of the month. I still hope I get a T-shirt on my next crate—this being my second. This brings me to the only downside: a lack of items I can use on a daily basis to show off my geekiness. Nevertheless, the price is totally worth the thrill and the exclusives. Here’s to you becoming a looter.

Keep it Neeky.

Musical Mayhem: Little Shop of Horrors Review

By. Mick Neeky

Let me begin by saying that Venus fly traps have nothing on Audrey II. Little Shop of Horrors is more than just a mere crossover between an alien plant and a musical. It’s a ride full of laughter, catchy beats, and well-rounded characters.

Alan Menken’s musical comes to life for the second time. The first time Little Shop of Horrors was portrayed in the big screen it was way back in the 60’s. Frank Oz, the director behind The Dark Crystal, takes the helm of this remake and is backed up by big name actors: Rick Moranis (Seymour Krelborn), Levi Stubbs (Audrey II), Ellen Greene (Audrey), Steve Martin (Orin Scrivello), among others. You’ll be impressed by the amount of detail that went into making this musical.

Little Shop of Horrors’ most enjoyable detail is its plot; in which Seymour buys a weird alien plant that is feeds on blood. In any other hands Little Shop of Horrors would’ve been a Horror movie, but it executes a don’t-take-me-serious style that works quite well. Frank Oz shines once more in his approach.

Oz manages to deliver a spectacular Audrey II. It looks beautiful, moves like if it were alive, and sings outstanding. The puppetry behind him is ahead of its time. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I say it.

Now, for the coup de grace: the music. Little Shop of Horrors songs are catchy and entertaining, yet the characters don’t just sing for the sake of it. It’s done as it should be: songs make the story move forward. I kept going back for more of Steve Martin’s character (a psychotic dentist) and one of his most laugh-out-loud scenes. Actors like Rick Moranis blend their acting and singing skills perfectly.  It works like a well-oiled machine. Yet, among all the praise and amazement, I do have one problem: Audrey. Her singing doesn’t sink with her characters squeaky voice. Most of the time it’s so annoying, it becomes a distraction.

That’s all for September’s musical. Little Shop of Horrors is a must see,—despite Audrey’s annoying voice—take my word for it. And remember to suggest your favorite musicals. Till next time!

Keep it Neeky.

Skyrim: The Addiction is Real

by Mick Neeky

I am a Dragonborn whether I liked it or not. Anyone who hasn’t played Skyrim would think me crazy, but do you? Has Skyrim swallowed your social life and spat it out in a glorious shout? I’ve got to say that after years of murdering, stealing, and tomb robbing; the thrill hasn’t faded.

My story of addiction is simple—maybe even similar to yours. A few years ago I bought Skyrim, back when the hype was well under way, and slayed dragons to my heart’s content.  Oblivious to the main storyline, I absorbed souls with only one shout at my disposal. Pillaging and discovering uncharted territory became my mistress. Whenever I grappled onto that controller I wasn’t me anymore, I was an Argonian resistant to poison and capable of breathing underwater. Life was good—Skyrim life that is.

The real world faded into the background, but then again, which world was more awesome? Then the unthinkable happened: DLC. I, fearing for my social life, traded Skyrim in for credit.

A level 42! An Argonian. That was I. All that time roaming through Skyrim wasted. For years I didn’t miss it, until a few months ago when a friend (whom will remain anonymous) lend it to me. And the addiction quickly took over my life once more. Blacksmithing, shouting, and most importantly, stealing, ate me up like a glorious bust of dragon fire. So swiftly it took over me that maybe, just maybe, Skyrim needs its own AAA.

Will you join me in admitting we have a problem?