The Nerdist Way

I just want to start off to say this book changed my life in many many profound ways.  Before I go into my review I just want to take this time in my post to thank Chris Hardwick ( @nerdist on twitter) even though I know he will never read this review.  Without further ado I give you

The Nerdist Way: How To Reach The Next Level.... In Real Life
By: Chris Hardwick
Audio Book voiced by Chris Hardwick

This book released on hard cover back on November 1st 2011 (According to Amazon).  If you know Chris Hardwick you may think of the guy who shouts POINTS! on @Midnight or the host of the Talking Dead and Host of Nerdist On BBC amongst many other things.  But at one point he was an author.  When I first ordered this book I was expecting a comedy filled auto biography (because I read those from time to time). What I got was a book that showed me ways to get out of my own way and forge ahead with my idea.  "JUST FUCKING DO IT." Is a quote in the book that resonated with me when I was coming up with the Idea of Generation Nerd.  But enough of me pro-fusing my love for this book.

The Nerdist Way is broken down into three parts.  1. Mind; 2. Body; 3. Time.  Each part told through auto biographical narration of the authors life combined with thought provoking theories. Shape each part of the book and gives the reader things to think about; take away ideas; and helps the reader to find ways to be a better human in general. 

One way in which he helps you is by RPGing your life.  Meaning by creating a visual representation of your honest assessment of yourself and your skills.  It helps you build up Experience Points that you set the values one to help you obtain goals and grow in your life.  He uses a dumbed down form of the Dungeons and Dragons character sheets for you to model your character sheet after. (Though I personally think the World Of Darkness sheet would be more applicable and easier to manipulate than D&D's).  As you go through the book you add to this sheet in sections of the books called Charactersize which means it is a work out for you to do in the chapter.



One of the main points the book makes throughout is this.  "Nerds are hyper self aware and have intense focusing capabilities."  It shows you many ways in which you can use your intense focusing skills to create and become better at everything you could want to do in life.

It goes over a wide variety of topics.  From stress and anxiety, to conquering fears and addiction.  Even during those sections of the book the author stresses you to seek professional help if you truly need it and not to just take his advice or what he is saying in the book.  Which is an excellent thing to do.  In the body section he gives you a basics guideline on things you can do to start you in the direction of a healthy body constructed by his personal trainer.  In the section Time it gives the readers ways to increase productivity; manage time; how to set up goals and reach for them (on a deeper level)

Overall I highly recommend this book.  As I stated earlier it changed my life for the better and I continue to go back and read and listen to it.  My very simple review does not do the book justice.  Chris Hardwick is a much more eloquent writer and speaker than I am.  I implore you.  Go out and read this book.  I give this book a 9 out of 10.  You can find it on sale at Amazon and Barnes & Nobels

Suicide Squad Movie....This Won't End Well

DC Comics has decided to make a film adaptation of the Suicide Squad.  An obscure government funded group of convicts implanted with explosives into their skulls are sent on missions to make the world a better place.....  FUN TIMES!?... Right?..... Right???  Lets take a look at how this can all go oh so wrong.

Writers: Ross Andru; Robert Kanigher; John Ostrander and Justin Marks.  So Three of the comic's writers and one screenplay writer.  The Screenplay writer Justin Marks is known for his work on Street Fighter The Legend of Chun-Li.....

Director: David Ayer I have some hope for.  He has a good few movies that did fairly well under his belt in both directing and writing and producing.  

The Cast this is where a movie can be made or broken if not done right.

IMDB has some of the cast listed as rumored and IGN has the cast as confirmed. Hmmmm  Lets analyze

Jared Leto: Joker (IMDB Not listed at all not even rumored; IGN is saying Confirmed)
Tom Hardy: Rick Flag (According to IGN) Simply Rumored and not given a character by IMDB
Jai Courtney: Boomerang (According to IGN) Deadshot (Rumored According to IMDB)
Will Smith: Deadshot (According to IGN) and listed as Simply Rumored and without a character by IMDB
Margot Robbie: Harley Quinn (According to IGN) Confirmed on IMDB
Cara Delevingne: Enchantress (According to IGN) Not listed on IMDB
Jesse Eisenberg: Lex Luther (Listed as Rumored in both IMDB and IGN)

Why the Joker?  The Joker has NEVER been a member of Suicide Squad in ANY of it's incarnations so why throw The Clown Prince of Crime into this rag tag group?  For the Harley/Joker love story?  It doesn't work with the premise of the story.  Even by the groups leader Amanda Waller's standards finds Joker far to unstable.  There is no need to throw Joker into the mix.  For that matter there is no need to throw Lex Luther into the mix either.  Unless they are going to go a new route and have The Joker and Lex combine forces to create The Suicide Squad... I can see that working but the partnership would be far to strained to last long.

What would the story even be like.  As Amanda Waller isn't even listed as a character who is going to be the Nick Fury of this unstable group of bomb strapped expendables? 

Why Tom Hardy? He has been established as Bane and a damn good Bane to boot.  Why have him portray Rick Flag? By this I am guessing it is going to be the grandson as the original Rick Flag was in the WWII incarnation of Suicide Squad.

Needless to say I am not all that hopeful for this movie.  However I will continue to keep my eye on the development of this movie.

Update:  nerdist.com has confirmed the cast of Suicide Squad still having Lex Luther as just being rumored.  Adding to the rumored cast list.  Amanda Waller has 3 possible actresses.  Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, or even possibly Oprah Winfrey