Even Will Byers and the gang read Nowhere California posts.
(Nicholas Dye/Staff Writer)
We were hit with the teaser a few weeks back and now we finally have the first full trailer for the final season of Netflix’s hit series, Stranger Things. This has become MY favorite series and all I can say is, I’m not ready. Things look bleak for Hawkins and the gang but they’ve all come out okay before right? RIGHT? Volume One drops November 26, 2025, Volume 2 ON Christmas Day, and the finale drops New Year’s Eve. Ugh…I’ll say this and leave you with the trailer…using Queen’s “Who Wants to Live Forever” is just downright diabolical.
A.I. artificial intelligence as it’s so called on EVERY goddamn platform out there. I was going to try an approach this subject a little tongue in cheek but this just pisses me off to no end. Nowhere California will be making several posts and potentially two or three part episodes to cover the fucking monstrosity that is the A.I. craze.
For me, at first, it was a simple irritation when I had to struggle to identify a real celebrity pic or audio clip or if it was AI generated. Then came the Taylor Swift and George Carlin bullshit which yielded a small victory in court when Swift and the Carlin estate went on the attack. Now, every other video on TikTok or Instagram is a fucking baby being interviewed or a yeti telling a joke while running through the woods (okay, I kinda like those yeti ones).
When I read this article (see the BBC article below) however, I was fucking furious. Essentially, Zelda Williams, daughter of the late and so much more than great, Robin Williams had taken to social media to plead fucking PLEAD that people stop sending her A.I. generated videos of her father who passed in 2014.
As I said, we will cover this much further in upcoming episodes and posts but this bullshit has to stop. We will obviously cover the tremendous potential in other fields but in entertainment, this has to stop.
I’ve spent a good chunk of today trying to figure out how to best approach what I felt about Val Kilmer. Do I talk about his numerous roles? Do I give a detailed account of his life and how, at 17 years old, he was the youngest person at that time to be accepted to Juilliard? None of it seemed genuine, so I decided to give you a very small snippet from his life and mine but one that will last with me forever.
Early in June 2018, my wife at the time, and I had learned that Val Kilmer was going to be showcasing his one man play, ‘Citizen Twain’ at the Improv in Ontario, California. We quickly bought tickets and paid for the VIP seating and decided to make a date night out of it. The both of us have backgrounds in theater, but I am the real die hard when it came to being on stage so naturally, I was excited to see his performance. It was being shown in film format and was lovingly renamed ‘Cinema Twain’.
When we got to the Improv, we were seated right against stage left and couldn’t have been more than 10 feet away from him and listened with rapt attention as he explained how ‘Citizen Twain’ had come to be. For those of you who don’t know, feel free to look it up, but the long and short of it is, he wrote an entire one man play so he could better understand Mark Twain, a.k.a. Samuel Clemens before playing him in a film.
At this point in his life Val had to over annunciate everything due to his battles with cancer. He did so masterfully and managed to make everything funny and spoke so passionately about acting in this play in particular. The Improv was packed, a completely sold out show, and we all reveled in his performance. Afterwards, the Q&A began, and, once again, he spoke very passionately about the process he took in learning about Mark Twain. He fielded questions about his numerous films, actors he enjoyed working with, and also the ones he found difficult to work with.
At one point, I nudged my wife and pointed to his socks. Val was wearing these long socks that I can only describe as an explosion of color that looked like an acid trip. Not tie-dyed, but definitely funky. Wanting to see if I could make him laugh, I shot my hand into the air and waited for him to call me. When he finally did, I asked a two part question that began with some generic thing about his first feature film, ‘Top Secret’ and then I made a joke about the socks. He lifted his pant leg to see which pair he was wearing, and then looked at me with a genuinely disappointed and hurt look and made a comment about his battles with cancer and how he earned the right to be comfortable. He took about a two beat pause in which time the entire building fell silent, and I thought I was going to vomit. He burst out laughing and jumped up and came over and shook my hand and gave me a hug. We both laughed and then it became the running joke throughout the rest of the Q&A, which ran over the scheduled time. We took pictures with him afterwards and he double checked to make sure I hadn’t had a heart attack. We laughed a little and I ended up buying some of his artwork and one of his Funko pops. All in all, it was a night that I could’ve never predicted, but one that I will never ever forget.
There are so many things that can be said about Val Kilmer. For me, personally, he will always be one of the kindest and funniest celebrities I’ve ever had the chance to interact with. I’d like to think somewhere he laughed about that after the show on his way home. I will cherish his movies forever, and I will always be grateful for the time he took to tease a dumbass who teased him about his comfy socks. Rest well Mr. Kilmer and thanks for the heart attack.
Funny sock wearing celebrity almost kills local fat fanNot bad for a skinny lunger
On this first day of 2025, we at Nowhere California wish you and yours a phenomenal year ahead. We will bring you so much content you’ll puke…unless our content ALREADY makes you puke then you’re in for a rough one. So enjoy or invest in a shitload of Pepto!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!!!
This is a brand new segment that my editor and fearless leader, Joshua Gilmore, gave me the greenlight to launch. It is a segment that allows us to get things off our chest about the pop culture community that may irk us from time to time. The Void is our sacred place. The ether to which we send out our ideas and voices. To that end, welcome to Violating the Void.
As all Star Wars fans know, but few are willing to admit, the biggest threat to the Star Wars universe, isn’t Kathleen Kennedy or the Disney corporation, it’s the toxicity of its fans. While the toxicity of Star Wars fandom is far too vast to cover in one simple post (and believe me, we will make the attempt at a later date), it’s just one example in a larger world of unmitigated hatred towards casting choices, writers, directors, storylines, and so on. I remember all the hatred aimed at Heath Ledger when he was cast as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Hell, you could even go back as far as 1989 and read articles where critics ripped Michael Keaton apart for being cast as Batman. But for this inaugural post, I am going after those who have gone after James Gunn, and all those who are involved with or who support the upcoming Superman movie.
The backlash began when James Gunn announced that he would be directing and writing an upcoming Superman film that was loosely based on All-Star Superman, initially titled Superman Legacy. With that announcement, he dropped the logo that would be used. Toxic nerd went ape-shit. Jump ahead several months and we start seeing set photos. Bring on the toxic nerds who began to rip apart the choices in actors and costume designs. Fans initially cheered the casting of Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner of the Green Lantern Corps and just as quickly ripped him to shreds when they saw what he looked like on film. I don’t get it! These toxic nerds screamed for comic accuracy, and when it’s delivered, they lose their minds and not in a positive way.
Superman’s New LogoOur new Superman!
Jump ahead to just a couple of weeks ago when we get our first teaser trailer for the film itself. Here comes the toxic nerds with their pitchforks and torches and systematically rip the movie apart based off a handful of seconds. Cries for the restoration of Henry Cavill in the titular role rang out. Corenswet looks terrible in that costume. Corenswet looks terrible as Clark Kent. Krypto (who stole the trailer by the way) looks terrible. Guy’s haircut and outfit look goofy. Snyder should’ve had another chance. Gunn is a piece of shit! All of this hatred and venom spewed towards a film, its actors, and it’s director from the very people claiming to be fans of a character based in hope and kindness. I was absolutely disgusted.
Nathan Fillion rocking Guy’s signature bowl cutSuperman and some reporter named Clark KentThe bestest boy in the whole universe!
I think what sickened me the most came a day or two after the release of the teaser. David Ayers, the director of Suicide Squad, came out in full support of James Gunn and his Superman film…and was promptly met with hatred and death threats. Yep, you read that right, death threats. Ayers responded with an official post stating that he was taking a step away from social media.
Sad and absolutely disgusting Sickening and shameful.
My love for Superman is well documented throughout the history of our podcast and website. I cannot wait to see James Gunn’s vision brought to life. I believe the choices in casting are right on par with the original 1978 film as well is the more recent Superman & Lois TV series which was also perfectly cast. I guess the point is this, you don’t have to like a film. You can be disappointed in how it looks or who is playing your favorite characters. You absolutely have the right to voice your opinion but how dare you send death threats, and bully and belittle those who are involved in and support the film. Oh, and if any of this garners me a death threat…bring it. In the meantime…here’s the poster and trailer for the upcoming Superman directed by James Gunn.
If you would’ve told me decades ago, that the Karate Kid franchise would become one most complex sagas in film and yet, somehow remaining blissfully simplistic, I would’ve called you crazy. Jump ahead to a few days ago when the trailer for Karate Kid Legends drops and I see Ralph Macchio face-to-face with Jackie Chan talking about Mr. Miyagi and I lost my mind. Now, I have always been upfront with being a sponge for useless pop culture knowledge. That being said, my nerd superpower was triggered when I went back to the first film when Mr. Miyagi is talking to Daniel about the roots of karate. He talks about one of his ancestors, drinking strong sake and falling asleep in his fishing boat and waking up off the coast of China. Thus, kung fu influenced this Miyagi ancestor, and Miyagi-do karate was born. In this trailer, Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han seeks out Daniel LaRusso to help train new student. They reference both films and tie them together with the branches of the bonsai tree. Needless to say, I am super excited to see this next chapter, and I proudly share with you the trailer for Karate Kid Legends. In theaters May 30, 2025
With James Gunn’s Superman film coming out next year, there has been a lot of talk about who has portrayed the best version of Superman on screen. While my Superman will always be Christopher Reeve and Tyler Hoechlin coming in a solid second, I think it’s high time we start recognizing The Iron Giant as a Superman film. Alien visitor with strange powers crash lands on earth and is “raised” by a loving, innocent, and completely moral young man who teaches him the importance of kindness in the face of fear and that you don’t have to be a weapon? Cmon! It doesn’t get more Superman than that!!! I will go as far to say that The Iron Giant is a better Superman movie than Man of Steel, BvS, AND Justice League! Come at me, I dare ya!
So this is a simple rant that MAY be a recurring theme but for now, I wish they made these toys! If there was EVER a line that I wish would be picked up by Funko Super 7 or ANY company for that matter, it would be for the 1984 Sci-Fi Fantasy Classic, The Last Starfighter. Apparently, Galoob had prototypes made up for a future line before they were ultimately scrapped. I would LOVE a line like the classic Kenner Star Wars line with super simplistic paint jobs and a vehicle line to go with it! There are some intrepid fans out there who have created their own line of figures but they end up selling for over $1000. I mean…if that isn’t demand, I don’t know what is!! Hasbro, McFarlane, Mattel…somebody, ANYBODY please!! I need a Centauri with his Star Car that could include a Beta-Unit (pre transformation of course). A Gunstar that would hold Grig and Alex so they can properly defend the Frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada! Here’s your chance toy czars!!! And like Otis says in the film “…Important things is, when it comes, you’ve got to grab with both hands and hold on tight!”
Alex Rogan and GrigThe Ultimate Salesman, CentauriLord Kril Centauri’s Star Car (makes a cameo in Back to the Future 2 by the way)Alex’s modified Gunstar with Death Blossom action)An Alex and Starfighter game 2 pack?
I did a thing a while back and it sparked an idea in us. Thus, NERD INK was born. We are aiming to make this a monthly segment that showcases pop culture tattoos of our readers, listeners, and friends. As any mad scientist will tell you, you have to experiment on yourself first to make progress so here I go.
This is my tattoo from one of my favorite films of all time, The Crow. My artist is Chris Olivera at Black Anchor Tattoo in Hesperia, California. I came to Chris with a very basic idea and this is what he developed for me. His painstaking attention to details and shadow play is phenomenal. My favorite aspect of this piece is the silhouette of Eric Draven in the window. He used white to outline the body which brings that “just came in out the rain” look to stunning life.
So there is our first entry into a new segment that we aim to bring to you every month. We would LOVE to feature your nerd ink so, if have a tattoo, know someone who has one, or even know an artist who’s work you’d like seen, feel free to hit us up. You will find my artist’s info as well as our contact info below. The only criteria we ask is that it be a pop culture tattoo. So if you have a great clock tattoo with Roman numerals and roses for the hands…meh…BUUUUT if you have a great Clockwork Orange tattoo, we DEFINITELY want to see that! Don’t be shy folks…it’s just flesh!
Picture this: it’s 1986 and it’s the decade of badass training montage movie music. We’ve had Rocky 1-4, The Karate Kid, Rambo, Commando, Conan the Barbarian, and the list goes on. Suddenly, this movie about a small town BMX prodigy hits. Skeptical? So were many movie goers but then that opening sequence hits and the song “Break the Ice” by some dude named John Farnham hits and you’re suddenly ready to grab your GT Dyno and hit a bus driver or a sick nac-nac… Next thing you know there’s a playful game of tag with a motorcycle cop in a lumber mill to the tune of Get Strange by Hubert Kah, a BMX dance showcase (yep you read that right) to Send Me An Angel by Real Life and a love ballad called With You , again by John Farnham. But it’s Farnham hitting the badass hat-trick with the absolute banger, Thunder In Your Heart that will leave you believing you too can walk Helltrack and send Bart Taylor (the Mongoose bad guy poster boy) into a dirt filled endo. Seriously folks, the RAD soundtrack was a sleeper hit you should check out. It was released July 1st, 1986 on Curb Records and can be found on CD, cassette, and most currently, vinyl.
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