Marc Bernardin, Author at Gizmodo

Why Video Games Are the New Pulps

A couple of days ago, the esteemed Charlie Jane Anders looked at the dearth of new, sustaining pop culture heroes and villains. That, with the exception of Harry Potter, we haven’t seen a new character with the perceived permanence of a James Bond or a Captain Kirk or Spider-Man — and she blamed it on…

Books & Comics Marc Bernardin

Why aren’t we in a golden age of genre television?

We are, most people would agree, in the midst of a Golden Age of Television. Since the late-1990s, the programming that’s been pumped into our homes has been as good as it’s ever been — and, in many respects, better than the movies that have long sat atop the Pop Cultural Quality Pile. But why…

Television Marc Bernardin

The best of last night’s Avengers Commentary Twack

It’s hard to believe that a movie with Uma Thurman, Sean Connery, and Ralph Fiennes could be this bad — but 1998’s The Avengers crushed hopes at every turn. If you missed our tweetathon, here are the highlights. @io9commentary okay, you beautiful sonsabitches, we ready to dig into the Uma-Ralph-Sean version of Avengers? Let’s go.…

io9 Marc Bernardin

The Monday Commentary Twack: Pick us a winner

We’re at it again, taking it to the internets and tweeting our way through a Netflix-albe genre flick of your choosing. So, choose wisely, and we’ll see you tonight at 9:30 pm EST. I’ve selected five likely subjects — all of which are available on Netflix Watch Instantly — and whichever gets the most votes…

io9 Marc Bernardin

At last, a trailer for the new, blissfully insane season of Venture Bros.

Here’s the trailer that die-hard Venturites saw at Comic-Con, and it’s full of, well, the effing crazy: boy zombies, ass webs, Brock Samson masturbation marathons, and genital formal wear. Sweet Fancy Moses, the Sept. 12th premiere can’t come soon enough. Click to view (Via Venture Bros. Blog)

io9 Marc Bernardin

August DVD releases, from Blipverts to comix documentaries

Have you been waiting forever for Max Headroom on DVD? Your dreams come true this month. We’ve got a rundown of noteworthy August DVD releases, from the very good to the, well, watch at your own risk (hello, Heroes!). Pick of the Month: Max Headroom: The Complete Series Almost 25 years ago, this ABC show…

io9 Marc Bernardin

The Best of last night’s The Mask Commentary Twack event

Oh, we had us a fine time tweeting our way through the Jim Carrey comic-and-cartoon inspired misfire, The Mask. In case you missed it, and Cameron Diaz’s stunning movie debut, here’s the cream of the crop. @io9commentary okay, you beautiful sunsabitches…here we go. @io9commentary holy crap…there are divers in the bottom of this aquarium-looking set!…

io9 Marc Bernardin

The Return of the Monday Commentary Twack!

Post Comic-Con insanity, we’re back — taking it to the tweets to have a little fun with some genre “classics.” Once again, you guys choose the Netflix-able movie and we’ll bring the beer*. (No beer will be provided.) Just like we did two weeks ago (when Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow got the…

io9 Marc Bernardin

DC Universe Online: The best superhero movie you’ll never see

A new CG trailer for Sony’s DC Universe Online game features what might be the best superhero battle ever committed to the screen. Seriously, it’s so good, it’ll make you weep for what doesn’t exist…yet. That’s as epic a battle between dudes with capes as I’ve ever seen. Wonder Woman, especially, comes off like the…

io9 Marc Bernardin

You think the SDCC crowds are bad? Here are the 10 most bloodthirstily awesome mobs!

The mad-human crush of the San Diego Comic Con looms, with almost 150,000 people attending over the Con’s five days, starting tomorrow. Never fear, though. Here are 10 other hungry swarms that’ll curdle your blood in advance. PITCHFORK-HAPPY VILLAGERS Frankenstein The Monster didn’t mean to kill that little girl by the lake. She was just…

io9 Marc Bernardin

See something truly unexpected at the Comic-Con Independent Film Festival

There’s a lot of stuff to see at Comic Con, but one of the best parts is the SDCC Independent Film Festival. It delivers a heady, steady stream of unbridled cinematic creativity. See, every year, the organizers of Comic Con International also host the Independent Film Festival — which welcomes entries from all over the…

Movies Marc Bernardin

The best of last night’s Sky Captain Commentary Twack

Oh, we had us a fine time tweet-lambasting our way through the groundbreakingly rendered missed opportunity, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. In case you missed it, here’s the cream of the crop. @io9commentary okay, y’all. Paramount logo is on the screen, jug of OJ and tissues handy. Let’s go into The World of…

io9 Marc Bernardin

The Monday Commentary Twack: Choose your poison

We’re back, taking it to the tweets and tearing an unsuspecting Netflix-able movie a new one. And, once again, you guys decide which film gets to feel our collective wrath. Just like we did two weeks ago (when The Matrix: Reloaded got the nod) I’ve picked five likely subjects — all of which are available…

io9 Marc Bernardin

The best of last night’s Matrix Reloaded Commentary Twack

Oh, we had us a fine time tweet-lambasting our way through the Wachwoskis’ hotly anticipated-thoroughly underwhelming second chapter in the Matrix trilogy. In case you missed it, here’s the cream of the crop. @io9commentary aside from Star Wars Episode 1, I can’t remember a movie more hotly anticipated — and a bigger letdown — than…

io9 Marc Bernardin

Okay, who stole King Tut’s penis?

While trying to determine the cause of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun’s death, one researcher found that not all of the boy king’s parts were present and accounted for. There are many theories as to what killed Tutankhamun: malaria, inherited bone disorder, sickle-cell anemia. Another suggests that he suffered from a genetic hormonal disorder that causes elongated…

io9 Marc Bernardin

Tired of losing dogs to both natural and unnatural causes?

Of course you are — and that’s why this faux ad for a Make Your Dog Immortal kit hits our sweet spot. Our blasphemous, profane, incredibly wrong sweet spot. [Twitter]

io9 Marc Bernardin

Happy birthday, Felicia Day!

The Queen Geek that killed it in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, fought the future in Dollhouse’s “Epitaph One,” and routinely loots our heart in The Guild turns 31 today. So hoist a cold one in her honor! (Via Wired)

io9 Marc Bernardin

The return of the Monday Commentary Twack

Yes, it’s been a while — due to an unlikely combination of carpal tunnel and chupacabra — but we’re back, picking a Netflix Instant film and eviscerating on Twitter. And, as usual, you pick the movie. Just like we did a few weeks ago (when Street Fighter got the nod) I’ve picked five likely subjects…

io9 Marc Bernardin

Matt Smith rocks the effing house with his own theme song

Performing at the Glastonbury Music Festival, Orbital got the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, to join them on stage and play the synthesizer. And perform the Doctor Who theme. What results is a drum machine-light show-totally-wicked freak out. [Burning Cool]

io9 Marc Bernardin

13 of science fiction’s baddest convicts

My, how we do love a bad boy — and here are a baker’s dozen of some of the worst of the worst that scifi movies, TV, and videogames have to offer. SNAKE PLISSKEN IMPRISONED FOR: Armed robbery of a federal installation Kurt Russell in Escape from New York If you’re gonna spring a guy…

io9 Marc Bernardin

Marc Bernardin

Why Video Games Are the New Pulps

Why aren’t we in a golden age of genre television?

The best of last night’s Avengers Commentary Twack

The Monday Commentary Twack: Pick us a winner

At last, a trailer for the new, blissfully insane season of Venture Bros.

August DVD releases, from Blipverts to comix documentaries

The Best of last night’s The Mask Commentary Twack event

The Return of the Monday Commentary Twack!

DC Universe Online: The best superhero movie you’ll never see

You think the SDCC crowds are bad? Here are the 10 most bloodthirstily awesome mobs!

See something truly unexpected at the Comic-Con Independent Film Festival

The best of last night’s Sky Captain Commentary Twack

The Monday Commentary Twack: Choose your poison

The best of last night’s Matrix Reloaded Commentary Twack

Okay, who stole King Tut’s penis?

Tired of losing dogs to both natural and unnatural causes?

Happy birthday, Felicia Day!

The return of the Monday Commentary Twack

Matt Smith rocks the effing house with his own theme song

13 of science fiction’s baddest convicts

Roborock F25 Ultra Steam Wet Dry Vacuum Is Now at Its Lowest Price, but Only During the Spring Sale Window

This $450 Semi-Dumb Phone Is Barely Even a Phone

Startup Successfully Ignites World’s First Fusion Rocket

Shokz OpenDots One Earbuds Hit Their Lowest Price Yet Across All Color Options, Including the New Ones

INIU Portable Power Bank Is Small in Size and Smaller in Price for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (45W, 10,000mAh)

Humans Were Already Dog People 16,000 Years Ago, DNA Suggests

California Regulator Says Tesla’s ‘Robotaxis’ Are More Like a Limo in the Eyes of the Law

Dyson Airwrap Falls to an All-Time Low in Amazon’s Spring Sale, Lowering the Barrier for This Premium Multi-Styler

The ‘Tales from ’85’ Trailer Wants You Back in ‘Stranger Things’ Already

Forget Ray-Ban Meta, XREAL 1S AR/XR Virtual Screen Smart Glasses Drop to Record Low on Amazon

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

Apple Studio Display XDR Review: It Looks So Good, I Wish It Were an iMac

RayNeo Air 4 Pro Review: My Eyes Love These Video Glasses, but My Nose Disagrees