The geek girls here at Big Shiny Robot decided to get together and start a podcast, and we’re happy to present our very first two-part test episodes to see what you think! Consider it a preview of things to come in 2012 – the Big Shiny Girlcast will release once per month and include four of your favorite Big Shiny Robot geek girl writers – Bizarrobot (Erin), Miss Mecha (Jessie), Scarlett RoBotica (Kelly), and Wonderbot (Carly).

In the podcast, we’ll be bringing you geek news and chatting about video games, comics, movies, anime, sci fi, tech and more! And, of course, we’ll feature some geek girl news that you might not be getting from your other podcasts.

Since these are test episodes, please bear with us as we had a few audio issues in Part Two and are still working out how we want to run each episode. Part One features Miss Mecha and Scarlett RoBotica chatting about Miyazaki’s next film, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Black Friday and our review of The Muppets. Part Two features all four of us chatting about conventions, the fail-tastic Wonder Woman Pilot, and TONS more! (Part one was recorded on Sunday, November 27th. Part two was recorded in September.)

To get the episode, you can subscribe to “Big Shiny Robot’s Big Shiny Podcast”  iTunes feed and download the episode “Big Shiny Girlcast – December 11” for free. Most importantly from all this, we’d like you to let us know what you think! Listen to both parts and let us know what you think works and what you think doesn’t work so great. We had a blast recording these and hope you like em!

Please leave constructive comments or criticism right underneath this post. Thanks for listening!

I’ll make no bones about the fact that I’m a fan of the Muppets. I had a Kermit the Frog cake for my first few birthday parties and used to get up a full hour early for school every morning during my elementary school years just to watch the show. Hell, I saw a midnight screening of Muppets From Space and loved it.

I really like The Muppets and I leapt at the chance to catch the preview screening of this latest film with my kids.

Going in, I’ll admit that I was wary. Jason Segel, in my mind, comes from that Apatow school of comedy and filmmaking which usually kind-of funny movies than run an hour too long. The marketing campaign has been nothing short of brilliant, so that seemed to put a lot of my fears temporarily at ease. Then I read an interview with Frank Oz about how he wasn’t a fan of the script and he didn’t feel like they were giving the characters the proper respect and I got worried all over again.

That’s when I tuned out all of the marketing and just went to the movie, hoping I’d be pleasantly surprised.

Was I pleasantly surprised? That might be an understatement.

I had so much damn fun watching this movie I can’t even begin to describe it. And I brought my kids who don’t have as much nostalgia or affinity for the Muppets and they enjoyed it even more than I did. In fact, as I write this, this is the second day in a row that my son has listened to nothing but the soundtrack to the film on a loop.

The film itself revolves around Gary (Jason Segel) and his brother Walter who is a puppet. Walter is the biggest Muppet fan in the galaxy and is delighted to be invited along with Gary and Mary (Amy Adams) to their special anniversary trip to Los Angeles so he can visit the Muppet Studios. There, while sneaking into Kermit the Frog’s old office, he uncovers a plot by Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to buy the Muppet Studios, bulldoze them, and drill for oil. Where else do they go for help but to Kermit the Frog? They need to raise $10 million in a short period of time to save the theatre so Kermit decides the best course of action is to get the gang back together and put on another show.

That’s pretty much it.

The plot is standard Muppets fare but it’s infused with such a love and incredible comedic touch that it’s too compelling to ignore. It was so full of love for the franchise that I found tears in my eyes more than a couple of times. And they were happy tears of joy and nostalgia. They were the same tears that used to get me during “Saying Goodbye” in The Muppets Take Manhattan. They were the same tears that made me cry the first time I saw a Star Wars film on the big screen. It’s just overwhelming.

Segel and crew did an amazing job replicating the feel of the old Muppets at the same time making it feel relevant. The entire movie is adorable and sacharine sweet and puts a smile on your face the whole damn time. In fact, the opening song (Life’s a Happy Song) puts that smile on your face and you never lose it through the whole movie.

It’s just that perfect.

And did I mention the music is fantastic? New songs were written by Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame and you can tell. They’re all fantastic but the solos he gives Chris Cooper and Amy Adams stand out more amongst a crop of stand outs.

And did I mention that it’s funny? I don’t think I’ve laughed this hard in a movie in a long, long time. But it wasn’t just me laughing, my kids were dying, too. It mastered the all-ages comedy bit in a way that I thought only Pixar was capable of.

My only complaint about the film? Mickey Rooney had more lines than Rizzo the Rat. That’s it. That’s the only thing I found odd about this film.

If you’re even half a fan of the Muppets, you need to catch this new installment of their adventures ASAP. And if you’re new to the Muppets, this is also a perfect jumping on point. I can’t imagine someone going into this film and not coming away with a new appreciation for the characters that I’ve been in love with since before I can remember.

I hope it makes lots and lots of money so we can have more Muppet movies. And a show. Yeah…  we need a new Muppet Show. And since they built a damned near perfect replica of The Muppet Theatre, why couldn’t we have a show?

Seriously, there’s way too much to love about this film and I don’t want to talk too much about it because it’ll just turn into a list of jokes and songs I loved, which is basically just the whole movie. So go see it. Now.

…maniacal laugh.  Maniacal laugh. Maniacal laugh.

(Also, do yourself a favor and buy the soundtrack. Trust me. As soon as you get out of the theatre, you’ll need it.)

The marketing strategy for The Muppets has been nothing short of brilliant. I only hope the movie can live up to the hype and the legacy.

In their latest brilliant move, they have released these three Twilight themed posters.

The Muppets are on a mission with their new Fan-a-Thon: to get “a bazillion” (or even “gazillion”) likes on Facebook.

I’m fully on board with this mission, because if there is one thing I really and truly want it’s for there to be more awesome Muppet movies in my future. Admittedly, the Muppets hit a bit of a slump at the end of the 90’s, but I’m confident that this new movie will bring them back to us in exceptional fashion. Jason Segel and a fantastic creative team have taken up the mighty task of bringing the Muppets back, and I can’t help but root for them every step of the way. Mostly because I feel that the Muppets have become so much more than the characters themselves- in many ways they are symbols of hope, inspiring creativity, and friendship that deserve to be remembered and, in my opinion, carried on into the future.

“My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.” – Jim Henson

Jim Henson’s 75th birthday would have been September 24th, 2011 – and the Muppet Mindset Blog posted a lot of great articles for the occasion. One article in particular, “Jim Henson’s 75th Birthday: The Effect on the World,” is especially heartfelt and a must-read. The following quote from the post really spoke to me as someone who has adored the Muppets my whole life:

“James V. Carrol (Muppet Fan Artist):  At five years old, my parents took me to see the theatrical debut of The Muppet Movie and it greatly impacted my life. I remember everything about that day. The illusion was so real that I actually believed the Swedish Chef broke the projector in the middle of the movie. Most people mistake becoming rich and famous as the goal of the film, but it’s about sharing your journey with other likeminded individuals who may be very different in every other aspect of their lives. That kind of positivity, no matter what the challenge, is how I always think of Jim Henson and is only a fraction of what his work continues to mean in my life.”

Head over to their site and give the article a read.

Passing the Muppets on to another generation is a huge deal, and it’s even bigger if this movie is as much the achievement I hope it will be. If you haven’t seen the latest trailer, “The Pig With the Froggy Tattoo,” watch it here and then head over to facebook to give the Muppets as many “likes” as you can.

And if you love Muppets music, check out the new “Green Album” featuring covers by OK GO, The Fray, Andrew Bird, Rachael Yamagata, Weezer and Hayley Williams, My Morning Jacket, Alkaline Trio and more. You can preview some of the tracks from the Album here.

Finally, the ultimate question to you, the readers. Who is your favorite Muppet and why? My favorite Muppet has always been Kermit – for his ability to bring the “whole gang” together, every time, no matter what the obstacles may be.

After numerous DVD releases the Farscape series is set to make its high definition debut on Blu-ray on November 15, 2011. Here’s the press release:

FARSCAPE: THE COMPLETE SERIES  BLU-RAY EDITION Remastered from the Highest Quality Source Material, All 88 Episodes of the Fan Favorite Series Are Presented in Crystal Clear High Definition, “Better Than They’ve Ever Looked Before”, Says Exec Producer Brian Henson The 20-Disc Set ($199.95srp) from A+E Networks Home Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company Includes Over 15 Hours of Bonus Programming, Highlighted by a Brand-New Documentary Featuring Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Creators Rockne O’Bannon, Henson and Writer Richard Manning IN STORES NOVEMBER 15 NEW YORK, NY – Although the status of the U.S. space program is in flux, those wishing to explore the furthest reaches of the cosmos need to look no further than FARSCAPE: THE COMPLETE SERIES BLU-RAY EDITION.  This November, home viewers will be transported through a wormhole across a thousand galaxies to the stunningly original universe of this groundbreaking cult classic from The Jim Henson Company, finally available in spectacular hi-def!  Bringing together all four complete seasons (88 episodes) and over 15 hours of bonus programming across 20 blu-ray discs, this definitive collection, optimized for HD from the European PAL masters – the highest quality available source elements — delivers the most optimal viewing experience for the series which TV Guide named “one of television’s best cult shows ever”.  And, on November 15, it will be available for fans both new and old for $199.95srp. A+E Networks Home Entertainment, one of the pioneers of TV DVD collectibles, and The Jim Henson Company have worked closely together to guarantee that this BLU-RAY EDITION will satisfy the series loyal fan base.  “With FARSCAPE, we work hard to meet our fans’ high expectations and this new Blu Ray release utilizes the highest quality source materials available so I know our audience will not be disappointed,” said Brian Henson, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company and executive producer of FARSCAPE. “A+E Networks Home Entertainment has met all the challenges that, given the nature and age of the series, are inherent with a show like FARSCAPE and the result is that all four seasons of FARSCAPE look better than ever  before.” The superb High-Def picture and sound isn’t the only cause for celebration as this set also includes a BRAND-NEW documentary: Memories of Moya: An Epic Journey Explored featuring revealing new interviews with creators Brian Henson and Rockne O’Bannon, writer Richard Manning, and stars Ben Browder and Claudia Black as they look back at the legacy of the sci-fi classic. In addition to this new documentary, the FARSCAPE Blu-ray set also includes ALL of the bonus material from the bestselling DVD release: over 15 hours episode commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, trailers, promos and more. An imaginative fusion of live action, state-of-the-art puppetry, prosthetics and CGI, “Farscape,” produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with RHI Entertainment, featured mind-boggling alien life forms, dazzling special effects, edge-of-your-seat thrills, irreverent humor and unforgettable characters — all brought to rich life by the creative minds at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™.  Strap in and hold on tight for the extraordinary adventures of astronaut John Crichton, (Ben Browder) who, after a freak accident, finds himself surrounded by hostile aliens and soaring through the cosmos aboard Moya, a glorious living space ship.  Hunted by the relentless Peacekeepers, he allies himself with Moya’s crew — Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black), Luxan warrior Ka D’Argo (Anthony Simcoe), azure priestess Zhaan (Virginia Hey), spritely Nebari thief Chiana (Gigi Edgley), Dominar Rygel, the deposed royal ruler of the Hynerian Empire and Pilot – to search for a way out of this inconceivably alien world and return home. In addition to the complete BLU-RAY EDITION, day-and-date, A+E Networks Home Entertainment will also release single season blu-ray sets.  Each BD release in FARSCAPE: THE COMPLETE SEASONS 1-4 BLU-RAY EDITIONS will contain over 18 hours of cosmically cool entertainment — 22 episodes on five discs packed with incisive and stimulating bonus features for $69.95srp.

This movie looks incredible. The Muppets have always been one of my favorite things in the world and I will be first in line for this movie. It looks like a return to form for them. And the interiors of the old Muppet Theatre look sooooo good.

I really, really, really can’t wait for this.

As we wait, let’s talk about who your favorite Muppet is. I might have to go with Kermit… But there’s so many I love. Lew Zealand is pretty damned notable….

What about you?

Coinciding with the Green Lantern release tomorrow and falling nicely in line with the Green Lantern showing tonight at Brewvies. The Muppets have released another parody trailer following Green With Envy and The Fuzzy Pack to prepare us for their Thanksgiving movie release. I didn’t see too much new footage, but I’m still pumped for this movie.  The new take on their trailer makes me want to see what the story may actually lead up to, or if it will simply be random Muppet zaniness. I’ve always lived under the ideology that if you don’t like the Muppets your soul has been ripped violently from you by corporate America… Or you simply hate children, ice cream, and warm fuzzy feelings…. Any who… trailer below, what do ya think?

Chris Richard Hanson has been doing make-up and special effects for over two decades, working on films like “Hellboy”, “Underworld” and the “Men In Black” series. He’s had the privilege of working under some top directors and learning from some of the finest designers in the industry. And best yet, his shop is based right out of Salt Lake City. Hanson sat down with City Weekly‘s own Gavin Sheehan to talk about his career and the love/hate relationship with CGI.

Gavin’s Underground interview with Chris Richard Hanson

Gavin: How did you officially first break into the business with no experience?

Chris: I did have some experience in cheesy local movies, plus I worked for two years at a medical prosthetics lab making limbs out of fiberglass; they just needed a guy to spread the toxic stuff in molds for 6 bucks an hour, but I discovered silicone rubber material there, and made molds at night of my hands and developed a way to make realistic limbs just by screwing around. I sent all those pictures to FX shops in Hollywood, and just drove there one rainy day with my friend Ryan Peterson, an amazing sculptor who had been hired to work at a big FX studio. I lucked out and got a job making plaster molds on ‘The Santa Clause’ three weeks later. It only lasted like three weeks, and on my birthday, I was abruptly laid off, the show was over. The guy who laid me off laughed and said ‘Happy Birthday! Welcome to Hollywood!!’ again, I should’ve learned…

Gavin: What was the experience like working for The Jim Henson Company, and learning skills from a production outfit with such a rich history for visual effects?

Chris: Weird, very surreal at first. I came home from Michael Burnett, who I had just been laid off from after 18 months of employment, and in one day my old tape deck answering machine was filled, with all these messages from the big guys, including the Hensons! The message said “were doing ‘George of the Jungle’, the movie, and need you to come in and sculpt Gorilla heads” I was stunned. When I went in the next day with my sculpting kit, The place had no Muppets, no “Dark Crystal” creatures or “Labrynth” stuff, they kept saying “oh that’s all over in England, buddy!“ And word came down that the 15 gorillas had been cut down to three, so I sculpted gorilla feet and a giant snake. There was a guy there named Jim Ensign, I believe, and it sounded so much like Jim Henson when the paged him on the speaker my first day. I panicked! ”He’s alive!? How??” But, like everything in that town, it was just a wishful thought with a goofy truth behind it… But seriously, it was a beautiful shop and I felt like I had arrived. My family even knew the Henson name, so now I seemed legit! Now if only Rick Baker would hire me my life would be complete!

The second teaser trailer for the new Muppet movie (entitled simply The Muppets) is out now, and it appears to be a parody of the Hangover 2 teaser.

While it doesn’t provide much in the way of story, you can see most of your favorite characters together at the end (and YES!  I do believe I spot the Swedish Chef, sans hat).  This trailer is called “The Fuzzy Pack.”

I’ve also included the Hangover 2 teaser for comparison:

When I first heard that a new Muppet movie was in the works, I admit I was rather skeptical.  The quality of Muppet projects has waxed and waned since their creator Jim Henson left this world, but I have hope that this new film will be a shot of adrenaline to the franchise.

The appeal of the Muppet movies is that they are funny while still having heart.  The wedding scene at the end of Muppets Take Manhattan makes me a little teary-eyed, but the playroom scene with Kermie and friends as babies is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.  Okay, well, one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.  (I’ve seen a lot of cute things).

The first teaser, known as “Green with Envy” also debuted very recently, and at first glance it looks like a romantic comedy.  Amy Adams is as adorable as ever, looking perky and very much like she did in Enchanted, and I’ve heard over and over that Jason Segel is a huge fan of the Muppets and will likely be mindful of how much people need a GOOD Muppet movie after years of nothing.

And boy, how we hope this movie will be good.

The Muppets debuts in theaters on November 23, 2011.

Add this to my long list of movies I can’t wait to see this year.

I love the Muppets and have for all remembered time. Jason Segal has always been an X factor for me on this project, since I can take him or leave him. “I Love You Man” was pretty boring and by the numbers and I haven’t really seen him in anything else. But anything that brings The Muppets back to the big screen (except a Pirate movie) is good news in my book. Although it was panned, I quite loved “Muppets From Space” and if this is a return to form at that level or higher, I’ll be pleased as punch.

This marketing campaign is interesting. I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that the setup isn’t going to be in the final film at all.

It doesn’t matter, though.

It’s the Muppets and I want them on my theatre screen.