For several weeks, I have been itching to rent the documentary, Confessions of a Superhero, and I finally got my hands on a copy this week. Director Matt Ogens delivers a humorous, yet poignant, portrait of Hollywood Boulevard's comic book character impersonators. The film focuses primarily on the daily struggles of 4 fascinating individuals: Christopher Dennis (Superman), Maxwell Allen (Batman), Jennifer Gehrt (Wonder Woman) and Joe McQueen (Hulk).

Veteran impersonator Dennis takes his Superman persona very seriously, displaying a great reverence for both the character and those who have portrayed him in the past…most especially Christopher Reeve. An avid collector of all things Kryptonian, he's joyously devoted himself to the lifestyle. Like an elder statesmen, he selflessly offers guidance and keeps the peace.

In contrast, Allen reveals a rather troubling past that relates frighteningly well with the Dark Knight. A dead ringer for George Clooney, he started his curbside career as a Clooney impersonator, but eventually migrated to the Batman role. A simmering rage seems to envelope him, apparent in his confrontational nature with tourists that neglect to tip him.

Gehrt and McQueen have loftier aspirations, exhibiting a hopeful perspective that their turn on the Boulevard is a stepping stone for more lucrative acting opportunities. The lovely Gerht is teeming with Midwest girl-next-door appeal, yet it's apparent she wants to firmly break from her past life. I was rather impressed with McQueen's ceaseless determination to don a Hulk costume that often exposed him to ludicrous temperatures verging on the brink of heatstroke.

It's a fascinating case study, and well worth the 90 minutes.

Wired For Weird

Chuck Shepherd is the genius behind one of my favorite internet haunts, News of The Weird.

Every Sunday, Chuck shares stories culled from an exhaustive global investigation of eccentric news clippings. On any given Sunday, you can find tales such as these…

Ultimate Fighting for the 6 & older crowd in Missouri. link

Englishman fakes his own death certificate to circumvent speeding fines. link

Heavy metal band fronted by a Friar monk. link

Definitely worth a weekly read, as the list of oddities seems infinite.

With Great Power Bars Comes Great Responsibility

Faster than a visiting salesman from a local radio station...
More powerful than a slim-line backpack disguised as a portable stadium seat...
Able to leap fuel efficient imports in a single bound...

Look! Over by the coffee pot!
It's a bird! It's a plane!
No, it's...Lex Freedom!

Yes. It's Lex Freedom...strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.

Lex Freedom...who can render I-26 eastbound traffic to his will, bend steel wool with his bare hands, and who, disguised as name removed to protect his secret identity, mild mannered banker for a not-quite-so-metropolitan financial institution, fights a never-ending battle for steak, Tivo and the Republican way.

My Ultra Death Ray Is Better Than Yours

Looks like the 2008 event has passed us by, but there's always 2009. Time to start training for the Superhero Challenge.

Don't ask me how I stumbled across this gem from the UK. Let's just gawk at the notion that we are one step closer to realizing "The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth."

Take a gander at the pic gallery. My favorite is the Giant Bunny with the SumoSpiderman aberration at his left side. Classic.

Also notice the Bunny is holding a decorative umbrella large enough to adorn the fancy alcoholic drink one needs to imbibe before entering this contest.

Future World

My father-in-law sent this link awhile back, and I must admit, it's a pretty damn cool concept.

Disappearing Car Door -- click this link

Jatech LLC may be onto something here with this mod option.

Then again, one has to wonder just how well it would handle a side impact crash. Not to mention, would one be trapped in the vehicle in the event of an electrical failure?