Comedy is my past-time. It’s one of the things I do. It’s just…me. So, when I learn about upcoming comedy events in the Cultural Corridor (that’s the space intersecting Cedar Rapids and Iowa City for you laymen), I like to give a shout-out to those responsible.

• Riff Raff Theater presents: Die Hard – OK. Shame on you for those that have not heard of this group of hilarious people. This time at The Englert Theatre, they’ll be lampooning the movie that setup Bruce Willis as the ‘go-to’ movie action hero on November 19th at 8pm. The movie is good, but SOOOOO bad is so many ways. Here’s what Riff Raff Theater is all about from there own lips:

Have you seen Riff Raff Theater? Laugh along with Chris, Todd and Danuuc in a production that’s been hailed as “funny stuff” by Mike Nelson, host of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The critically acclaimed cinematic roast sets its sights on the Bruce Willis action classic, Die Hard. Presented by M.C. Ginsberg.

• Comics In Action – Sometime in November, they are putting together a gig of humongous proportions. Look for something during the 2nd full week of November. I don’t know what. I’m just sayin’.

My friends at Riff Raff Theater are at it again. This time, they’ll be lampooning arguably one of Will Smith’s worst movies (outside of Wild, Wild West) that is causing Isaac Asimov to spin rapidly in his grave: i, Robot. Believe me. You’ll wish James Cromwell (that’ll do, pig) had a more prominent role in this flick.

Sponsored by M. C. Ginsberg and hosted in Iowa City on Friday, August 15th at the Englert Theatre at 8PM.

I’ve sat back at a couple rehearsals for the upcoming show and I swear to god: This show will ROCK!

My good friends, Chris, Dave and Todd will performing this Friday night (June 27) at 8pm at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City. This time, Riff Raff Theater will tackle the movie that drove Sean Connery into retirement: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. This is the movie that had so much potential that even critics unaware of its legacy couldn’t come up with enough accolades to give this film a more than a ‘mediocre’ rating. Now I love Sean Connery, especially since he is THE best James Bond so far. Not only that, he gave the movie, Highlander, the much needed boost it desperately deserved.

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This will be short and sweet. My good friend, Chris Hanel, and his group, Riff Raff Theater, will be performing their LIVE version of TRON at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City. The show is April 25, 2008 at 8pm. You should be seeing the poster (below) hanging around the downtown Iowa City area. There are few up around campus as well. Hope to see you there.

Yeah. You heard it right. This time it’s the often maligned Disney Classic: TRON. Even though Roger Ebert gave the movie 4 out of 4 stars, many film reviewers didn’t care much for the 1982 flick.

This movie (in my honest opinion) is the father of digital films. In fact, TRON (according to the French) held the title of ‘Best Film with Computer Graphics” until the the overly emotional film, ‘Titanic’ arrived on the scene. For once,the French have gotten it correct. But, I can’t say much about ‘Titanic’ being it’s successor.

The Englert Theatre will be hosting Riff Raff Theater on Friday, April 25th. If their take on the Keanu Reeves horrible classic, ‘Speed’, is any hint as to what is come; This film will rock the house.

My suggestion: Be There. And that’s an order.

When I heard that OK Go would be playing at the University of Iowa for the 10,000 Hours show, I nearly wet my pants. Unfortunately, I may not have the spare time to put in my 10 hours of community service in order to attend the concert, but at least I can revel in the fact that it’s a pretty big deal. Some years ago, they got Ben Folds, followed by Cake a year-or-so later.

It’s a novel idea: Get enough participants to each put in 10 hours of community service, with the total goal being 10, 000 hours. I love it. Probably one of the reasons I love Iowa City so much.

Anyway, here’s one of my new favorite songs and videos by OK Go. I know. It’s not the ‘Treadmill’ video, but still you got to give them props for this one: