Twinprov gives extended “Star Trek” rap first public performance
Gabe the Babe and I ventured out in the nasty weather tonight and headed to the Harkins Bricktown 16 for another advance screening of “Star Trek.”
Now, I was not trying to indoctrinate my 2 1/2-year-old as a Trekkie way too early. I was going to see what my Saturday challenge has wrought: The pre-screening entertainment was the public premiere of the extended “Twinprov Star Trek Rap.”
If you’ll recall, after Saturday’s “Star Trek” screening, I challenged rapper/comedians Clint and Buck Vrazel, whom I had just met, to come up with a rap based on J.J. Abrams’ excellent new film in just five minutes. They delivered, I blogged about it, they created an extended version, filmed it and posted it on their Web site. I posted it on my blog, too, and somewhere along the way, they got invited to perform the rap before tonight’s screening.
The current version of their “Star Trek” rap runs about five minutes, which is about three minutes longer than the impromptu one I heard on Saturday. But the current incarnation eliminates any spoilers related to the new film – which wasn’t a concern at Saturday’s private performance because we had all just seen the movie – and ventures deeper into the movie and TV history of “Trek.”
I was interested to see how the rap went off live in front of a full house of “Trek” fans. After all, it’s diferent rapping in front my husband, me and a couple of friends and performing in front of hundreds impatiently waiting to see a highly anticipated movie.
A few people in the crowd scoffed, but the twins got big laughs with quips about Romulan ale, Vulcan mind melds, nuclear “wessels” and other “Trek”-isms. Buck’s extended cry of “KHAN!” in the middle was a favorite moment, too.
The rap did seem to run a bit long, leaving the “doppelgangstas” breathless by the end, but they were greatly hampered by having to share the single microphone. I think with separate mikes, they would have been able to give an even better performance.
Still, the audience rewarded them big cheers and hearty applause at the end, and a few even stood to pay tribute to the brothers Vrazel.
And they were kind enough to publicly thank me at the end, and we posed for pictures. As soon as I get my copies, I’ll post them here for your perusal.
Since Kyle Roberts, one of our intrepid videographers, was on hand to film the performance, I suspect you haven’t heard the last of the clever Clint and Buck Vrazel.
Here is the video version of the “Twinprov Star Trek Rap,” perfect for prepping you to see the movie when it opens in just a few days. (And trust me, you’re going to want to see it.)
-BAM
Video: Eddie Izzard on “Star Trek”
“Star Trek” Week continues here at BAM’s Blog, and today I’m sharing a snippet of “Trek”-related hilarity from one of my favorite comedians, Eddie Izzard.
In his 1994 stand-up video “Unrepeatable,” Izzard performs an uproarious bit about the original “Trek” TV series. In it, he makes fun of Dr. McCoy’s overly dramatic speeches, imagines what would happen if someone from the Enterprise’s accounting department joined a landing party and suggests other settings for phasers besides just boring ol’ stun and kill. (I particularly like the “ice cream van nearby” setting.)
The video is from YouTube, and I highly recommend renting, or better, buying “Unrepeatable.” The bit continues some bad language.
-BAM
“Star Trek” Week launches at BAM’s Blog
On Friday, J.J. Abrams’ reboot of the venerable “Star Trek” franchise boldly goes into theaters. In honor of this big summer movie event, I’m declaring it “Star Trek” week here at BAM’s Blog.
We kicked off the festivities with the posting of the all-new “Twinprov Star Trek Rap,” as performed by Oklahoma City-area rapper/comedians Clint and Buck Vrazel.
Look for more on “Star Trek” every day this week, leading up to my review of the film on Friday.
Live long and prosper, readers.
-BAM
Video: The promised Twinprov “Star Trek” rap
Apparently, my status as one of NewsOK’s top bloggers has made me more powerful than I could have possibly imagined. (Whoops, sorry, wrong sci-fi franchise. My apologies, Trekkies.)
Anyway, I am now evidently endowed with the ability to issue a Klingon Honor Debt. And I don’t even have to worry about the social awkwardness of an elaborately ridged forehead and dramatically snaggled teeth. What a deal.
Here’s the background: On Saturday, I challenged Twinprov rapper/comedians Clint and Buck Vrazel to create a two-minute impromptu rap based on the early screening we had just seen of the new “Star Trek” film. They obliged, I was entertained, and then I blogged about it. (It’s what I do. Again, what a deal.)
And apparently, that blog post became the equivalent of the ol’ Klingon Honor Debt for the Vrazel brothers. In other words, they had to do it or face my wrath – or risk looking like nimrods at any rate.
As I fully expected when I blogged about them - hey, you guys had me convinced you could pull it off at the end of the two-minute version - the twins produced today a video of them rapping “Trek” style.
In fact, the twins raised the bar, proved they can rock under pressure and developed a five-minute rap that doesn’t just discuss the new movie – while avoiding spoilers, thank you very much – but also references large swaths of the “Star Trek” universe.
So, on behalf of Oklahoma’s own “doppelgangstas,” I command you to enjoy the all-new “Twinprov Star Trek Rap.” Apparently, I can do that sort of thing.
Click here to see the timeline of the rap’s creation. It is in this timeline that you will discover codified proof that I have these newfound Klingon abilities, at least, as far as the Vrazel brothers are concerned. Plus, the link takes you to www.twinprov.com, where you can see other fun raps and musings.
Your debt has been repaid, Clint and Buck. You may boldly go, live long and prosper and cry “Khan!” at all those who annoy you. Make it so.
-BAM
UPDATE: Twinprov will perform their “Star Trek” rap tonight before the second advance screening of the movie at Harkins Bricktown 16. So, if you’re lucky enough to have tickets to the screening and get there early enough, you should get to hear the rap live. -BAM
Finding fun at Free Comic Book Day
Since I’ve befriended my colleague and fellow blogger Matt Price of Nerdage, I’ve become quite a fan of the first Saturday in May.
That’s the annual date of nationwide Free Comic Book Day, and a great chance to check out what your favorite superheroes and comic characters are up to.
For the second year, my boys and I made a trek south to Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman. Matt is one of the store’s owners and they always have something special planned for FCBD. Check out Matt’s live-blog from FCBD by clicking here.
This year, I got to listen to Colin Warde, who worked in Los Angeles on the Star Trek auctions, field questions from Trek fans who were clearly hyped up about the big J.J. Abrams movie opening later this month. Matt’s wife, Annette, also introduced me to Colin, and he seemed a nice guy and extremely knowledgeable about Trek.
But the real attraction of FCBD is the comics: My sons, Chris, 14, and Gabe, 2, and I all picked out a few titles, which ranged from Disney/Pixar’s Cars and The Simpsons to Wolverine and The Avengers.
My boys quietly read their comics on the car ride back home – after we stopped at Braum’s, where it was Free Cone for Kids day.
Isn’t free fun?
Many comic book stores are still open for FCBD. Go online to www.freecomicbookday.com to find a list of participating stores.
Happy reading!
-BAM
Twinprov rappers take on “Star Trek”
Just after this morning’s early screening of the new “Star Trek” movie at the Dickinson Penn Square 10, Mr. BAM and I were treated to the debut of Twinprov rap tribute to the film.
Oklahoma City area twins Buck and Clint Vrazel, 28, make up the improv comedy team Twinprov. The brothers also are part of the local group Red Dirt Improv and have been performing improv for approximately 10 years. (At least, I think that’s the conclusion they came to after sort of fussing over it with each other and some friends.) They made their debut as Twinprov Monday night at 51st Street Speakeasy.
The “doppelganstas,” as they call themselves, delivered a quirky and entertaining rap that praised and recapped the film, all roughly to the beat of the original series theme music. They even made sure to keep the language clean as there were youngsters milling about.
Although they performed it in the theater lobby about 10 minutes after the movie ended, Clint said they really only took about three seconds to prep.
“It’s better that way,” Buck said.
Apparently, they have that weird twin-induced psychic synergy going for them because they were able to set up each other for rhymes with uncanny ease.
The brothers said they will soon record a video of their “Star Trek” wrap and post it on their Web site, www.twinprov.com. They said it will contain no spoilers so you don’t have to worry about it messing up your movie experience. Hopefully, they’ll get it up at warp speed because I bet you guys will like it.
I’m recommending seeing Twinprov live if you get the chance, and posting here a video of their “Spy vs. Spy” rap, which contains some curse words.
Rap on boys.
-BAM
Boldly going to see “Star Trek”
The “Star Trek” cast, from left, Simon Pegg as Mr. Scott, Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Chris Pine as James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, John Cho as Sulu and Anton Yelchin as Chekov.
Mr. BAM and I got up early this morning to head over to the Dickinson Penn Square 10 theater for an early screening of J.J. Abrams’ new “Star Trek” movie.
My husband, a huge Trek fan, was apprehensive about viewing the reboot, fearing it would boldly go too far away from the series and leave him cold as the dark side of a distant moon. On the contrary, I was brimming with excitement to see a new take on the film and witness if the casting was a great as it appeared.
Studio regulations prohibit me from giving my review in advance of opening day. So, I can’t tell you what I thought of the film. But I did get to tell my husband I told you so. 
-BAM
Star Trek, Harry Potter, X-Men and more coming to cinemas this summer
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”
Matthew Price of Nerdage, George Lang of Static and I toiled for days on it, and now we present the Oklahoma City 2009 summer movie roundup. Here it is, complete and pristine until the studios decides to start messing with it. Sigh.
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Summer’s flicks to pack action
Blockbusters include “Star Trek,” “X-Men,” “Harry Potter”
Hollywood’s summer features potential blockbusters based on comic books, toy lines, TV shows and even (gasp!) history. Also on the way are high-profile sequels and even a handful of brand-new ideas.
From the clawed mutant of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” to the shape-shifting robots of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” action will be at the forefront of Summer 2009. But summer also has time for love, with “I Love You, Beth Cooper,” starring Hayden Hayden Panettiere, and the “(500) Days of Summer” with Zooey Deschanel.
The following are some of the summer’s high points expected to hit local theaters. Studios often shift opening dates, so check movie listings before heading to the theater.
MAY 1
Battle for Terra
Oklahoma’s James Garner is among the voice talent for this animated movie, which sees humans invading an alien world.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is taken on a mystical journey through the ghosts of his past relationships in this “Christmas Carol”-inspired tale.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hugh Jackman stars as Wolverine, the clawed mutant from the “X-Men,” whose origins are explored in this release, which also features Gambit and Deadpool, popular characters from the comic books.
“Star Trek”
MAY 8
Star Trek
J.J. Abrams (“Lost”) reinvents the spacefaring saga for the current generation. Chris Pine (“Bottle Shock”) and Zachary Quinto (“Heroes”) take on the roles of the Earthman James T. Kirk and the Vulcan Spock, who must come together to save mankind.
Next Day Air
Two small-time hoods (Mike Epps and Wood Harris) think they’ve hit the jackpot when they mistakenly receive a package of grade-A cocaine in this action comedy. But when they try to sell it, things go from bad to worse.
MAY 15
Angels and Demons
Tom Hanks returns as Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon in this sequel to “The DaVinci Code.”
12
In this remake of “12 Angry Men,” 12 jurors must decide the fate of an 18-year-old Chechen accused of murdering his step-father.
Management
Jennifer Aniston plays an art saleswoman who has a chance meeting with a goofy hotel manager (Steve Zahn) who develops a crush on her.
“Terminator Salvation”
MAY 21
Terminator Salvation
Christian Bale (“The Dark Knight”) stars as John Connor, the man destined to lead the humans against Skynet in a post-apocalyptic 2018.
May 22
Dance Flick
Damon Wayans Jr. stars in this over-the-top parody of dance movies.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Ben Stiller returns in this sequel to 2006′s “Night at the Museum” – which this time around, is set at the Smithsonian.
“Up”
MAY 29
Drag Me to Hell
Director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man trilogy, Evil Dead series) returns to horror with this film starring Alison Lohman and Justin Long. Lohman stars as an ambitious L.A. loan officer who is cursed after denying an extension to a mysterious woman.
Up
Pixar’s latest features an elderly balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who ties thousands of balloons to his house to take a journey to South America. But he discovers an unexpected stowaway: a 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer.
Entertainment Insider: Summer movies and Flaming Lips’ fracas
The Oklahoman/NewsOK entertainment staff – Gene Triplett, Matt Price, George Lang and myself – talk about summer movies and the Oklahoma House vs. The Flaming Lips state rock song spat in this week’s Entertainment Insider.
-BAM
Leonard Nimoy to appear at 20th Tulsa Trek Expo
Leonard Nimoy as Spock
TULSA – Leonard Nimoy, AKA Mr. Spock, will headline the 20th annual Trek Expo this summer.
Trek Expo will be June 26-28 at the John Q. Hammons UMAC Center, 6836 S Mingo.
According to this NewsOK report, Trek Expo features TV and movie actors, authors and artists and is among the largest science-fiction fan conventions in the region. Celebrities autograph photographs and memorabilia for fans and chat with attendees, and exhibitors offer thousands of TV, movie and music collectibles for sale.
Nimoy played Spock in the original “Star Trek” TV series and movie franchise. He will reprise the role in this summer’s “Star Trek,” a film reboot directed by J.J. Abrams.
The event also will feature Avery Brooks, who played Capt. Sisko on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Deanna Troi in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Others who will appear are John DeLancie, Cirroc Lofton, Garrett Wang, Anthony Montgomery, Corin Nemec, Mira Furlan, Bobby Clark, Luciana Carro, Phil Morris, Chase Masterson and more.
The annual convention event Supper With the Stars is set for 7:30 p.m. June 27. Many of the celebrities participate and mingle with attendees. Tickets are $25, and all proceeds benefit the Tulsa Boys’ Home.
Tickets go on sale Saturday online and Starbase 21 Comics and Collectibles, 8222 E. 103 Street No. 134.
For more information, go online to www.Starbase21OK.com or www.trekexpo.net.
-BAM
