With the premiere of Ghostbusters: Afterlife set for this Friday the 19th, I took it upon myself to find inspiration in one of my favorite franchises of all-time. From the films to the tv shows, and the ever abundant toys and props that were scattered around my childhood home, being a Ghostbuster was my destined profession. Things change, people grow up, but the sound of a proton pack being clicked on still makes my heart skip a beat. So, this drink is the merging of my childhood fascination with the destruction of the Stay Puft Marshmallow demi-god and my love of sweet cocktails. Don’t worry I’ll be first in line to see the new film, but I don’t think my Slimer pajamas will fit for the premiere.
When The Grave Robber calls, you must answer. This time, the request was simple, make a drink to honor its dear departed friend ‘Pickle’. I was given a jar filled with Bog Water and I did my best. Now please, leave me and my family alone.
INGREDIENTS
3 oz Bourbon
2 oz Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
1 oz Lime Juice (freshly squeezed)
1 oz Bog Water (1/2 simple syrup 1/2 pickle juice)
Ice
MATERIALS
10 oz rocks glass
Measured Shot Glass
Cocktail Shaker w/ Strainer
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour Bourbon into shaker.
Pour Lemon juice and Lime juice into shaker.
Pour Bog Water into shaker.
Shake all ingredients in the shaker for 15 – 20seconds.
On a cold October Sunday, I found myself running down the stairs to greet my mother who was already waiting for me on our living room couch. The year was 1994, and as an intrepid 6-year-old, I found myself in love with all things spooky and scary. My mom asked what movie we were going to watch, as if she didn’t already have it prepped and waiting in the VCR. “Monster Squad,” I replied, my body wrapped in a blanket and ready to savor my umpteenth rewatch of the film. She pressed play and my eyes grew large as the opening scene of Dracula emerging from his coffin blared from our 36 inch Zenith.
Now, peculiar enough, but this was not my first copy of the film, but rather a copy of a copy that my uncle had procured for us, after the original VHS called it quits, tapping out after multiple viewings. Years would pass and although my love of Monster Squad would never wane or falter, the ability to find a copy of it was less than slim. It was a box-office ghost, appeared quickly and vanished just as fast due to poor receipts. It wasn’t until my roommate at nursing school had strolled out of his room donning a ‘Stephen King Rules’ shirt, something akin to owning a Morpher from Power Rangers or an Andúril replica from Lord of the Rings, a sigil to a fellow Monster Squad fan. After enquiring about the shirt, and us both realizing that our hearts belonged to the same movie, we made a pact to track down a copy to watch it ourselves.
As luck would have it, a fevered petition by fellow fans had forced the DVD release of the 20th anniversary edition, which found itself in our hands quick enough. A long awaited rewatch was paused for a moment as the fear that nostalgia had simply tricked us into thinking it was no more than just a childhood favorite. However, 82 minutes later we were reassured that it was abso-fucking-lutely worth it. Skip ahead to now, and I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss the film with none other than André Gower, the leader of the Monster Squad. 27 years ago I fell in love with a film, today, I hope to spread that love to anyone willing to listen.
Musings From Monster Squad Enthusiasts
“All my friends loved to talk about The Goonies, while I wouldn’t shut up about The Monster Squad. I stand by my choice. I mean, when a Werewolf jumps out at them they will all be too busy screaming, while I will already have my leg ready to kick him in the NARDS!”
– Kristina Mclean / @KMclean04
“It’s the movie my friends and I watched and quoted more than any other. To this day, when I quote it and someone recognizes it, it’s like finding a long lost member of my own Monster Squad. The perfect mix of scary and fun with incredible moments like when Scary German Guy reveals he knows a lot about monsters.”
“You must be ready for him… If you don’t, it’s your funeral.”
Halloween is not just my favorite holiday, but also my favorite time of year. I enjoy looking out and seeing the foliage turn color, and feeling the wind begin to bite as the cold front moves in. Coincidentally enough, the town I reside in is called Haddonfield, the namesake for the one that Michael Myers continues to terrorize. So, on a night such as this, when the leaves are blowing in the street and the moon is the only light around, I find myself looking out the window for something. Or, more importantly, for someone. Might as well make him a drink.
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups of Tomato Juice
1 Cup of Vodka
¼ Cup of Lemon Juice
2 Teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce
2 Teaspoons of Horseradish
2 Teaspoons of Tabasco
½ Teaspoon Celery Salt
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Ice
MATERIALS
16 oz Mason Jar
Measured Shot Glass
Cocktail Shaker w/ Strainer
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour Worcestershire Sauce, Horseradish, Tabasco, Celery Salt, and Black Pepper into Cocktail Shaker.
Pour ½ cup of Lemon Juice into shaker.
Pour 1 cup of Vodka into shaker.
Pour 2 cups of Tomato Juice into shaker.
Shake all ingredients in the shaker for 15 – 20seconds.
“Those who want respect, give respect.” – Tony Soprano
My father had just finished watching The Wire when a friend at work suggested The Sopranos. He was not very interested in shows about the Mafia, as he had grown up in South Philadelphia with actual Mobsters, and felt that their lifestyle did not need any glorification. Reluctantly, we put on the first episode and I distinctly remember being captivated by James Gandolfini. His presence was unrivaled, and we quickly flew through the first season. As I was only home every so often from college, and my father was not a patient man, my viewings of the show were sporadic. It feels unfair to not allow a true fan to examine their own relationship with the show, so I relinquish the next part to Dan.
I grew up with a parent who basically watched The Godfather more than anyone I know. Many people encouraged me to watch The Sopranos, but it wasn’t until I was an adult that I picked it up. What appealed to me the most is that it never idolizes their lives. Instead, it portrays this really sad story of a family caught in this world at the tail end of this Mafia lifestyle. For every ounce of humanity you see in Tony Soprano, or any character, the show never once lets you forget that they are all monsters.
We encourage you to try an episode of The Sopranos, or even watch the upcoming film The Many Saints of Newark, but don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of a Jersey Sunrise. Not too much pulp though, some pulp is fine.
INGREDIENTS
Vodka
Orange Juice (Level of Pulp,Your Choice!)
Grenadine
Ice
MATERIALS
Ten ounce highball glass
Measured Shot Glass
Cocktail Shaker
Strainer
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour Ice into a Shaker and set aside.
Pour 1 1/2 shots of Vodka into shaker.
Pour 3 shots of Orange Juice into shaker.
Stir all the ingredients in the shaker for 10 seconds.
As we FALL into another September, some of us turn to the time-honored tradition of rooting for our local NFL team and having our hearts toyed with up until Super Bowl Sunday. Others find themselves stuck in the precarious situation of indifference, or perhaps, inability to find meaning in these games, and simply ignore them altogether. In situations where you find yourself stuck in front of a TV on a Sunday, plopped next to a family member, significant other, or friend, and find yourself face to face with an NFL game, we are here to help. The following will be a guide from your GateCrashers Football Friendly team of Dr. Mitchell Powers and Rick Danger, where we intend to cover the basics, and help you go from “I need to go” to “Let’s go team!” Furthermore, look for our new weekly series Fast Five Picks with Dr. Mitchell Powers & Rick Danger where we will give our predictions for the outcomes of upcoming games, making YOU look like the expert.
The NFL is the National Football League, comprised of 32 teams, which are then split into two major conferences, the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). To further complicate things, each conference has 4 divisions: North, South, East, and West. All the teams are split, with each team taking 1 of 4 spots in these divisions. Below is a handy infographic to see how everything we just said unfolds:
Dr. Mitch Tip: Most people pick their favorite team based on location, but some people pick their favorite team based on their prowess on the field. It doesn’t matter who you root for, but never buy a football jersey until that player retires.
The NFL plays 17 games (new this year!), with 6 of those games being played within the division. So, say we are the Buffalo Bills, that means we are in the AFC East and will play the Patriots twice, once at home and once away, the Dolphins twice, same deal, and the Jets twice, you get the idea. The rest of the schedule is made up from an algorithm that is really not important, as the real fun lies in these divisional games because they create rivalries and bad blood between the teams. I mean, if you’re Batman, and every night you are fighting the Joker, Two-Face, and the Riddler, but now Calendar Man shows up, I’m sure there is more interest in fighting the other 3 as there is a palpable history. These divisional games are usually circled on team calendars to create a brewing animosity, similar to an 80’s movie montage where the protagonist is training and has the match date crossed out in blood. If your team does well enough and is able to get into the playoffs, that’s when the real fun begins!
Dr. Mitch Tip: When watching the game with friends, make sure to throw in such phrases as : “C’mon!”, “Defense!”, “You got to catch that!”, “Need a stop here!”, and “This dip is really good, what’s the secret?”
The NFL playoffs select the best 14 teams, 7 from the AFC and 7 from the NFC, to determine the final two representatives, 1 from the AFC and 1 from the NFC, which will then face off in the goal of every franchise, the Super Bowl. The first 4 spots go to the division champions from each conference and are seeded 1 through 4 based on their overall record. The final 3 spots are for the 3 teams with the best overall record of all remaining teams in the conference. This process is done for both sides and after three rounds, Wild Card Round, Divisional Round, and Conference Round, the surviving two teams play for the Super Bowl. Making the playoffs for your team is a big deal, as realistically every team has a chance of winning. This has even coined the phrase “On any given Sunday,” as the so-called unbeatable teams have lost in the first rounds before. If you want to talk about Super Bowl upsets, look no further than Tom Brady and the Patriots beating one of the best offensive teams in the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, and then on the other side of the coin, Eli Manning and the New York Giants beating a ‘perfect’ Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. That is what makes the game so special, the team can show up looking akin to a god-like Doctor Doom, only to be dispatched by a spunky Squirrel Girl. Now it’s time to get into the important details of the actual game itself!
Dr. Mitch Tip: Some people say “Defense wins Championships!”, while I reply, “There is no such thing as too much chili.”
Your team is made up of 55 players, but only 48 can be active and ready to play on game day. The three most important people on the sidelines are our Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Defensive Coordinator. Their roles are similar to their titles, the Head Coach is in charge of the full team and the final decision maker, the offense coordinator focuses on the offense and the defensive coordinator focuses on the defense. Let’s run through the Offense:
Quarterback (QB): Runs the offense on the field, can throw the ball, run the ball, or hand it off
Running Back (RB): Receives the ball from the QB and carries it up the field
Wide Receiver (WR): Catches the ball from QB and carries it up the field
Tight End (TE): Can assist in blocking the opposing team from getting to the QB, but also catches the ball from the QB and carries it up the field
Full Back (FB): Usually bigger and bulkier than a running back, receives the ball from the QB and carries it up the field
Center (C): In front of QB and ‘snaps’ it back to the QB while also protecting the QB from getting hit
Right Guard (RG): Protects the QB from getting hit and also allows the RB to move up the field
Left Guard (LG): Protects the QB from getting hit and also allows the RB to move up the field
Right Tackle (RT): Protects the ‘Blind Side’ of left-handed QBs as they cannot see someone about to hit them from behind
Left Tackle (LT): Protects the ‘Blind Side’ of right-handed QBs as they cannot see someone about to hit them from behind
Kicker (K): They attempt field goals usually from 50 yards and less. They also kick the ball off to the opposing team after touchdowns, at the beginning of the game, and at half-time.
Punter (P): If the offense does not move the ball 10 yards after 3 attempts AND they are too far away to try a field goal, on the 4th attempt the punter will punt the ball away to the opposing team.
Dr. Mitch Tip: The Offensive Line is made up of the Center, Guards, and Tackles. They tend to be some of the highest paid players as they protect the Quarterback. I’ve said an offensive line or two in my day!
Let’s run through the defense:
Linebacker (LB): They can be Middle (MLB) or Outside (OLB) depending on where they line up, but they tend to be the “QBs” of the defense. They are in charge of reading the offense and guessing what play they are trying to run. They can help the defensive lineman or they can drop into coverage and try to stop receivers from catching the ball.
Defensive Tackle (DT): Try and break through the offensive line to get to the Quarterback.
Defensive End (DE): Try and break through the offensive line to get to the Quarterback. They tend to be leaner and faster than DTs as they run around the edge to get to the QB.
Cornerback(CB): They line up with the Wide Receivers and attempt to intercept the ball or prevent the WR from catching the ball.
Safeties(S): They can be Strong (SS) or Free (FS) depending on where they line up but they are in charge of preventing long passes from being caught or can be brought up to the line to help attack the quarterback.
Dr. Mitch Tip: If you bring a piece of your own fence to the game, you can use it as a sign of support for the defense!
Are you still with us? I know it’s a lot to take in, like trying to watch the entirety of the MCU so that the things that are coming up make sense, we get it. However, you know the players, you know why they play, now we get to the important part, the Endgame if you will; the actual game. An NFL game is 60 minutes, four 15-minute quarters, with a halftime of 15 minutes in-between the 2nd and 3rd quarter. The teams meet at mid-field and flip a coin with the winning team determining who will receive the ball and the losing team picking the side they play on. The actual idea of the game is straight forward: be the team with the most points when the game is over. The offense marches down the field to score a touchdown for 6 points and then the kicker kicks an extra point for 1 point, or they march down the field and the kicker kicks a field goal for 3 points. The defenses’ sole purpose is stop any of that from happening. The offense is given 4 downs to move the ball 10 yards, once they are past that 10 yards, it repeats until they score a touchdown or field goal. If they are unable to do so, they punt the ball away to the opposing team, who then attempts the same deal.
Here are some common things you may hear:
Sack: A defensive player has tackled the quarterback behind the line of possession. So, if the ball was on the 45-yard line and the QB has the ball snapped to them, and they are now holding the ball on the 40-yard line, a defenseman tackles them to the ground they are sacked! You will hear them say they lost 5 yards (45-yard line minus 40-yard line is 5 yards) and now the ball is placed at that spot and the next down is played.
Interception: A defensive player has caught a ball thrown by the QB that was intended for another player on the offense. The opposite team’s offense now has the ball and begins their attempt to move down the field.
Holding: This is a penalty where a player has prevented another player from doing something by gripping them, players can push and shove, but cannot hold.
False Start: When a player on the offense moves before the ball is snapped.
Pass Interference: This one is a tough one, a player on offense or defense, uses their body to prevent another player from catching a ball. Most of these calls are bullshit.
Red Zone: When the offense is within 20 yards of the goal line, the plays that can be called are limited as you do not have a lot of field to work with or use.
Fair Catch: When the ball is punted and the return team is trying to catch the ball that has been kicked by the punter, they will waive their arm in the air for a fair catch to prevent themselves from getting hit. This is typically done when the punting team is about to tackle them.
End Zone: This is the part of the football field that is colored in and the ball must cross to count as a touchdown.
Safety: This does not happen too often, but when the offense is backed up to their side of the field, and the QB is sacked in their own End Zone, the opposite team gets 2 points and the offense must kick the ball away.
2-Minute Warning: Two Minutes before the end of the 2nd quarter and the end of the 4th quarter, play is stopped and this acts as an unofficial time out for both teams.
Hail Mary: When a team is losing with little to no time left, the QB sends all of his receivers downfield in am attempt to score a game winning touchdown. They have little chance at success, BUT when they do succeed, it is a lasting memory.
Dr. Mitch Tip: I used to tell my grandma she was ‘Holding’ when she hugged me longer than 10 seconds.
If you have made it this far, throw that ring into Mount Doom and wait for Eagles of Manwë to carry you home because this is Intro to Football. The rest can be learned along the way by either watching games, or perhaps playing them on a video game console. We will be the first to tell you that any die-hard fan LOVES to explain the game to beginners, it’s actually quite refreshing. So, pick your team, find your people, sit back, and enjoy the upcoming season! Don’t forget to be on the lookout for Fast Five Picks with Dr. Mitchell Powers & Rick Danger, only on GateCrashers.
“This city just showed you that it’s full of people ready to believe in good.”
As we approach Batman Day on September 18th, we find no better salute to the Caped Crusader than to serve up a cocktail honoring the city they call home. My love for Batman began with the Tim Burton classic film Batman and was solidified with Batman: The Animated Series. Multiple sessions of the Arkham trilogy later, and we find ourselves here, celebrating one of DC Comics’ legendary characters. The cocktail itself is similar in blueprint to a Manhattan, akin to the fictional city of Gotham being a modified combination of NYC and Chicago, but the differences at the end are what make it unique. Now, sit back in your worn leather chair and let Alfred bring you a Gotham, try to savor it as the BatSignal shines in the distance.
INGREDIENTS
Whiskey, Rye, or Bourbon
Dry Vermouth
Sweet Vermouth
Bitters (Orange preferred)
Ice
MATERIALS
Ten ounce highball glass
Spoon
Measured Shot Glass
Cocktail Shaker
Strainer
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour Ice into a Shaker and set aside.
Pour 2 shots of Rye into shaker.
Pour ½ shot Dry Vermouth into shaker.
Pour ½ shot of Sweet Vermouth into Shaker
Pour 2 dashes of bitters into Shaker
Stir all the ingredients in the shaker for 10 seconds.
GateCrashers own RJ Durante sat down with writer, actor, and comedian Mike Trapp to cover his career and current stay as host of Um, Actually… . Mike canvassed his time at CollegeHumor, illuminating listeners to his own path of success from sales to eventually settling in as a Head Writer. We also explored the process behind creating questions for Um, Actually… and his views on celebrity guests. Mike was an interviewer’s dream, personable, witty, and willing to talk about anything. You can catch Mike Trapp on Dropout.tv, or catch episodes after they premiere on YouTube, and make sure to follow him on Twitter @MikeWTrapp.
~ I wanna be the very best / Like no one ever was / To catch them is my real test / To train them is my cause ~ Pokemon Theme (Gotta Catch Em’ All)
It was 1998 and the Pokemon phenomena was slowly building up into a frenzy. As a 10 year old boy, I was gifted a a Pokemon Blue GameBoy Game Cartridge as a back-to-school gift from my grandmother. My introduction to this immersive new world began with a simple choice from Professor Oak: Pick your starter Pokemon, the companion that we be with you to the very end of the game. Each one had its own advantages/disadvantages, so my brain was wracked with fear over choosing the wrong one. Eventually I settled one and made my way onto a new adventure. In honor of this beloved franchise, join me as I make cocktails to representing the creatures that became our interactive family.
INGREDIENTS
Watermelon Vodka
Cinnamon Liqueur
Lemon Vodka
Blue-Rasberry Liqueur
Watermelon Seltzer
Apple Cider Seltzer
Lime Seltzer
Cherry Seltzer
Organic Food Dyes
Ice
MATERIALS
Twelve Oz Cocktail Glass (Pokemon coverings optional)
Spoon
Measured Shot Glass
BULBASAUR
Pour Ice into a glass, filling halfway.
Pour 2 shots (60mls / 2oz) of Watermelon Vodka into glass.
Pour 1 cup (8 oz) of Watermelon seltzer into glass.
Stir.
Enjoy!
CHARMANDER
Pour ice into a glass, filling halfway.
Pour 2 shots (60mls / 2oz) of Cinnamon liqueur into glass.
Pour 1 cup (8 oz) of Apple Cider seltzer into glass.
Stir.
Enjoy!
PIKACHU
Pour ice into a glass, filling halfway.
Pour 2 shots (60mls / 2oz) of Lemon Vodka into glass.
Pour 1 cup (8 oz) of Lime seltzer into glass.
Stir.
Enjoy!
SQUIRTLE
Pour Ice into a glass, filling halfway.
Pour 2 shots (60mls / 2oz) of Blue-Rasberry Liqueur into glass.
“You who swallowed a falling star, o’ heartless man, your heart will soon belong to me”
My wife has always been my guiding light when it came to broadening my horizons. She had repeatedly asked me to sit down and watch a Studio Ghibli film with her, but I always found a way to recuse myself from the situation. Never could understand my own hesitation, but perhaps Japanese animation was something I was just not drawn to, no pun intended. During the pandemic, it seems my own apprehensions towards trying something new had been lifted, as my guard was more focused on something a bit graver. Seated beside my wife, I watched Howl’sMoving Castle and came to the stark realization that I was an absolute buffoon for waiting this long. This masterpiece deserved all the praise and accolades that others had given it, who all shared the same sentiment towards my past self: “What do you mean you haven’t seen it?!” Don’t worry, this will not be my last Studio Ghibli film, but Howl’sMoving Castle will forever hold a place in my heart. For our inaugural edition of GateCrashers: Happy Hour, I present to you Howl’s Falling Star, a delightful Blackberry laden summer cocktail. Bottoms Up!
INGREDIENTS
Blackberry Infused Vodka
Blackberry Liqueur
Blackberry White Claw
Lemon (for Garnish)
Crystallized Lemon Packet (Or use juice from lemon)
Ice
MATERIALS
Shaker with strainer
Cocktail Glass
Spoon
Peeler
Measured Shot Glass
Blackberry Infused Vodka
1 Cup of Vodka
6oz Fresh Blackberries
Pour all 6oz of Blackberries into a small mixing bowl.
Using a muddler, whisk, or anything able to crush a small fruit, begin to press the blackberries into puree.
Pour in your cup of Vodka and begin to muddle/whisk the two together. Continue until combined.
Strain out the larger blackberry granules and place in mason jar.
Refrigerate overnight.
Howl’s Falling Star
Place ice into Shaker.
Pour 2 shots (60mls / 2oz) of Blackberry Infused Vodka into shaker.
Pour 1 shot (30mls / 1oz) of Blackberry Liqueur into shaker.
Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
Place ice into cocktail glass.
Pour 90mls/3oz of Blackberry White Claw into cocktail glass.
Sprinkle Crystallized Lemon Packet into cocktail glass or pour ½ shot (15mls / ½ oz) of lemon juice.
Pour contents of shaker into cocktail glass using strainer.
Stir beverage in cocktail glass.
Use peeler to cut a small strip of lemon peel, commonly referred to as a twist.
GateCrashers 