I grew up with the typical New York mentality regarding neighbors. Always say “hi,” don’t learn names, and mind your own damn business. Unless you don’t see your neighbors for a few weeks, and you smell something really bad when you walk past their door, just keep to yourself. However after two years of living in the same place and not knowing any of my neighbors, I was happy to formally meet the people I had been saying “hi” to since I moved in.

So, this evening I went over to my awesome neighbor’s Roxanne and Scott’s place to watch the movie Fanboys and have a delicious dinner.

Taking place in 1998, Fanboys tells the story of five friends on an epic quest to steal the rough cut of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace six months before it hits the silver screen.

Among the many actors whom I didn’t recognize, Kristen Bell (and looks really good in the Princess Leia metal bikini) co-stars, and the movie has a revolving door of cameos including:

William Shattner, Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Seth Rogen, Jason Mewes (Jay), Kevin Smith (Silent Bob), Danny McBride (of East Bound and Down, a truly awesome new show on HBO), Ray Park (Darth Maul, Toad from X-Men, & Snake Eyes (from the upcoming G.I. Joe movie) and Seth Rogen (I’m not repeating his name by accident).

Shattner, Rogen and Fisher were particularly funny.

The movie is packed with jokes about fandom, nerd life, science fiction, and just general geekdom. It has tons of Star Wars trivia that is woven into the plot. It was fun sitting there and remembering the answers to these obscure questions… although I forgot that Luke’s call-sign at the Battle of Yavin (when they blew up the first Death Star) was Red 5… 13 year-old me would have been disappointed.

It’s a funny movie regardless of whether you are a geek or not, but if you are a geek it’s so damn funny. All of the inside jokes and obscure references had me falling out of my seat.

Fanboys is a must watch. I wish I saw it sooner.

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