FRED Entertainment

December 17, 2009

Win SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE FIRST 100 EPISODES and SEASON 6 VOLUME 1 on DVD!

Filed under: Contests — Tags: , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 1:53 am

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In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: SEASON 6 VOLUME 1 on DVD, plus a grand prize of one (1) copy of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE FIRST 100 EPISODES.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, January 6th.

CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Official Rules

No member of FRED Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

No Purchase necessary to win.

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

One entry per day, per person.

All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, January 6th.

The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

December 16, 2009

Cabin Fever 83: Dreamboat Mickey

Filed under: Cabin Fever — Tags: , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 11:07 pm

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cabin.jpgOh no! Just when you thought it was safe to hang out at the Quick Stop…

Cabin Fever (hosted by the twisted souls Brian Fitzpatrick and Aaron Poole) is the result of having too much time on your hands and access to your local community radio station.

Over the course of an hour, they manage to trawl the depths of good taste, plus throw some music in. How much more could you want from a podcast?… Quality? Oh… we didn’t think of that.

Enjoy! And we hope our cross Atlantic friends can understand the Irish accent 😉

Hugs and Kisses,
Aaron P. + Rev. Fitzy

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CABIN FEVER #83: Dreamboat Mickey – The boys discuss inappropriate emails (both their own and a listener’s), Christmas movies, and Mickey Bubble. Lots and lots of Mickey Bubble.

[CONTENT WARNING]: Explicit contents! We say every naughty word you can think of. You have been warned!

DOWNLOAD: (right click to save)
Episode #83 (MP3 format)

[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/cabinfever/cabin_fever_83.mp3]

SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

Got something to say? E-mail Aaron & Brian at the Cabin Fever mailbag.

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CLICK HERE FOR THE CABIN FEVER ARCHIVES

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Party Favors: They Call Him Flipper

Filed under: Interviews,Joe Corey's Party Favors — Tags: , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 10:22 pm

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TACOMA – Who could imagine making a documentary about dolphins could lead to so much trouble. When director Louie Psihoyos exposed what the Japanese locals were doing to dolphins in Taiji, Japan in The Cove, he found himself a wanted man. This sea-side community celebrates their relationship with the dolphin. But there’s a darkside when they herd dolphins into a cove, sell the prized ones to aquariums for $150,000 each. The remaining dolphins are slaughtered and given to school kids as whale meat. He found himself wanted by the Japanese law for various charges including videotaping undercover police officers.

Certain folks have defended this slaughter as cultural dining. How dare Americans protest what the Japanese eat. The falsely labeled dolphin meat has toxic levels of mercury. Remember that this is the same Japan that will shut off imports of American agriculture and livestock with the rumor of something being amiss. Yet they had no problem giving their children mercury poisoning.

The Cove isn’t merely a talking heads with archival footage documentary. Psihoyos is a cameraman for National Geographic and part of Oceanic Preservation Society. He joins other activists in a clandestine effort to film the hidden slaughter. The film is an espionage thriller with hidden cameras, stealth operations and undercover cops. There’s also a supporting role from Heroes‘ Hayden Panettiere. The film recently won best documentary from the National Board of Review and is on the Academy Award shortlist for nomination eligibility.

The Cove arrives on Blu-ray and DVD this December 8. Director Psihoyos called up the Party Favors hotline. Listen in as we discuss mercury poisoning, the impact the film has had on the dolphin slaughter and the Japanese legal system.

DOWNLOAD: (right click to save)
Party Favors: Joe Corey Chats with THE COVE’s Louie Psihoyos (MP3 format)

[audio:http://www.smodcast.net/partyfavors/party_favors-the_cove.mp3]

The Cove has already had an impact in popular culture with a South Park episode based on it.

HUMPDAY EVERYDAY

Always be careful when drinking with old college buddies because you never know what you’ll talk each other into doing to prove you’re not elderly sell outs. Such was the message of Humpday. The Sundance darling is one of my favorite comedies of the year. The Blu-ray and DVD have just been released. Stars Joshua Leonard and Mark Duplass called up the Party Favors hotline to discuss their buddy comedy.

Humpday got its start with a chance meeting in the land of Starbucks and drizzle.

“I met Lynn on the set of this movie called True Adolescents that I was acting in up in Seattle,” Duplass said. “She was doing stills. We knew of each other. We hit it off as filmmakers in what we believe in when in making movies: improvisation, naturalism and a strong plot. She said, ‘I want to build a movie around you.’ I said, Great, sounds like fun. She called me about a month later and said, ‘I have this idea for a movie about two straight guys who get obsessed with a porn film festival called Hump.’ It’s a real festival in Seattle. I immediately loved it. I said we should do it as two guys try to have sex with each other over the course of a weekend.”

While Duplass was the first actor involved in the project, Shelton had him lined up for the vagabond pal.

“She initially approached me about playing Andrew, the character that Josh plays. I had just played a similar character in a movie. Let me play the married guy. I’m married now so I know what its about. I’ll get a haircut and clean up. And at that point we brought Josh onboard.

“I had not worked with Josh. Lynn said, ‘I don’t know anybody that could play this role.’ My brother Jay had just met Josh at a film independent lab that Jay was mentoring. Josh was a big fan of my brother and I’s first feature, The Puffy Chair. We were huge fans of what he’d done in The Blair Witch Project. More importantly, I didn’t know him that well, but I knew enough to know that we had a very special dynamic. Josh and I became friends very quickly and got very close very quickly. I think it had something to do that we are both very headstrong, very type A and have a ton of respect for each other. I really love him. We also have a side to our personalities that in this life it works great for us. In another life, if we’d been born on different sides of a battlefield, we could tear each other’s faces off. It something about that special love-hate bond that made it right for the role.”

Leonard has a different memory of how he became part of the Humpday duo.

“I got tricked into it,” Leonard declared. “I was dear friends with Mark Duplass. I knew of Lynn, but didn’t necessarily know her work. I was in New York doing a play when I got an email from Mark, who I adore as my friend and think the world of as a filmmaker. He said, ‘You want to play my best friend in this movie?’ I said absolutely, man. I’d love to as long as we can work the schedule out. He sent me an email back saying, ‘Great. Remember that you’ve already committed to it. It’s a film about two straight guys who try to make a gay porn.’ To which I responded, ‘OK. I trust your taste, but please, as my friend, never let me commit to anything without asking what it’s about first.'”

Since the movie was improvised, the principles had to focus on the characters’ history.

“We worked with some backstory, Josh, Lynn and I had these little summits in the backroom of my house in L.A. We had one particular long weekend were we stayed up and talked about the history of the guys. What we quickly came up with was they were best friends in college, but more importantly best friends at that time in life when the world seems open. You’re cocky, young and brash and feel like you can do anything. That reminds them, now in their early 30s, that they’ve lost that spark and they’ve lost that way. They want it back. And they are constantly colliding into each other trying to figure out how to get that back. They come up with a ridiculous way of doing it.”

The idea of the duo making the gay porn comes up during a small party. While the characters are seen drinking, Were other libations supposed to be ingested during the scene?

“There was a little bit of pot smoking going on if you can catch it,” Duplass said. “It was the pot and alcohol. We talked about the idea of taking it deeper into drugs. But we didn’t want to cheapen it and make it seem like it was just the drugs speaking. We wanted to get them tipsy enough that they could do it, but not so tipsy that it wasn’t rooted in their desires.”

During this talk of gay sex at the party, Leonard’s character gets frisky with Monica played by Lynn Shelton. Was that a perk for the part?

“I do wind up making out with Lynn” said Leonard. “That was my one contractual stipulation. I had to make out with the director. I try to put that in all my contracts. This is the first time it worked out.”

Duplass also had his time making out with a woman before heading off to the hotel room with Leonard. Alycia Delmore played his wife. They built up their relationship using 21st century help.

“We talked on the phone and did some iChats ahead of time,” Duplass said. “We both had a pretty good understanding of our characters so we didn’t really talk to much about backstories between them. Alycia had such a good grasp of her character and it’s such a tough character to play. It can so easily become the cuckold who doesn’t know what’s going on and is not intelligent or the person that knows everything that’s going on and is a shrew. She rode that fine line so well, I followed a lot of her leads on these things. It was my job to bring her all the terrible news and feel her reaction.”

The interaction between the cast and crew helped the improv story take shape. “It was a team effort completely,” Leonard said. “It was one of those rare scenarios where the best idea always won and it didn’t matter whose it was. Nobody cared where it came from.”

And it seemed that nobody in the crew knew how the film was going to end.

“We shot the whole film in sequence and that was the last scene we shot,” Duplass said. “While each scene was improvised, they were very plotted out where the characters wanted to go. The final scene we didn’t do any plotting or what should or could or would happen. We were checking into a motel at 7 o’clock tonight and checking out tomorrow morning at seven a.m. We’ll see what we get. We were shooting 50 minute takes. Just going and going and going. Interestingly enough, on the first take we did, about 80 percent of what we did in that first take is in the movie. At that point you know your characters so well, you’re living them, you just follow your instincts.”

The one buggy thing about the motel scene was there wasn’t a tripod on the videocamera. Why didn’t they have the essential tool for the aspiring home porn stars who want to be able to use all hands in the action?

“We didn’t want to get too involved in the semantics of it,” Duplass said. “Ben is trying to decide at the last minute if he’s going to go or not based on the conversation with his wife. Because it’s so last minute he’s only able to come up with this home videocamera approach. There’s a purity to that being less about anything technical and more about saying, it doesn’t matter what equipment we have. It’s all about capturing the moment.”

In the hotel room for those twelve hours was Mark, Josh, the cameraman, the soundguy and director Lynn Shelton running a camera. How did the duo keep up the awkward feeling through out the night?

“It wasn’t that difficult,” Leonard said. “I was standing with my buddy in my not particularly toned body in my boxer shorts trying to figure out a way to make sweet love to him.”

Neither actor felt the pressure to spend months in the gym to achieve Mario Lopez six packs. “Fortunately for press purposes we can tell everyone that we both gained weight for the roles,” Leonard said. “Raging Bull ain’t got nothing on us.”

Both men have been busy over the last year. Leonard played Jane Adam’s boyfriend on HBO’s Hung. He’s unsure if he’ll be in the upcoming season. “I haven’t even talked to those guys about that,” he said.

Most of his attention is focused on a bigger project. “I just directed a feature based on a T. Coraghessan Boyle story called The Lie. It’s about a guy who doesn’t want to go to work so he lies to his boss that his newborn baby has just died. The movie takes place in the ensuing five days between the time that the guy throws a grenade on his life and when it blows up in his face. It was done the same way. We arced out the treatment and improvised the dialogue. Ben Kasulke who shot Humpday shot this one.

“It was the coolest group of people. It was literally one of those experiences where I called all my favorite actor friends and had them come out for a couple days. We had a five month old baby as the third lead. It was not an easy shoot.” The film stars Jane Adams, Kelli Garner, Allison Anders and Holly Woodlawn.

Duplass’ upcoming film with his brother Jay Duplass will be screened at the upcoming Sundance. You might have caught him on FX’s The League. He’s the stud of a fantasy football league.

“We had a series of meeting with the creators of The League that went on for about six months,” he said. “I was concerned about my schedule doing a TV show since my brother and I have a pretty hefty writing-directing career. We work a lot. They said, we really want you. They guaranteed me a small amount of time that I have to work on the show.”

Coincidentally in the first episode, there’s a moment that deals with him and anal penetration. Does he fear being typecast as the heterosexual guy with the tempting backdoor?

“I’m hopeful, really,” Duplass said. “Jack Black plays musicians. I play the butthole guy. We’ve both got our niche.”

DIDN’T YOU DIE

Joshua Leonard might look somewhat familiar since he was in The Blair Witch Project. I inform Leonard that I spent a year worried about him after being shown the original teaser almost a year before the release when it was still supposedly real. I kept calling a pal to find out what was on the discovered film. Had the filmmaking trio been located?

“You weren’t the one who called my parents to offer your condolences?” Leonard asked. “Right when stuff first started coming out, they got a lot of condolence calls. They took that reality marketing to the nth degree.”

FESTIVUS SPECIAL

Happy Festivus. Now prepare to wrestle me for the last slice of meatloaf!

TIGER TRAPPED

Tiger Woods has let his fans down not because he had an affair, but because he screwed a skank from VH1’s Tool Academy. He’s the greatest golfer in the universe worth billions and he dumpster dives for a mistress. How exactly did he expect discretion from a celebutard?

It’s a miracle he can stand steady and focus on a putt since VH1 ought to be VD1 with their toxic dating pool. I often visit a health clinic for testing after accidentally exposing myself to For the Love of Ray J. Can you catch crabs from sitting too close to the TV?

No wonder his wife went after him with a golf club. Tiger was on the slippery slope of scooping up Brett Michael’s Rock of Love rejects as they fall from the bus. Tiger Woods might have ended up in a Devil’s threeway with Flavor Flav if Mrs. Woods didn’t break out the pitching wedge. That’s the rehab Dr. Drew needs to dish out.

INVEST NOW

Too many people have been caught up in Fox News’ conspiracy to inflate gold prices on the rumor of an upcoming robot holocaust religious war. Why in the middle of a Road Warrior future is gold really a good investment?

I watch enough warriors of the apocalypse films. It is my supremely educated opinion that in such a bleak scenario, there’s only two investments for the smart survivalists: water and hot young women. Which means you can get rich in the ground floor of a hot market. Party Favors wants your unwanted water and hot young women with Cash4H20andHOS. Just call our hotline number and we’ll send you an insured envelope. Fill the envelope with water and women and mail it back. Our professional experts will grade the contents and we’ll send you a check. Remember to not send us your crazy girlfriend. Even radioactive mutant freaks don’t want them or crazy cat ladies. They might want the cats for appetizers. You can send them to Cash4Cats.

Don’t delay and quit listening to Glenn Beck with his gold lies. Call 1-800-Cash4H20andHOS before the FBI shuts us down again.

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Did anyone expect Wes Anderson’s The Fantastic Mr. Fox to completely implode upon wide release? How can you go wrong with distributing a kid’s film during the Christmas season? Earlier in the fall Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are earned over $75 million. How did Anderson’s version Roald Dahl’s Fox barely adaptation of Fox not even clear a third of Wild Things opening week and fall off the Top 10 chart by the second weekend? Was it too adult for kids and too childish for adults? Was nobody interested in a Paddington Bear-esque stop-motion animation flick? Or was it that Anderson’s cinema aesthetic has cooled off the folks that might have been curious in seeing Fox? Who became the target of producer Scott Rudin’s Monday morning bagel missile?

Seeing how this is Anderson’s third consecutive theatrical thud, is it time he gets his name moved down below the title since it’s obviously not a great selling point? Forget judging the ticket sales against the rumored budgets. Five of his six theatrical releases didn’t earn enough money at the box office to cover the cost of advertising, promotions and striking 35mm prints. His core audience seems to be people who eager to collect the Criterion Collection discs of his movies. He’s a home video superstar star like a 21st Century Andrew Stevens except he’s got Bill Murray instead of Shannon Tweed.

SEASONAL WISHES

If I have one Christmas wish, it’s the return of saxophonists in the world of Rock music. Don’t let Kenny G. make the sax an instrument of wussdom.

If I can get a second one: Joel McHale and Patrick Warburton each need to host Saturday Night Live this season. Enough with the barely talented tweens stretching on the show.

Final wish would be simple – scratch and win on a Ric Flair lottery ticket.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

This year’s annual Christmas gifts to grab have been mixed up. First off is Warners deciding to not come out with Looney Tunes – Golden Collection, Volume 7. They also held back on putting out anymore Popeye cartoons. So much for real vintage cartoons this year. However there are the megasets of Transformers: 25th Anniversary Matrix of Leadership Edition and G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Complete Collector’s Set that gives all their ’80s animated goodness.

Normally I’d list Saturday Night Live: The Complete Fifth Season as a must grab. This was the season with the last of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players after Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi left. This was the end of the Buck Henry hosted episodes. Ultimately this is the last season of SNL that I’d willing pick up as boxset. Recently the first four seasons have been going at various stores for $15 instead of $70. I can wait till the price drop hits.

There is one thing on my must get list: The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 contains volume 11 & 12 in the series. This is the time when Lucy and Linus get their brother Rerun. Also the birth of Joe Cool takes center stage. There’s still 25 years to go before Charles Schulz ended the strip. This should be a constant gift under the tree until 2016. Hope the world doesn’t end in 2012 cause I do want to see what I missed in the ’90s.

BLU-RAY HEAVEN

G-Force seemed like a joke movie poster in Tracy Morgan’s 30 Rock dressing room. Turns out they did make a film about a pack of guinea pigs that are high tech secret agents with beyond Bond gadgets. The CGI pets are voiced by major stars like Morgan, Steve Buscemi, Penelope Cruz, Jon Favreau and investment guru Nic Cage. Their unit become victims of government cutbacks. They’re returned to the pet store, but you know their fate won’t be stuck in a kindergarten. They must save the world. Kelli Garner of The Lie also shows up in human form. The Blu-ray looks good with the furry fury of the G-Force. The boxset also includes the DVD and a digital copy so you want watch it on an iPod. There’s plenty of bonus features with Jerry Bruckheimer showing us how he made Nic Cage finally have believable hair in a film. G-Force is the perfect mindless film to watch while enjoying the egg nog this Christmas.

Star Trek: The Original Series – Season 3 Blu-ray completes the Kirk and Spock TV years in 1080p. Like the previous editions, viewers can choose between the original effects and the enhanced HD CGI effects. The reason to get this set is “The Way to Eden” with the invasion of the Space Hippies! Charles Napier (Russ Meyer superstar and Squidbillies sheriff) riffs galactic groovy tunes on his futuristic guitar. Napier’s jaw was made for HiDef. Amongst the large amounts of bonus features is an early cut of “Where No Man Has Gone Before” that’s never been released. This was the second pilot with Kirk finally in the captain’s chair. They didn’t get to the end of their five year mission.

World’s Greatest Dad ruined my belief that Robin Williams is a complete sell out whore. How much hope could there be for him after crapping out Man of the Year and RV. Thankfully Bobcat Goldthwait brought him back to the delicious dark side of comic genius. Williams is a failed writer who is about to get fired from his high school for an unpopular poetry writing course. His son (Spy Kids‘s Daryl Sabara) is a gross teen who likes scat sex videos. Robin lives to flirt with the art teacher (Alexi Gilmore). Things go extremely bad when his son dies in hangs himself while jacking off. Robin does what any parent does in such a case – zips up his son’s pants and makes it look like a normal suicide. He writes a suicide note on the kid’s computer to explain this sad end. The letter becomes a hit. Robin exploits his son’s ghost to rejuvenate his own writing career. How far will he go to achieve success? It just gets extremely uncomfortable as Williams finally gives a performance that just won’t play for the braindead that loved Bicentennial Man. It’s such a relief that Bobcat was able to remind us that Robin Williams isn’t just a schmaltz fiend.

Taxi: The Final Season wraps up a prime sitcom in its fifth season. NBC picked up the show for what wasn’t the great ratings comeback. The big focus for a lot of the episodes were Latka (Andy Kaufman) and Simka (Carol Kane). “The Shloogel Show” is their little party for the rest of the gang. Rev. Jim also dominates the action. “Jim’s Inheritance” has him up for his dad’s fortune. His blood thirsty siblings want him ruled incompetent so they’d control the inheritance. It’s up to Alex (Judd Hirsch) and Louie (Danny DeVito) to back up his semi-sanity. “Scenskees from a Marriage” discloses Latka having a fling with a female cabbie. As punishment, they throw a party. The last male guest will sleep with Simka. “Crime and Punishment” gives the usually quiet Jeff (J. Alan Thomas) an episode. He gets framed for Louie skimming money. He finds himself being arrested. Will Louie confess or let his assistant take the rap? The big finale isn’t really a farewell episode with “Simka’s Monthlies.” She’s going to be deported. Judging how lame other sitcom farewells have been, it’s appreciated that Taxi didn’t wrap it up. We can still dream that Elaine Nardo (Marilu Henner) is hacking around Manhattan.

The Fugitive – Season Three, Volume Two contains the final 15 black and white episodes of this four year chase. No longer would Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen) hide in the shadows. “Wife Killer” pours on the pressure when Kimble kidnaps the Man with One Arm. Can he coax a confession and finally gain his freedom? Not to spoil the ending, but there are more episodes. “This’ll Kill You” puts Kimble in the employment of Mickey Rooney at a laundry. “Stroke of Genius” makes Telly Savalas play Beau Bridges’ son. Did Lloyd sign off on this? Telly’s brother George has a bit part. “With Strings Attached” presents Donald Pleasence an almost young. “The White Knight” lets future Mission: Impossible star Steven Hill and Arrested Development‘s Jessica Walter have a forbidden affair with Ted Knight (Too Close For Comfort) investigating. “In a Plain Paper Wrapper” unleashes a mean Kurt Russell under the direction of Richard Donner. Only one more year and Kimble’s entire flight from justice will be captured on DVD.

Perry Mason – Season 4, Volume 2 gives a dozen cases that twist like pretzel justice. “The Case of the Wintry Wife” goes boom when an inventor’s lab explodes. Michael Fox plays the autopsy surgeon. He’s the reason why there’s a Michael J. Fox. “The Case of the Angry Dead Man” has a rich guy gets declared dead even though he survived a near drowning. After a few days of being a ghost, he really does turn up dead. “The Case of the Barefaced Witness” presents Adam West. Always fun to see Batman tangle with Perry Mason (Raymond Burr). “The Case of the Grumbling Grandfather” creaks with Gavin MacLeod (The Love Boat). This is still my favorite legal series with it’s black and white certainty. There’s five more seasons to go.

Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie – Extended Edition should be your go to holiday gift if you’ve got an elementary school niece. While doing an informal chat with 8 year old girls, I discovered that Selena Gomez has stolen all of Miley Cyrus’ heat. Gomez is part of a family of wizards-in-training. Her dad is played by David DeLuise, Dom’s son. The family goes on vacation and Gomez casts as spell that might wipe the family off the map. The only thing that can reverse her screwed up spell is the “Stone of Dreams.” Imagine the hours of silence as the kids leave you around during post Christmas cool down.

The Tudors The Complete Third Season gives us even more of Henry VIII’s wives. Anne Boleyn met the axe so now Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is on the prowl for a third wife. He’s also dealing with an insurrection upset at the ousting of the Catholic Church from England. Mostly they hate Thomas Cromwell (James Frain). Jane Seymour is next on base. She knows it’s all about popping out a boy to maintain her head. I don’t want to spoil this for those who skipped English history class, but Jane didn’t live for centuries to create the Open Hearts design. Henry remarries Anna of Cleeve (singer Joss Stone). This is a gutsy role since Stone is savaged as trollish. He moves onto Katherine Howard. She’s quite the minx. There’s only 8 episodes for this season even with three fresh wives in the mix. The next season on Showtime will wrap up Henry’s serial marrying ways along with his life. This is truly a classy production that properly relates history by mixing education with Cinemax After Dark moments.

The Girl From Monaco tangles legal work with a romantic playground. Fabrice Luchini is a major lawyer with strange ticks. He heads to Monaco to defend a notorious character. However the lawyer has plans to drop his legal briefs for Louse Bourgoin. She’s messing with his mind as you’d expect from a vixen of her calibre. When she’s in pure seduction mode, you’ll forget there’s a film going on. He forgets he has a paying client as he goes native. Always nice to have a Riviera tale on the TV screen while it’s getting nippy outside.

Chai Lai Angels: Dangerous Flowers is a Thai flavored take on Charlie’s Angels. This isn’t a carbon copy since you get five female undercover agents. The quintet are brought onto a case to protect the daughter of a professor and martial arts master. Gangsters swear she knows where to find the Andaman Pearl. She needs help from the Angels. There’s plenty of over the top action with plenty of the ladies kicking mobster ass. There’s a sweet car explosion that doesn’t look CGI enhanced. This is so much better than those Drew Barrymore Charlie’s Angels movies. The bonus features include music videos that introduce the five undercover agents.

Bagged & Boarded 41: I Like Stuff

Filed under: Bagged & Boarded — Tags: , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 5:42 am

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What happens when two young men let their love of movies, comic books, and all things “geek” take over their lives? They run away from their families, bringing only the most essential DVDs and comics to their secret, highly fortified underground bunker in sunny Southern California, where they start recording podcasts that will change the world.

Are they heroes?

No.

Are they geniuses?

Far from it.

Are they the future of this planet?

I sure hope not.

Simply put… Matt Cohen and Jesse Rivers are “Bagged and Boarded”.

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BAGGED & BOARDED #41: I Like Stuff – In which Matt is joined by special guest Brendoman for a spitfire paced look into some of their favorite geek properties, and Matt delights you with the premiere of “B&B Radio Theater” featuring a dramatic reading of GIANT SIZED X-MEN #1. It’ll be more fun than stuffing a cactus cluster!

[CONTENT WARNING]: This podcast may contain some foul language and horribly off-color jokes. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

DOWNLOAD: (right click to save)
Episode #41 (MP3 format)

[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/baggedboarded/bagged_boarded-41.mp3]

SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

Got something to say? E-mail Matt & Jesse at the B & B mailbag.

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CLICK HERE FOR THE BAGGED & BOARDED ARCHIVES

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December 15, 2009

Masters Of Song Fu #5: Round 3 Challenge Voting Begins!

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We here at Quick Stop Entertainment are true lovers of music, in all its forms. We’re also quite keen on the spirit of competition, and of spurring creativity through said competition.

To that end, we launched a unique form of creative combat here at the Stop.

In this age of manufactured and painfully earnest talent contests, we’ve decided to instead shine a light on the quirky, quixotic underworld of musicians that don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.

Ah, but I did mention that there was a competition involved…

Like a songwriting version of Iron Chef, the competitors will be presented with a very specific songwriting challenge. They’ll be given one week to complete their songs – however they see fit, within the parameters set forth – after which time the entries will be uploaded to Quick Stop to be voted on by you, the audience.

Oh, and what do we call this competition?

MASTERS OF SONG FU

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Let us not forget the very special Masters of MASTERS OF SONG FU. Think of them as the iron chefs of Song Fu – one of which will be revealed as your ultimate challenger in THE FINAL CHALLENGE. Past Masters have included Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm, Neil Innes, The RiffTones, and Garfunkel & Oates. Any one of them could be your final Challenge – or perhaps it could be a brand new Master. Only the Challenger who garners the most cumulative votes in all of the Challenges will move on to the Final and face that Master, mano a mano.

So what was the 1st Challenge?

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ROUND 1 CHALLENGE

This is a bit of a fun one. Your first task is based upon the work of Friend-of-the-Stop John Hodgman – specifically, the “700 MOLE MEN” listed in his second book, More Information Than You Require. You’ll find the full list of “700 Mole Men” – and their descriptions – HERE. Your task is to choose one (1) and write a song about that Mole Man, based on the description provided by Hodgman. The title of your song will be the name of the Mole Man you’ve chosen, and its corresponding number on the list. You are free to write your song in any style that you choose.

That’s it. The only other directive is that your song must run no shorter than 1 minute.

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You’ll find the Round 1 songs from each of our Challengers below, as well as the results of the Round 1 voting (As some competitors did not make their Round 2 submission in time, you’ll find those missing songs in the ROUND 1 ZIP FILE, which you can download below).

So what was the 2nd Challenge?

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ROUND 2 CHALLENGE

Write a song about a number.

That’s right – a song about a number. It can be any number, and it can be describing or representing anything. The number you choose will be the title of your song. The song can be in any style you’d like. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute.

If you want some inspiration, here’s a number song from Harry Nilsson
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/harry_nilsson-one.mp3]

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So what was the 3rd Challenge?

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ROUND 3 CHALLENGE

Write a winter holiday song that is not about the holidays.

Your song can reference the holidays, but must not be explicitly about them. However, it should incorporate instruments and/or a style that evokes the holidays. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 30 seconds.

If you want some inspiration, here’s a song from Jona Lewie, “Stop The Cavalry”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/jona_lewie-stop_the-cavalry.mp3]

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You’ll find the Round 3 songs from each of our Challengers below (plus a pair of out-of-competition shadow entries), followed by the Round 3 voting form…

THE CHALLENGERS

EDRIC HALEEN

songfu-edrichaleen.jpgEdric is a returning veteran of the Masters of Song Fu competition. He has been writing music (off and on) since the early nineties. He wrote and directed a musical, The Pushcart War, based on Jean Merrill’s wonderful novel. He has written and/or arranged a number of songs for various friends – some commissioned, some as surprises. He loves acting in community theatre, and is inspired by the music of Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Also – feel free to check out (and add to!) the “Happiness Board” on his web pages!

Official Website: happinessboard.com/Edric_Haleen.html

ROUND 1 SONG:#138 Sir Isaac Quickmud
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/edric_haleen-138-sir_isaac_quickmud.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Zero Point Nine (Ad Infinitum)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/edric_haleen-zero_point_nine.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:The Night Before
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/edric_haleen-the_night_before.mp3]

GODZ POODLZ

Legends foretell of a mighty duo, born in the frozen North. Two neighbors and friends will unite to form “Godz Poodlz” and battle the Mazters or Song Fu for glory and bragging rights! Godz Poodlz are Rüss Rogers and Rod Durre. Russ Rogers was once a member of “Kit and Kaboodle” (still available on iTunes) and currently performs in “Rusty’s Rocking Jamboree!” Rhod Durre was in the Goth Rock Band, “Sear!” Beware the Godz Poodlz Ear Worm! Godz Poodlz songs are bright, funny and tenaciously catchy. Come join Godz Poodlz Legionz of Fanz!

Official Website: www.myspace.com/godzpoodlz

ROUND 1 SONG:#381 Captain Dane Frostline
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/godz_poodlz-381-captain_dane_frostline.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:3455316008
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/godz_poodlz-3455316008.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:A Gift from Godz Poodlz
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/godz_poodlz-a_gift_from_godz_poodlz.mp3]

MANTICESS

Manitcess are Susanne Wolff (Lupa) on vocals and Johannes Schult (Jutze) on guitar. The duo plays melodic song somewhere between pop, folk and rock. Melodies are more important than trends. The band has already played various gigs in Germany and Switzerland and is eager to entertain – or better to enchant their audience with their musical tales.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/manticess
Twitter: twitter.com/schult

ROUND 1 SONG:#423 Red
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/manticess-423-red.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:1998
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/manticess-1998.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:After I Have Gone
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/manticess-after_i_have_gone.mp3]

JALAPENO HABANEROS

In the far off land of Chandler, Arizona, where the rivers flow with sand and cacti, our leader and master, the Lord of Our Lady Gwynyth, guitar and microphone in hand, called for the greatest musicians in the land to assemble a rock and roll group like none other. Unfortunately, they were cut off on the road, and the Jalapeño Habañeros made it there first. With The Rogue Bohemian on saxophone and The Boxcar Bassist on bass and keyboards, the Lord was pleased. Now, they roam the streets of Chandler, playing epic songs and rocking faces, much like Bon Jovi. Unfortunately they are paid in change, and often get thrown into the street, also like Bon Jovi. Their lives have intertwined, and the era of the Jalapeño Habañeros has begun. Be prepared.

Official Website: jalapenojabaneros.blogspot.com

ROUND 1 SONG:#604 Suction-Cupped Jonny
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jalapeno_habaneros-604-suction-cupped_jonny.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Pi
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/jalapeno_habaneros-pi.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Rudolph The Red
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/jalapeno_habaneros-rudolph_the_red.mp3]

JUBILEE JEWS

They are not some traveling country hillbilly act. They are celebrating the year of Jubilee in the form of ukulele based indie pop. They are Akiva Misto and Eliana Bartimeus and they are prepared to rock your yarmulkes!

Official Website: NONE

ROUND 1 SONG:#487 Lady Antonia Oddpolyps
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jubilee_jews-487-lady_antonia_oddpolyps.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:i: The Square Root Of -1 (The Imaginary Number)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/jubilee_jews-the_square_root_of_-1.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:(All Because I’m) Not With My Heart
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/jubilee_jews-all_because_im_not_with_my_heart.mp3]

PETER BENEDICT

Peter is a person of sorts. Since his birth he has consistently occupied himself with a variety of time consuming and completely un-noteworthy activities. Despite this breadth of experience he remains untalented in the ways of writing all encompassing 600 word essays. He does, however, greatly enjoy the rare treat that is writing about oneself in the third person, especially when such a gift should be presented to him at the wonderful time of 4AM. Peter now supposes that since this a musical competition he is entering, he might want to include something about that in his bio. At the way too old age of 18, Peter first attempted to play music. His guitar teacher warned him that he was much to old to begin training, and that he would probably be an emotionally unstable musician that would eventually turn to the dark side. Peter took no heed to this warning, and indeed dropped out of guitar lessons fairly quickly, realizing that he enjoyed learning much more when done alone. In the year and a half since then, Peter has been on a steady rise and will no doubt be taking the musical world by storm in the coming year. Perhaps his greatest musical moment came in December of 2008, when his Christmas caroling band, The Sizzle, took his small hick town by storm with a door to door tour through the suburbs, melting the figurative face of listeners with a funk/rap cover of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. In 2009 Peter has become active in the youtube community, known not for his music but for his notorious use of stop-motion eating scenes and a DIY laugh track. Hoping to hone his barely existing musical skills through the pressure of competition, Peter joins Round 5 of Song Fu. He sincerely hopes that rewriting this bio at a later date will be an option. The Peter Is Competing.

Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/thepeteris
Twitter: twitter.com/thepeteris

ROUND 1 SONG:#315 Mr. Dennimore Evercrouch
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/peter_benedict-315-mr_dennimore_evercrouch.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:0
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/peter_benedict-0.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Lament
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/peter_benedict-lament.mp3]

JOSH HOLOBER-WARD

Josh was born in Canada, which probably explains more about him than anything else he could put in a bio. He plays the accordion, is self-taught on the piano, and highly enjoys playing and writing for both – though he rarely finishes anything without a deadline. With this grueling contest, he hopes to push himself to unleash the best Fu he possibly can… and hell, maybe even some he impossibly can. YARRR!

Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/PossessedRaccoon

ROUND 1 SONG:#422 Mokey
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/josh_holober-ward-422-mokey.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Five
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/josh_holober-ward-five.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Snow Day
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/josh_holober-ward-snow_day.mp3]

JOE “COVENANT” LAMB

I’m Joe Covenant. I’m Scottish. And never have enough time to do everything I wanna! Been singing and perfoming for over 40 years… (yes, I am 46.)… and I’ve nearly learned a 6th chord! Everything I do. I do for Song Fu. (If not for this ‘contest’ I would have never met and collaborated with so many talented people.)

Official Website: joecovenant.bandcamp.com
Twitter: twitter.com/JoeCovenant

ROUND 1 SONG:#297 Mr. Tom Furby
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/joe_covenant_lamb-297-mr_tom_furby.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:2
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/joe_covenant_lamb-2.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Ghoul Tide
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/joe_covenant_lamb-ghoul_tide.mp3]

LEX VADER

Lex Vader was born to a single mother who worked as silicon tycoon’s personal assistant. When she died of poor hygiene, Lex was sent to an orphanage where he showed interest in organizing races and laser fencing. After being recruited into a religious order, he spent the next few years between several of their private schools. In his final year, Lex lost his hand in an argument with a professor over Kryptochlorians. Despite this, Lex was able to achieve a successful business career and even a knighthood. Tragedy struck, however, when a former classmate’s arctic home caught fire during a business lunch, scarring half of Lex’s face. At this point, Lex’s behavior became erratic. When he managed to buy SithCo, the cult that schooled him, he was shunned by the corporate world. No longer taken seriously, Lex started an evil empire and now moonlights with his evil emotronic alternapop band.

Official Website: lexvaderssecretjournal.wordpress.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LexVader

ROUND 1 SONG:#153 Permanent Unsex
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/lex_vader-153-permanent_unsex.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Six (I Am Not A Number)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/lex_vader-six_i_am_not_a_number.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Ewoks
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/lex_vader-ewoks.mp3]

CALEB HINES

Caleb became a software engineer instead of a musician because the type of music he likes best went out of style at the end of the 18th century. Self-taught in music theory, he is more comfortable writing a four-part instrumental fugue than he is writing a verse-chorus-bridge song. After discovering the likes of Weird Al, Dr. Horrible, and especially Jonathan Coulton, he realized that “modern music” can be fun too. Now he is on a quest to update, expand, and diversify his musical knowledge and experience. In addition to singing, he plays a whole family of recorders, baroque flute, ukulele, melodica, pretends to play keyboard, and most recently, guitar. He also uses virtual MIDI instruments because a real orchestra costs too much.

Official Website: refactoringmybrain.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/calebhines

ROUND 1 SONG:#490 Mr. Nehemiah Bloodwormer
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/caleb_hines-490-mr_nehemiah_bloodwormer.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Flight 93 – Memorial to Courage
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/caleb_hines-flight_93_memorial_to_courage.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Finals Week
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/caleb_hines-finals_week.mp3]

ZER0GUY

Sometimes two people get together who are destined to make history. Sometimes they are born into the same family. zer0guy is the musical/life-partnership of Jon and Dan Kelly, long time musicians looking forward to placing notes in your head.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/zer0guyband

ROUND 1 SONG:#237 Dirtbag Dan
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/zer0guy-237-dirtbag_dan.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:203012
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/zer0guy-203012.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Let It Snow, Like We Have a Choice
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/zeroguy-let_it_snow_like_we_have_a_choice.mp3]

JONATHAN MANN

My current project is writing A Song a Day (Rock Cookie Bottom), and my former projects include The Last Nympho Leprechaun, a rock opera, The Mario Opera, a rock opera, GameJew, a web show, and The Mushroom Singdom, singing old school video game reviews.

Official Website: www.rockcookiebottom.com

ROUND 1 SONG:#612 Mr. Barry Screwskull
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jonathan_mann-612-mr_barry_screwskull.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:The Number Nine!
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/jonathan_mann-the_number_nine.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Jesus Christ At Christmas Time
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/jonathan_mann-jesus_christ_at_christmas_time.mp3]

SARA PARSONS

Sara Parsons is a twenty-year-old music composition student from northern California. She participated in Masters of Song Fu #4 and had a blast and met a ton of great people. She hopes she’s better at writing songs than she is at writing her own biography.

Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/sargeantketchup

ROUND 1 SONG:#573 Miss Miriam Poisonblisters
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/sara_parsons-573-miss_miriam_poisonblisters.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:7.5
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/sara_parsons-7_point_5.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Dead Week (A Song About Failure)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/sara_parsons-dead_week_a_song_about_failure.mp3]

CHAS LILLY

Chas Lilly is a man that needs introduction. He is geeky but hopefully without being boring. He has been known to write songs about Pluto, Tim Allen, funerals, and everything in between. People often describe his music as “music”.

Official Website: www.youtube.com/friendswobenefits
Twitter: twitter.com/foldsaholic

ROUND 1 SONG:#567 Mr. Angelo Openjaw
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/chas_lilly-567-mr_angelo_openjaw.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:10 (Things That Made This The Worst Date Ever)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/chas_lilly-10_things_that_made_this_the_worst_date_ever.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Salvation Army
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/chas_lilly-salvation_army.mp3]

KYLIE PETTO

My name is Kylie, and I’m your everyday 17-year-old girl with a passion for music. I’ve been writing my own songs since I was ten years old, and nothing is more fun for me than to sit down with my guitar and unwind. I’d like to use Masters of Song Fu to really challenge myself, and hopefully grow as a musical artist.

Official Website: NONE
Twitter: twitter.com/KyliePetto

ROUND 1 SONG:#141 Devil Anse Doubledirt
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/kylie_petto-141-devil-anse-doubledirt.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:8
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/kylie_petto-8.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Snow Drift
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/kylie_petto-snow_drift.mp3]

ALEX TAYLOR

I am a young musician who plays trombone, guitar, ukulele, piano, melodica, and a little bit of harmonica. I play everything from rock songs with distortion pedals on ukulele, to rap medleys on piano, to sappy love songs and songs about the internet crashing on guitar. This is my first time in Song Fu.

Official Website: NONE

ROUND 1 SONG:#604 Suction-Cupped Jonny
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/alex_taylor-604-suction-cupped_jonny.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:i
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/alex_taylor-i.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Dear Santa
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/alex_taylor-dear_santa.mp3]

SIMMBIOSIS

Simmbiosis – three part band. Defies the usual type or brand. A combo bred, in this strange head. The obscene voice the unseen hand. Terpsichore and muse imbued. Perverse perhaps a little rude. Music composed, a life exposed. Giving you all I can exude. Studio C where I compose. Club Bed where I take my repose. Iniquity, safe haven for me. The rest you’ll just have to suppose. To be among this crowd, auspicious. An honor bordering on delicious. Thanks to View Askew, I’ll whip out my Song Fu. And work not to be repetitious, repetitious, repetitious.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/simmbiosis

ROUND 1 SONG:#646 Hydrostatic Charlie
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/simmbiosis-646-hydrostatic_charlie.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Sevenly – The Magnificent Seven
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/simmbiosis-sevenly_the_magnificent_seven.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Holy Daze
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/simmbiosis-holy_daze.mp3]

DENISE HUDSON

Denise Hudson is doing Song Fu again because last time the contest gave her a rush that she’d never had before. She is thinking this contest will help her further her career in the frightening world, the scary internet (ack!), and in Austin – a city in which there are many Live Music Capitalists of the World. She’s hoping to avoid mixdown mixups, to master her mastering, and hopefully… not become a twittasaurus rex. She’d like to thank her friends – local, national, international, intergalactic, and those from the beyond. Peace, Love, and Grapenuts.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/denisehudson

ROUND 2 SONG:Four 5ths
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/denise_hudson-four_5ths.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Mistakes Were Made
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/denise_hudson-mistakes_were_made.mp3]

STEVE CHATTERTON

songfu-stevechatterton.pngHi, my name is Steve Chatterton, the quintessential one-man-band singer/songwriter net-based recording project. Mom always said I marched to the sound of a different drummer, but she never mentioned which one. Dad had a fondness for bagpipes. Fortunately, neither of them have any direct influence on my music. Specializing in quirky little guitar-oriented pop songs about bugs, the Scooby gang, pirates, palindromes, superheroes, old movies, infectious diseases, imaginary friends and sideshow freaks, I guess you could say I pretty much write love songs. I’m a cheesy bastard at heart. I’m a stay-at-home dad who’s looking to find more time in the studio when my youngest starts school in September. I have an ever-expanding back catalog (at least 3 albums worth & counting) I’m dying to share with the world one download at a time.
Official Website: www.stevechatterton.com
Twitter: twitter.com/SteveChatterton
ROUND 1 SONG:#042 Miss Claudia Inward Burrowdown
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/steve_chatteron-042-miss_claudia_inward_burrowdown.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:My Epic Battle With Gravity
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/steve-chatterton-my-epic-battle-with-gravity.mp3]

GORBZILLA

songfu-gorbzilla.pngGorbzilla is a musician/band teacher in Mid-Michigan. He has been in a few bands over the years, most notably as the bass player/vocalist for the band “Satin Jones” and the guitarist/vocalist for the band “Jimmy Likes Pie”. The proud father of two future rock maniacs, Gorbzilla has been writing music for the past twenty years, and is currently working on his first musical Beer ““ Finally a Musical for Men based on the Haiku by Patrick “Horkmeister” Sweet entitled, “I Think I Threw Up”. He has been happily married for eight years, and is looking forward to this competition.
Official Website: gorbzilla.blogspot.com
ROUND 1 SONG:#414 Nick Nolte
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/gorbzilla-414-nick_nolte.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Festivus! (For The Rest Of Us)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/gorbzilla-festivus_for_the_rest_of_us.mp3]

CRAIG RICHIE

At the ripe age of 19, this strapping young lad has been song writing for two years now. With his mates Meredith and Cornelius (guitar and ukulele, respectively), Craig Richie is prepared to join the ranks of the Song Fu warriors. Finding strong influences from former masters JoCo and Molly Lewis, as well as pinches of Kimya Dawson and Elvis Costello, this boy’s got a perspective on the world to share.
Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/craigtotherichie
ROUND 1 SONG:#275 Mr. Owen Daylight
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/craig_richie-275-mr_owen_daylight.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:The Christmas Beers
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/craig_richie-the_christmas_beers.mp3]

SPENCER SOKOL

Spencer is trying to do things. Music is one of those things. It is painfully obvious to him, if not others, that he has absolutely no idea what he’s doing. In the past he has been musically inclined with a guitar and occasionally with a piano. He is trying to be musically active once again, but this time he is attempting to do so while on the Internets. Creating music is a large part of his 40×40 list and he thinks this competition seems like “a Super Mega Happy Fun way” to rekindle his musical desires.
Official Website: www.spencersokol.com
Twitter: twitter.com/spencersokol
ROUND 1 SONG:#298 Mr. Deadend
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/spencer_sokol-298-mr_deadend.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Unfinished
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/spencer_sokol-unfinished.mp3]

IAN “TWO SHADES” JOHNSON

Ian Johnson was born atop Mount Everest, was attacked by a troop of ninjas on his way out of the womb, then rode a grizzly bear down the mountain and punched Hitler’s ghost on the way down. Then he ate some mashed peas. Seriously though. Ian played piano for about six years before taking a break in music. Then he decided to play guitar, because as we all know, piano don’t get chicks. He started playing guitar about a year and a half ago. His music has been described (by himself) as garage-punk ska-esque acoustic altern-rock with just a little ukulele thrown in for good measure.
Official Website: ianjohnson.bandcamp.com
ROUND 1 SONG:#145 Mandibular-Jaw Johnny
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/ian_johnson-145-mandibular-jaw_johnny.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG:Paulie The Black Nosed Reindeer
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/ian_two_shades_johnson-paulie_the_black_nosed_reindeer.mp3]

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SHADOW ENTRIES

BOFFO YUX DUDES

The Boffo Yux Dudes began in the 80’s and 90’s doing radio comedy, and promptly fell asleep for the next 15 years. Tom Giarrosso and Allan Morgan (Pop Machine) continue the tradition of trying to recreate their lost youth with exceedingly torturous music, instead of spending the money on therapy like normal people having a midlife crisis. Tom blames Mike Lombardo for showing him the Fu way of doing things, and now he has to listen to the voices and write songs instead of doing his actual day job.
Official Website: www.boffoyux.com
Twitter: twitter.com/boffoyuxdudes
ROUND 3 SONG:Our Winter Love
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/shadow_entry-boffo_yux_dudes-our_winter_love.mp3]

MIKE LOMBARDO

Mike Lombardo is a piano-playing pop-rock singer-songwriter who likes to use hyphens when describing his occupation. A recent graduate of Berklee College of Music, he spends most of his time banging on pianos, teaching children how to bang on pianos, or playing shows with his band, the Mike Lombardo Trio. Feel free to go to his website and send him lots of money. Or cookies.
Official Website: www.mikelombardomusic.com
Twitter: twitter.com/mikelombardo
ROUND 3 SONG:The Elf’s Lament
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song3/shadow_entry-mike_lombardo-the_elfs_lament.mp3]

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To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 3 songs, CLICK HERE.

To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 2 songs, CLICK HERE.

To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 1 songs, CLICK HERE.

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ROUND 3 VOTING

And now, it’s time for the voting. For this round, you can choose your TOP 5 FAVORITE Challenger songs. Be sure to choose carefully. VOTING CLOSES AT 11:59pm EST on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20th. If you are having trouble voting, CLEAR YOUR BROWSER’S CACHE and try again. PLEASE NOTE: This voting system bases voting eligibility on your IP Address. If there are other computers on a home or business network that share the same IP address through a router, it may say you’ve already voted. Unfortunately, there is no way around this, and still be able to prevent ballot stuffing. It’s just the nature of the online voting beast.

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ROUND 3 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS

[poll id=”23″]

View Results

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ROUND 2 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS RESULTS

[poll id=”22″]

View Results

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ROUND 1 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS RESULTS

[poll id=”21″]

View Results

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If you triumph, not only will you win remarkable (and potentially off-putting) bragging rights and a clutch of fantastic mystery prizes, you will also become the proud owner of the magnificent, one-of-a-kind MASTER OF SONG FU TROPHY.

Good luck, and bring on the Fu.

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December 14, 2009

SModcast 100

Filed under: SModcast — Tags: , , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 12:23 am

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SModcast can now be found at WWW.SMODCAST.COM

Your TextSModcast is the meandering palaver of a pair of dudes whose voices are so dull, they don’t deserve to be on the radio (and, hence, aren’t). Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier are SModcast.The best thing about SModcast? It don’t cost nothing.

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SModcast 100: The Yardstick –

In which it’s business as usual.

[CONTENT WARNING] SModcast features harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Listener discretion is advised.

DOWNLOAD:

SModcast 100 (MP3 format)

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Wanna add your two cents? Spend it here, in the SModcast mailbag.

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CLICK HERE FOR THE SMODCAST ARCHIVES

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December 13, 2009

TV Or Not TV: 12/14 – 12/20

Filed under: TV Or Not TV — admin @ 7:39 pm

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Welcome to another edition of TV or Not TV where I think I really am Better Off Ted.

Last season, when Better Off Ted had it’s original 13 episode run, I didn’t give the show very much of a chance beyond the first two episodes. This really isn’t a commentary about the quality of the show itself mind you. I have a lot of television to watch both recreationally and professionally so you I’m sure what you are getting at here. There is a lesson to be learned here becuase, as with any show, you really have to get past the first six episodes before you decide whether you are going to stick with it or not because any show needs this time to flesh out their characters.

Thanks once again to the amazing world of online viewing and last week’s premiere I went back and gave the show a second viewing and was very pleased that I did.

Clearly after the first two episodes the show emerged as a very crips comedy that is well written and well timed. Jay Harrington plays the titles Ted who narrates and guides us through the mechinations of conglomerate Veridian Dynamics. It is almost scary to see how well Portia de Rossi plays the incredibly frigid boss Vivian and the rest of the ensemble cast comes together incredibly well. The comedy is good, the writing and pace are tight, and they’ve even kept things topical with elements like pention cut-backs top make the show a little more relatable.

Even though the show is very entertaining it seems to be suffering from one little problem: a lack of viewers.  It’s second season premiere episode garnered only approximately 3.8 million total viewers which unfortunately put it in 4th place for the time slot it’s in. This is not exactly great news for a sophmore season starter.

I don’t really know what ABC is thinking, especially when you look at their schedule. They seem to mix comedies and dramas left and right and for most of December it would appear that the comedies of Tuesday night all have Christmas Special lead-ins for most of the month. Right now Better Off Ted is following the returning/re-imagined Scrubs in this holiday special clean-up hour. In it’s final season, after moving from NBC to ABC, Scrubs didn’t exactly do gangbuster numbers. The fact that it is an ABC produced show is probably what weighed in on the decision to bring it back in this new form, even if it does come across as a barely visible shadow of its former greatness. I don’t think it helps Better Off Ted that its lead in is this new version of Scrubs and I partially wish the schedule were the other way around. I definitely think that Better Off Ted would be better off as the lead in and may help raise the numbers for the nine o’clock time slot as well as provide a better lead in for zombie Scrubs.

I guess what I’m trying to say here is that Scrubs is tollerable and if you can make your way through it you’d do yourself a favor sticking around after for Better Off Ted.

Now that I’ve done my arm-chair programming let’s take a look at the other shows that are available for you to view even if you don’t want to view them.

MONDAY

ABC – 8:00 PM: So let me get this straight: if you don’t win a big reality show you can win an Oscar and get your own holiday special like Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Somewhere Fantasia Barrino is seriously pissed.

NBC – 8:00 PM: Nick Lachey hosts the first Glee inspired reality train wreck called The Sing-Off. I’m sure a cappella never sounded so good… on paper. Strap in folks because this is an all week event.

THE CW – 8:00 PM: If you’ve never watched The Vampire Diaries (like me) than you can watch all this week to get caught up (which I probably won’t). Yup, nothing says the holidays like the blood-sucking undead.

E! – 10:0o PM: The Dragon’s Den concept gets coupled with the vapid of the entertainment industry and their desire to wash away their sins by doing good in the world in Bank of Hollywood.

TUESDAY

ABC – 8:00 PM: Holiday special purists may be happy to know that the selective editing may be left out in this airing of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

FOX – 9:00 PM: Get step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a three course meal with Gordon Ramsey: Cookalong Live. Real handy being able to do this at nine o’clock at night.

SYFY – 8:00 PM: If you never caught The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and you have SyFy than this might be your chance.

ABC – 9:30 PM: Layoffs on Better Off Ted? In this economy?

WEDNESDAY

 ABC FAMILY – 8:00 PM:  Having a six-year-old daughter I’ve seen Happy Feet at least 20 times. I’m still not sure how I feel about the mixed message that a developmentally challenged penguin saving the environment. I know, right?

NBC – 8:00 PM: Well if you haven’t yet taken in The Sing-Off than I’m sure that the finalists being forced to perform medleys from popular artists. Yeah, me either.

CARTOON NETWORK – 8:00 PM: See how Christmas isn’t something bought in a store with How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

THURSDAY

NBC – 8:00 PM: It’s been 2002 since we’ve seen a holiday special from SNL so wrap your d!@k in a box real nice and check out Saturday Night Live Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas. Sorry.

CBS – 8:00 PM: It’s the last episode before the big finale. Will the evil Russell actually make it to the finale intact or will he be in the jury where everyone hates him?

FRIDAY

DISNEY – 7:00 PM: Once again you can relive the magic of The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause 2 back-to-back.

FOX – 8:00 PM: Fans of Dollhouse will definitely want to watch the second hour of tonight’s show that is titled The Attic so we’ll finally get to see where no one wants to go.

CBS – 8:00 PM: They just don’t come cooler than Frosty the Snowman. I remember loving this special as a kid and being shocked at the animation as an adult.

SATURDAY

NBC – 8:00 PM: A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa may not be the best special out there but it is certainly better than…

NBC – 9:00 PM: WWE Tribute to the Troops. If you’ve ever wanted to see how desperate a network was to have a holiday special (or to fill time) than look no further.

BBC AMERICA – 9:00 PM: It’s a shame that David Tennant’s tenure as the good doctor is nearing its end so be sure to catch Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars.

NBC – 11:30 PM: Hopefully guest host James Franco will let us in on the reason he’s been doing that soap opera tonight on Saturday Night Live.

SUNDAY

CBS – 8:00 PM: It’s the two hour finale of Survivor: Samoa and at press time I’m hoping that Russell is a finalist just to hear the jury rip him a new one.

TNT – 8:00 PM: Another celebrity packed holiday special with Christmas in Washington is hosted by George Lopez and features Usher, Justin Bieber, Sugarland, Rob Thomas, Mary J. Blige and the legendary Neil Diamond.

ABC – 8:00 PM: Oh look, The Santa Clause 3 is on an ABC channel… again.

Will Wilkins had yellow eyes! So, help me, God! Yellow eyes! 

 

Weekend Box Office December 11-December 13, 2009

Filed under: Articles — Tags: — UncaScroogeMcD @ 12:50 pm

December 11, 2009

2009 Quick Stop Holiday Shopping Guide

Filed under: Holiday Havoc,Shopping Guides — Tags: , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 6:22 am

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It’s that time of year again, when sites the web-over compile helpful holiday shopping lists to guide you into the deepest, darkest pits of retail with a map that will hopefully get you out alive. Here now, without further ado, is the 2009 Quick Stop Holiday Shopping Guide.

(If you see anything you like, please support Quick Stop by using the links below to make your holiday purchases – it’s appreciated!)

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I’ve banged on about for years, and I’m going to keep going virtual door to virtual door until the word gets out about QI. If you’ve never heard of the UK quiz program QI, you’re missing out on one of the funniest “educational” shows ever devised (the devisee being creator/producer John Lloyd, formerly of Blackadder, Not The Nine O’Clock News, and Spitting Image). The key to QI (which stands for “Quite Interesting”) is the central tenet of its philosophy – it’s not always being correct that counts, but being interesting (and funny). The interesting nature of a given piece of information spurs conversation and debate, eventually leading round to the learning of said informational nugget. Did you know that the Earth has more than one moon, for example? Or that otters kill crocodiles? Soon to make its debut on BBC1 (with its 5th season), it’s hosted by Stephen Fry and features a rotating panel of four comedians (one of which is mainstay Alan Davies) – and it’s one of the most hilarious shows I’ve ever seen… Honestly, you’ll laugh as much as you learn, and I still hold out hope a network in the US is smart enough to pick the show up uncut, as BBC America have been nothing but boobs about it (Hello, Comedy Central! Hello, Discovery Channel! Hello, PBS! Somebody!). Until then, you can grab a copy of both the first (A Quite Interesting Game) and second (Strictly Come Duncing) interactive QI DVD games (Warner Home Video, DVD-£18.99 each), the 2-disc, feature-laden DVD sets of the first three seasons – The A Series (2 Entertain, Not Rated, DVD-£19.99), The B Series, & The C Series (Warner Music Entertainment, Not Rated, DVD-£19.99 SRP each). Keep in mind that all five of which are available only for Region 2, so make sure you have a Region Free player. For those in the US, the very first QI Book of General Ignorance (Faber & Faber, $19.95 SRP) and the follow-up Book Of Animal Ignorance (Faber & Faber, $ SRP) are available, and they’re both brilliant tomes which collect much of the interesting information featured in the first four seasons into one handy volume, plus scads more of those aforementioned nuggets of intellectual goodness. Folks in the UK (and bright, industrious Americans who know how to use the internet, HINT HINT) can get their very own copies of both the inaugural QI “E” Annual, last year’s QI “F” Annual, and this year’s QI “G” Annual (Faber & Faber, £12.99 each), which make the perfect holiday gift for all ages. Last year also brought Advanced Banter: The QI Book Of Quotations (Faber & Faber, £14.99 SRP), which is the most interesting compendium of clever and memorable quotes you’ll ever lay your inquisitive mind upon. Last but certainly not least is the QI Book Of The Dead (Faber & Faber, £16.99 SRP), which is positively packed with quite interesting things about the departed, from Benjamin Franklin to Nikola Tesla. By all means, learn what all the hubbub is about (and stop by the official QI site at www.QI.com).

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I admit it – I was skeptical of Up (Walt Disney, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$45.99 SRP) when I saw the first teaser, ages ago. How would Pixar pull of what seemed to be a film starring an old man living in a house held aloft by balloons? Well, I should really learn to doubt Pixar less, because once again they pull off an unorthodox premise with style, wit, and a breathtaking amount of real, genuine emotion as we follow the story of elderly Carl Fredrickson as his plans to fulfil a lifelong dream get turned upside down by an unlikely stowaway in the form of an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer, Russell. Just see the film, particularly in high definition, which comes bundled with a standard DVD as well. Bonus features include a brand new short starring Dug the dog, behind-the-scenes documentaries, an integrated making-of, and more. The best way to get the flick, though, is in conjunction with the super-duper Limited Edition Luxo Jr. Collectible Desk Lamp Set (Walt Disney, $199.99 SRP), which comes packed with a replica of Pixar’s iconic mascot attached to a base display that also stores your Pixar Blu-Ray titles – including the packed-in copy of Up.

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And you can add to your Pixar display with the Ultimate Cars Gift Pack (Walt Disney, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP), which not only includes copies of Cars in both standard and Blu-Ray, but also a pair of exclusive diecast cars with Ransburg paint – Cruisin’ Lightning McQueen and Rescue Squad Mater.

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We’ve reached a bit of milestone with the release of Saturday Night Live: The Complete Fifth Season (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$69.98 SRP). Not only is it the season wherein the show reached its 100th episode, but its also the last to feature members of the original Not Ready For Primetime Players – now pared down to Gilda Radner, Larraine Newman, Garrett Morris, and Bill Murray after the departure of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Additions to the cast included Harry Shearer and Brian Doyle Murray, plus an increased role for Al Franken and Tom Davis. Bonus materials include audio commentary with Buck Henry and Elliott Gould. I’m curious to see if we’ll get the train wreck 6th season … I really hope we do.

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As the Tennant era comes to a close, be sure to snap up your very own handy-dandy tool that The Doctor wouldn’t be caught without ““ the Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver ($19.99). Not only do you get a fully illuminating screwdriver with authentic sound effect, but it also comes with a pen nib and his psychic paper wallet. Take that, Daleks!

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Oh, to be a kid today, with all of the advanced electronics now available to toy manufacturers. Back in my day, we’d be luck if we had a pull string to make something talk – or an audio tape that would prompt eye blinks and mouth flap. Today, the wizards at Thinkway have crafted the mind-bogglingly cool Ultimate Buzz Lightyear (Thinkway Toys, $199.99 SRP). Standing almost 2 feet tall, this Buzz speaks in Tim Allen’s voice, can walk around, salute, “fire” his “laser”, communicate with Star Command, and even be put in autonomous wandering mode. Yes – your toy can just roam around your room. Creepy. And oh so cool. What will they think of next?

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It wouldn’t be the holiday season without A Charlie Brown Christmas (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), now available in glittering high definition alongside the standard edition of much-newer I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP). If that weren’t enough to get you in the spirit, there’s also the high-def debut of the original, classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP), retaining all of the bonus features found on the standard special edition (same goes with A Charlie Brown Christmas. Finally, there’s a new direct-to-video special starring the original hot & cold duo in A Miser Brothers’ Christmas (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP).

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As a kid, next to the likes of A Charlie Brown Christmas and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (and yes, even A Claymation Christmas), another perennial special that found its way into my holiday viewing schedule was Yogi’s First Christmas (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$14.95 SRP). Thanks to the wonderful Warner Archive Collection, now I can easily show Yogi’s discovery of Christmas (when he gets woken up during his hibernation) with my nephews.

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Many take potshots at the show, but there’s a reason why Hogan’s Heroes remains such a fan favorite – it’s a fun, funny, absurd, Bilko-esque comedy that happens to be set in a German POW camp during World War II. Much like Mel Brooks after it, it made the Nazis into fools, with an Emmy-winning perf0ormance by Jewish actor Werner Klemperer as the bufoonish, ineffectual Kommandant Colonel Klink (the ability to ridicule the Nazis was what made Klemperer decide that taking the role – and the premise of the show – was OK). You can now get the entire series in one fell swoop via the Hogan’s Heroes: Kommandant’s Kollection (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$179.99 SRP), which also contains an exclusive bonus disc with an alternate/extended version of the pilot, a new interview with Richard Dawson, an alternate 1st season episode in German, Emmy wins, a Hollywood Palace clip featuring the cast, and more.

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Wanna zone out for the holidays? Sure ya do! And you can completely zone out by staring into the soothing blue glow of the Mathmos Bubble ($59.99), a rechargeable indoor/outdoor”¦ well”¦ glowing ball. Pretty much says it all. NOW STARE INTO IT AND FEEL THE WORLD DRIFT AWAY”¦

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I will admit right off the bat – nothing I’ve seen of James Cameron’s Avatar has made me in the least bit interested in seeing it. In fact, all of the hyperbole about it from the likes Jeffrey Katzenberg makes the reality of what I’ve seen seem all the more ludicrous. It is the focus of a merchandise bonanza, of course (it must be, right?), so shelves have been flooded with not only 3 3/4-scale Avatar action figures (Mattel, $10.99 SRP each), but also 6″-scale Mattel Movie Masters Series figures ($14.99 SRP) of all the lead characters. The saving grace, though, is that young children don’t know well enough what figures might be from where, and the Avatar figures are perfectly size-compatible with Star Wars, GI Joe, DC, and Marvel action figures. Just pretend their an invading alien force that can only be fought by Snake Eyes, Han Solo, Spider-Man, and Batman. See? Now they’re worth getting.

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Speaking of figures that are orphaned by a mediocre big screen inspiration, I present the 3 3/4-scaled figures based on GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (Hasbro, $10.99 SRP). I’m a fan of the original animated series and the original animated line of toys, so the flick and figures based on it are… well… a bit annoying. So kids? Get these figures, and consider them weird, bizarro alternate dimension versions of characters like Cobra Commander.

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The only figures I was actually happy with – even if the sculpts are a bit wonky – are those based on the classic Marvel characters as they appeared in the Secret Wars miniseries of the early-80’s. They’re being released as Secret Wars 25th Anniversary Comic Packs (Hasbro, $17.99 SRP), containing 2 figures and one of the 12 issues of the original Secret Wars miniseries.

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A few years back, it looked like Disney Editions might be abandoning the lushly illustrated, highly informative tomes that made animation junkies like me salivate over every page. Thankfully, that has not been the case, as they’ve opened up the vaults and been releasing a breathtaking series of books based on the animation process. Last year brought a focus on the pre-production story process, while this year brings The Walt Disney Animation Series: The Archive – Animation (Disney Editions, $50.00 SRP). It’s packed with original production art from the breadth of their animated shorts and features, each one glorious in its own right,

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Speaking of Disney Editions, I’d also recommend picking up their in-depth exploration of the World War II “Good Neighbor” trip that the US government sent Walt and a select team of his animators on, which is detailed in South Of The Border With Disney (Disney Editions, $40.00 SRP). The trip eventually resulted in the films Saludos Amigos and The Three Cabelleros.

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This holiday season is turning into a true Spongebob-a-palooza, as both of my nephews are big fans of the magnificent yellow bastard, and are both savvy enough to know what they want. Which is why it’s helpful that Nickelodeon has been quite active getting the sponge onto themed board games (kids don’t play enough board games). This holiday season, not only can you get Spongebob Squarepants: Connect 4 (Hasbro, $18.99 SRP) and Spongebob: Sorry! (Hasbro, $19.99 SRP), but also Spongebob: Memory (Hasbro, $8.99 SRP), Spongebob: Kid Cranium (Hasbro, $24.99 SRP), and Spongebob: Operation (Hasbro, $19.99 SRP). That’s right – now you can try to remove Spongebob’s Barnacle Brain and Patty Pleasure Center. Heck, there’s even a Spongebob: Magic 8 Ball (Mattel, $24.99 SRP) with themed responses like “Aye-Aye Captain”.

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In today’s digital age, there’s no need to use a slide rule. If you’re not familiar with a slide rule, it was essentially the pre-calculator age way if easily making some quite complex computations. In fact, they helped send us to them moon, and were the bane of many a high school student. And, thanks to ThinkGeek, you can get your very own Student Slide Rule ($19.99), lovingly recreated just for the nerd in you. Figuratively. DO NOT GO LOOKING FOR AN ACTUAL NERD WITHIN YOUR BODY.

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I think the Star Wars prequels are an abomination, but I can still appreciate a good toy when it crosses my path (and delights my nephews no end). So what was this fun toy? The Star Wars: Indoor RC Republic Gunship (Hasbro, $49.99 SRP). That’s pretty self-explanatory – it’s a radio controlled vehicle that small and safe enough to hover about and fly indoors for up to 5 minutes at a time, commanded by a rechargeable remote. Vehicle? Flying? Fun.

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Kid fans of the Nick show iCarly can now emulate the onscreen madness of Carly and Sam with a pair of toys, one of which actually features on the show. That show-specific item is iCarly: Sam’s Remote (Playmates, $16.99 SRP), which also features sound effects (just like on the show). “Random Dancing”, anyone? The other toy is the iCarly: Megabyte Mic (Playmates, $28.93 SRP), which allows kids to sing along with the theme song, sing their own song, or conduct their own interviews.

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As dense as a diamond and just as exquisite, the second volume of world knowledge written by the world’s FOREMOST EXPERT on ALL THAT IS KNOWABLE (if not factual) and the possessor of soft hands and a baby’s face (the former per our handshake, the latter per Ricky Gervais), John Hodgman, is now available for purchase from your favorite book emporium IN SOFTCOVER. More Information Than You Require (Riverhead Books, $15.00 SRP) picks up where The Areas Of My Expertise left off – literally – and presents the reader (us) with learned knowings rare, surreal, useful, and useless, as well as 700 Mole Men (one of which bears a familiar name) and CHARTS! Lots and lots of CHARTS! How can you not want this book? THERE ARE CHARTS! “But what if I’m too lazy to read, and the clarion call of CHARTS is no attraction to me?” I hear some of you cry. Well, there is now More Information Than You Require: The Audio Book (Penguin Audio, $34.95 SRP), which finds Hodgman joined by his scruffy troubadourial sidekick, Jonathan Coulton, and a galaxy of guest stars (including DICK CAVETT!). Did you hear that parenthetical, people?!? DICK CAVETT! Get the audio book. And the book. And some candles. You can never have enough candles.

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Don’t tell John Hodgman, but Scrabble is one of those games that I just never got around to learning when I was a kid. It never came up amongst my family, friends, or was available at all the middle school dances I spent sitting at the games table. So this holiday season, I promised, well, me that I would teach myself how to play. Luckily, I’ve been teaching myself with the Scrabble: Diamond Anniversary Edition (Hasbro, $39.99 SRP), which features the classic game in a nice, plastic, foldable board/case with tile storage and rotateability. One day – one day soon… I will play Hodgman. And lose. Badly. If you want some Scrabble on the go, though, there’s a touch screen Pocket Pogo Scrabble (Hasbro, $19.99 SRP), which is an electronic, portable version of the game.

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Many other artists have gotten lavish retrospective collections in recent years, and the spotlight has finally turned to the great Steve Ditko with the appropriately titled Art Of Steve Ditko (IDW, $29.99 SRP), a big ol’ hardcover volume that has copious amounts of artwork and insight on the JD Salinger of comicdom.

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For years, I’ve quietly lusted after the fantastical prop-quality ray guns that Weta has been manufacturing in extremely limited quantities. Sadly, they’ve just been a bit beyond my economic grasp – and it seems they’ve been that way for more than just me. Well, those sweet folks at Weta have decided to make a Dr. Grordbort gun that just about everyone can afford – swapping out metal for plastic, but crafting it so that they only way you can tell the difference is that the Righteous Bison ($99.99) weighs a heck of a lot less. Will there be more? Let’s hope so!

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When new editions of previously released titles come out, it’s always difficult to determine whether there is a significant difference in image/sound quality or bonus features to make a re-purchase worth it. And sometimes, it’s an easy decision – and that’s the case with Black Adder Remastered: The Ultimate Edition (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$79.98 SRP) and Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection Remastered (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP). On the new Black Adder set – in addition to all of the previously available material – the set adds the newly-produced, in-depth anniversary documentary Blackadder Rides Again, as well as an hour-plus clutch of unedited interviews recorded for the documentary. Not only are the episodes completely remastered and looking better than ever on the new Fawlty set, but John Cleese has recorded new commentaries in addition to brand new interviews with the cast, including the previously unavailable Connie Booth, outtakes, the previously available director’s commentaries, and the Torquay Tourist Guide documentary short.

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Paramount jumped into the spiffy-edition high-def game a few months back with a pair of high demand catalogue titles which certainly do show off the medium to its fullest – Mel Gibson’s Braveheart and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (Paramount, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP each) – under the “Sapphire Series” banner. Braveheart comes with an audio commentary, timelines, dimensional battlefields, a retrospective documentary, historical featurettes, and a look at the writing process. Gladiator sports an audio commentary, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, storyboard/ design galleries, and more.

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On a similar note, I’m not entirely sure why it didn’t get a snazzy high-def release as well, but Chinatown (Paramount, Rated R, DVD-$19.99 SRP) has been graced with a fully remastered 2-disc entry into Paramount’s “Centennial Collection”, featuring an audio commentary, making-of featurettes, an appreciation, and a look at the history involved. Hopefully this will make its way to Blu-Ray soon.

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Those of you only familiar with Steve Coogan for his occasional American film work are in for a world of wonderful comedy that’s now contained in the easy-to-snag Steve Coogan Collection (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$129.98 SRP). Much of the content on the 13-disc set has been unavailable in the US until now. So what do you get? Well, you get Knowing Me, Knowing You (plus the holiday special Knowing Me, Knowing Yule), the complete I’m Alan Partridge, Saxondale, Dr. Terrible’s House Of Horrible, Coogan’s Run, Paul and Pauline Calf’s Video Diaries, Paul and Pauline Calf’s Cheese and Ham Sandwich, and The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon – not to mention loads of bonus features. This is the set to get.

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Be sure to live a life full of stereotypes, and be the nerdy guy (or gal) you want to be with pride by sipping your favorite cold-weather beverage from a Laboratory Beaker Mug ($9.99). Yes. That’s right. It’s a beaker. With a mug handle. And you know you want one.

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Those fans that have only experience the butchered editions of weird and wonderful The Mighty Boosh that have been running on Adult Swim need to run – not walk – to their favorite DVD emporium and snag copies of the new-to-the-US unexpurgated editions of The Mighty Boosh seasons 1-3 that have now been collected into the massive Mighty Boosh Special Edition DVD set (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$79.98 SRP). The 7-disc set is loaded with all of the bonus features from the separate releases – including featurettes, commentaries, bloopers, & oddities – plus an exclusive 7th disc with a documentary, a Q& A, deleted scenes & outtakes from the pilot, the Paramount channel Zookeeper sketches, Bob Fossil Audio, Live Night links, and more.

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In the first DVD release from the venerable UK music quiz show, The Best Of Never Mind The Buzzcocks (Channel 4, Not Rated, £19.99 SRP) collects the most memorable moments from Simon Amstell’s hosting stint, plus a pair of specials and a look back from Simon and Phill Jupitus. It’s also the only place one can see footage from the unaired Russell Brand episode that was pulled after the whole Andrew Sachs affair.

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It takes place at the holidays, so it makes perfect viewing during the season – and it contains what I consider the finest performance by John Candy ever put to film. What’s more, Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Paramount, Rated R, DVD-$14.98 SRP) has been given a new “Those Aren’t Pillows!” special edition, featuring a making-of retrospective, a spotlight on John Hughes, a deleted scene, and a tribute to the late, great Mr. Candy. Get it. Watch it. Enjoy it.

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Yes, I know I’m a little close to the material – but you know what? I’d still recommend you pick up a copy of Shootin’ The Sh*t with Kevin Smith: The Best of SModcast (Titan Books, $14.95 SRP). It may seem an odd proposition to read transcripts of the Kevin & Scott Mosier’s podcast, but the strength of the material means the comedy translates to the printed page quite nicely. Go. Buy it.

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Yes, it really has been 100 episodes since the squarepanted sponge of Bikini Bottom first made his way onto our TV screens. How do I know this? Because there’s now an uber-deluxe box set titled Spongebob Squarepants: The First 100 Episodes (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$99.99 SRP), which is exactly that – 14 discs in a lucite holder, containing those titular episodes. Not only that, there’s also audio commentaries, featurettes, a music video, and even an in-depth, candid documentary on the show’s origin and evolution from the production team., It’s almost as good as getting the Krabby Patty formula.

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And if you’ve made it all the way through the massive box set of the yellow one’s first 100 episodes, it’s time to move into fresh material with Spongebob Squarepants: Season 6: Volume 1 (Nickelodeon, Not Rated, DVD-$26.98 SRP), which contains 24 episodes of Krabby goodness, plus 7 shorts and the Spongebob History Song.

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How about a cold-weather marathon of classic movies, courtesy of Turner Classic Movies? That’s exactly what you’ll get with their themed Turner Classic Movies Greatest Classic Films Collections (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$27.98 SRP each), each featuring a quartet of flicks under a common heading. On Family, you get Lassie Come Home, Flipper, National Velvet, & The Incredible Mr. Limpet. Hitchcock Thrillers presents Suspicion, The Wrong Man, I Confess, & Strangers On A Train. Comedy delivers A Night At The Opera, Father Of The Bride, The Long Long Trailer, & Arsenic And Old Lace. Finally, Holiday brings Christmas In Connecticut, A Christmas Carol, The Shop Around The Corner, & It Happened On 5th Avenue. My only disappointment with these otherwise wonderful sets is that Warners decided to put them on the loathsome double-sided flipper discs.

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It’s all coming to a close, with the Blu-Ray release of the penultimate, 5th season of Lost (ABC Studios, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$79.99 SRP) signaling that the mystery is about to get answers. Right? Well, who knows, really. Regardless, this is the season that showed us a future off the island – and a need to get back. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, bloopers, and the Blu-Ray exclusive Lost University and reflections from the cast & crew on 100 episodes.

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Many, many years ago, I was quite disappointed when the Harry Potter films began hitting DVD. What could have been wondrous, information and goodie-packed special editions were instead rather superficial, cursory releases that left a bad taste in the mouth for lost opportunities. Fast-forward and, as the franchise rapidly comes to a close on screen and the smell of money is in the air, Warners has decided to give the films the editions they deserve – the “Ultimate Editions”, in fact. Gracing shelves this holiday season are Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone: Ultimate Edition and Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets: Ultimate Edition (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP each). Each 4-disc set contains not only the original theatrical editions, but extended cuts, as well, in addition to all of the bonus materials contained on the previous releases. What’s most special, however, is the inclusion on each set of a feature-length documentary detailing various aspects of the Potter films, from characters and actors to special effects and the music. When all 8 “Ultimate Editions” are finally released, they will have what amounts to a whopping, comprehensive overview of the whole shabang. Add to that deleted scenes, TV spots, trailers, and more, and fans have at long last gotten the editions they’ve been waiting for.

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And, of course, you know you’re going to be picking up Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince (Warner Bros., Rated PG, DVD-$34.99 SRP), the 6th film in the Potter film series, and the darkest entry yet (beyond even its finale). The 2-disc edition contains additional scenes, the JK Rowling: A Year In The Life documentary, a sneak peek at the Universal theme park attraction, a Q&A with the cast, a look behind-the-scenes, and a all-too-brief preview of the first installment of The Deathly Hallows. A Blu-Ray edition ($35.99 SRP) is also available, which includes an exclusive picture-in-picture feature with Daniel Radcliffe, featurettes, and comparisons, plus a DVD copy of the film.

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The Flask – Drink conveyance of a more civilized, lushy age. Now you can combine this classic accessory of the drunkard with the lackadaisical ennui of a more modern age, courtesy of the “Meh.” Flask ($12.99). Now you can comment ironically on other’s disapproval of you”¦ in style.

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I’ve looked at Hot Toys previous releases of the 12″ silver Iron Man Mark II and red & gold Mark II figures, and while I marveled at their sleek design and beautifully realized to-scale accuracy, I save my highest praise for the final release in the series – the chunky, clunky Iron Man Mark I (Sideshow/Hot Toys, $169.99). Crafted on the down-low from missile parts in a makeshift cave lab, the first iteration of the Iron Man suit was a makeshift affair – and a far more difficult suit for the sculptors at Hot Toys to realize. But they did. And it’s magnificent. Every wire and tube is captured in the reduced scale, a true wonder to behold. And yes, there’s a light up feature on the chest and arm blaster. Get this figure while you can, ’cause you’ll regret not getting it at its original price.

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Even the off ones have moments of high hilarity, which is why the Blu-Ray arrival of The Mel Brooks Collection (Fox, Rated PG/R, Blu-Ray-$139.99 SRP) is most welcome. Not only does the set include special editions of The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, History Of The World: Part I, To Be Or Not To Be, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men In Tights and brand new featurettes and commentaries, but also a 120-page hardcover book. Sadly missing from the set? The Producers. A real shame.

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So you still haven’t gotten your copy of Henry Selick’s stop-motion adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline? Well, you can easily rectify that with the Coraline: Limited Edition Gift Set (Universal, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$64.98 SRP). Bundled together in the set are both the Blu-Ray and standard editions of the film (with the original bonus features), as well as behind-the-scenes book and postcards.

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Seeing a comedy like The Hangover (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$34.99 SRP) really drives home just how unfunny recent comedies are by comparison. With a straightforward premise – a group of friends reconstructing a Vegas bachelor party gone wrong on the morning after, just hours before the wedding – and a cast bringing their A-game, it’s worth a spin. See for yourself what a sharper script and a sharper cast can deliver. Bonus features include a Dan Band performance, additional Ken Jeong improv, a gag reel, a map of destruction, and additional missing camera shots. A Blu-Ray edition ($35.99 SRP) is also available, with exclusive picture-in-picture commentary, a cursing mash-up, and an Iron Mike online teaser.

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On the holiday music front, EMI has a batch of titles to provide the festive mood you’d like – including the seasonal re-releases of Christmas With The Chipmunks (EMI, $13.98 SRP) and The Beach Boys: Christmas Harmonies (EMI, $14.98 SRP). Also on the playlist are Nat King Coal: The Christmas Song (EMI, $18.98 SRP), Olivia Newton-John: The Christmas Wish (EMI, $14.98 SRP), and the Christmas Classics By The Fire DVD (EMI, $14.98 SRP), featuring a virtual fireplace and holiday music.

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Much like any sketch show, Robot Chicken (Adult Swim, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) is a scattershot affair – some bits are quite good (even genius), and some fall flatter than a pancake. Like that metaphor. See for yourself when you dive into the complete 4th season, which contains all 20 episodes plus the San Diego and New York Comic-Con panels, video blogs, nuggets, deleted scenes, alternate audio, and more.

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Even nearly 50 years since taking the world by storm, Paul McCartney’s voice still remains a powerful instrument, and it’s always great to see him using it in front of an audience – particularly when it’s as historically significant as opening New York’s CitiField (built on the same spot as the legendary Shea Stadium). You can now see and hear that landmark concert via Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City (Hear Music, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP). The 3-disc set features 2-CDs and the convert DVD. I’d recommend picking up the Best Buy exclusive, though, as it tacks on a bonus 4th disc featuring McCartney’s performance from atop the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater.

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Of the triumvirate of Top Gear presenters, I do believe that James May has become my favorite. I think it’s because of the genuinely enthusiastic documentary series he does on the side, from looking at his childhood toys to journeying into space. James May’s Toy Stories (Channel 4, Not Rated, £19.99 SRP) brings May back to the playthings he loved as a child – like LEGOs and Airfix – but with the added twist of attempting to scale up the application while introducing the community at large to the joy of old school toys. So what are the projects? How about building a 1:1 scale Spitfire Airfix model? Or a house made entirely of LEGOs? Fun!

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It’s hard to believe, but Steven Spielberg’s comic misfire 1941 (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-£14.99 SRP) is just now making its DVD debut in the UK. Many call the film a complete disaster, but it’s just so unbelievably misguided and ham-fisted that you can’t help but love what I’ve coined its “Kitchen Sink” approach to filmmaking. Newly remastered with a documentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, trailers, and more. Here’s hoping this spiffy new edition makes its way to the US soon.

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To try and explain the work of Michael Kupperman is to try and comprehend the beauty of a rose, or a sonnet, or a concerto – it just exists as a perfect comic gem for all to admire. And laugh at. A lot. Don’t believe me? Go get yourself a copy of Tales Designed To Thrizzle: Volume 1 (Fantagraphics, $24.99 SRP) and see for yourself. And laugh. A lot.

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For anyone who missed out on Rifftrax’s very first live theater-simulcast (or just want to re-live the awesome in the pantsless privacy of their own home), you can now get your own copy of Rifftrax Live!: Plan 9 From Outer Space (Legend Films, Not Rated, DVD-$14.95), recorded *live* in front of a studio audience in Nashville (the one in Tennessee). Bonus features include uncut commercials and a photo montage.
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Yeah, I’m a sucker for the Guinness Book of World Records. There’s just something so compellingly exciting yet sad about the various and sundry attempts at dubious immortality “achieved” by the people, events, and tragedies included in the 2010 edition (Guinness, $28.95 SRP).
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Most shows suffer in their sophomore season, but it’s always nice when a program bucks the trend and turns in a stellar outing – and such is the case with Mad Men: Season Two (Lionsgate, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$49.99 SRP). Will Don Draper make it out the other side the same man? The 3-disc set features all 13 episodes plus commentaries, featurettes, and a music sampler.
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It’s a juggernaut that’s still rolling along, and surely there’s a kid on your list that still plays Pokemon. For that kid on your list, there’s the Pokemon Trading Card Game: Rumble Game (The Pokemon Company, $13.95 SRP). It’s an all-in-one battle royale to be the last Pokemon standing.
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Nancy Botwin moves her mini pot empire south of the border in the fourth season of Weeds (Lionsgate, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), and the trip to Mexico doesn’t exactly make things easier – or safer. The 3-disc set features all 13 episodes, plus commentaries, featurettes, and a gag reel.
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So there you have it… my humble suggestions for your holiday shopping this season. See ya next year!

-Ken Plume

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Trailer Park: Jason Reitman of UP IN THE AIR

By Christopher Stipp

The Archives, Right Here

I was able to sit down for a couple of years and pump out a book. It’s got little to do with movies. Download and read “Thank You, Goodnight” right HERE for free.

Check out my new column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on TWITTER under the name: Stipp

PUBLIC ENEMIES – DVD Giveaway

public-enemies_dvdShoot me a message at Christopher_Stipp@yahoo.com to be entered to win one of a few copies I have to give away.

In the action-thriller Public Enemies, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp) – the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone – from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang – later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi) – thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.”

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals – from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti – were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.

Jason Reitman of UP IN THE AIR – Interview

If you’re ever in a room with Jason Reitman and your job is to interview him, you need to bring good questions.

This isn’t to say that asking the young lad the usual, empty questions like “What was it like working with George Clooney?” won’t get answered. They will. In fact, he’ll answer as he scribbles in a small notebook that keeps track of his commonly asked questions. He’ll then make a pie chart out of it. It’s not a problem if you’re really interested in knowing what it was like working with George Clooney, but if you’re trying to have a talk with the man in a honest, open way it’s as distracting as someone who is chatting with you as they hammer out an e-mail in the background. UP IN THE AIR is a wonderfully composed film that deals with one man’s journey who is trying to realize his goal of being the ultimate road warrior while also trying to indulge in the affections of a woman on his terms before the terms unexpectedly change.

UP IN THE AIR opens in select markets today.

jason2JASON REITMAN: I was in the bookstore and at the time I was looking for something to read. I liked the cover and started reading it and it completely spoke to me.

QUESTION: Jason, the ending worked for me but at any time during the making of the movie or afterwards was there any talk of an alternative or different ending?

REITMAN: No. The ending was one of the first things that came to me. I wanted to make a movie about a character who learned the importance of companionship through loss not through romance. There plenty of times when you look up on screen and say you know, I am kinda like that myself. But, I wanted a film where ““ it was right at the moment when you realize that she’s unavailable that not only did his character realize that he wanted something but the audience wanted it for him.

QUESTION: What has the reaction been to the ending because it took me by surprise?

REITMAN: Mixed. Half the people think he’s going on the road to find someone and spend his life with them and half the people think that he’s going to stay on the road for the company for the rest of his life. And, that’s kind of what I want. I want half the people to think one thing and half the people to think another. That’s when I think I’ve done my job when the audience is split. Like in Juno. Half the people thought it was pro choice and half the people thought it was pro life. And Thank You for Smoking, conservatives thought it was theirs, liberals thought it was theirs, so I really want you to see yourself in the film. And the end of this movie is just a shot of clouds and hopefully it’s a moment for the audience themselves to think about what they want for themselves. It really doesn’t matter what the character does ““ he’s fictitious.

QUESTION: You felt good about the casting and meeting up with George Clooney?

REITMAN: Yes. Certainly. I wrote it for George and I told his agent that and he said you should go see him in Italy. I thought that was an awful idea. And I got to his house and he had not read the script yet and spent a couple days at his house in Lake Como and he finally walked in and said to me I just read the script and it’s great. It was such a wonderful holiday. He’s lovely. Everything you hear about him is true. He’s magnanimous and makes you feel comfortable. Unlike most movie stars who want to create barriers he breaks that barrier down immediately. Within a group of people he’s working with, he makes you comfortable and that’s really nice. I work with all kinds of people and part of the job is understanding people and learning how to manipulate people ““ that’s the whole job.

QUESTION: Were you the victim of any George Clooney practical jokes?

REITMAN: No, that’s funny. Everyone asks me that and I kind of wish now that there had been some pranks on set because I have nothing to report. Guess he pranks people that deserve it and I guess he liked us.

QUESTION: Are you keeping track of our questions?

REITMAN: I’m keeping track of every question that I’m asked. I am going to show you a pie chart of all the questions I’m asked”¦..asked about Ghostbusters 3 twelve times in the last week. Make it 13…

jason3QUESTION: How tough was it for you to make George kind of detached, kind of a propagandistic? He’s kind of hard to like in the beginning but obviously at the end we feel great, he warms by the end of it. Creating this character he’s very cold and very standoffish. It was a rift I would think to take a character like him and make him not so likeable in the beginning and then shift that towards the end.

REITMAN: It’s funny, because I find that sometimes audiences find Michael likeable from the beginning and sometimes they don’t and it has a lot to do with your perspective of his lifestyle. If you kind of embrace his version of life at the beginning of the film then he doesn’t come off cold, he’s more likeable. There’s something oddly exotic being around strangers all the time instead of the same old people. I don’t get along very well with my family so I really think that character in the film is just as much me. Really, it’s not about making somebody likeable or unlikable or positive or negative. I don’t really believe in that. I think that human beings are grey, not black and white. Unlikable just means that one person”¦.hey, someone married Hitler. We’re all grey. So I just want to humanize his life as much as possible.

QUESTION: What did you learn after this experience that you didn’t know before?

REITMAN: I think I’ve become a better director. Just over my three films I’ve become more detailed in my filmmaking. I think my first film was basically a satire and lived in an elevated reality and was much more contrarian and funny. And over the last few films, Juno and now this one I’ve become more and more interested in the human experience rather than just being funny. This film has as much of me in it as any film I can imagine. And a lot has to do with trusting my instincts.

QUESTION: There is a lot of depth and substance going on in this film.

REITMAN: We are all faced with what we want in our lives and who we want in our lives and it’s becoming a more complicated question because of technology that we view ourselves oddly closer to more people ““ let’s say we have 1,000 friends on Facebook but we not ever see them. And because of technology we are actually distancing ourselves. We are in a strange moment in time where we can be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. And that raises a lot of questions as to who are you going to be lose to and how are you going to be close to them?

jason4QUESTION: I was just going to ask you about Twitter. I see you tweet quite a bit.

REITMAN: Yes.

QUESTION: I’ve noticed in the last few days you tweet as much as I do.

REITMAN: Is it entertaining?

QUESTION: Yes it is actually.

REITMAN: Am I tweeting too much? Should I hold back a little? It’s a very tricky entertainment form.

QUESTION: So do you think Simmons is your good luck charm?

REITMAN: Yes. He is. Woody Allen and Alfred Hitchcock had all these beautiful women as their muses and I have J.K. Simmons.

(Laughs)

REITMAN: He’s in every movie I do. He’s just my voice.

QUESTION: It seems like J.K. Simons and Jason Bateman are always in the same movie. Are they a package deal?

REITMAN: That’s true. They were in Extract. That’s funny. Do you know what it is? They are just great guys. Bill Macy also. When you start to see people cast over and over, there is a reason why. It’s one, they are great to be on set and two, they know how to do their job ““ cine-technicians.

QUESTION: You said this movie is about the closest thing you’ve written to an original screenplay. I’ve seen your previous interviews where you said you have distilled more of your own life experience into this book ““ how did you approach writing this knowing that you had a book and also wanted to diffuse your own elements into that. How long was that process?

REITMAN: It took six years to write and to give you an idea, Alex is not in the book, Natalie is not in the book, firing on line is not in the book, the backpack speech is not in the book, the wedding is not in the book, cardboard cut-out is not in the book, so, the plot is very much my own. I took a character philosophy that I really identified with and went from there and made my own film. It was a journalist who actually put it best, and I wish I could say I wrote this but I didn’t, he said to me the book is about a man losing it and the movie is about a man finding it. I thought that was appropriately said.

QUESTION: How much did the economy affect the film?

REITMAN: When I originally started writing this I saw it as a satire, a corporate satire and as I changed and the world changed, I realized that I need to be more authentic in the way I approach people losing their jobs and I’m sure you know this but we put ads in the paper and got real people to come in and go on camera as people get fired in the film.

QUESTION: After the success of Juno it is still difficult to get movies made. Do you still have to struggle to execute your own particular vision?

REITMAN: Juno really changed my life. That was a movie that was made for $7 million dollars and went on to earn $230 million. It’s so strange. I wrote the script and no one ever pushed me on anything. Paramount really supported me and the vision of this film and it’s harder and harder to make these kinds of movies these days but they really went to bat for me.

QUESTION: Even your co-producer?

REITMAN: My dad you mean? Yeah, my dad went to bat for me too.

(Laughs)

QUESTION: Did you meet Walter Kirn at all?

REITMAN: Yes. Walter and I are friends now. I make a cordial reach out to the authors that I work with ““ Chris Buckley, Walter Kirn, Diablo Cody and I are very close and now I work with Jenny Lument and Joyce Major in two different projects. I have become close with both of them. Never really want to get into a Stanley Kubrick situation ““ there’s no point. So, I reach out and try to make it very clear from the beginning that look a movie and a book are two different things and I’m making a movie here and not a book but I have a tremendous amount of respect for the work they did and try to keep them in the loop but a movie is not a book. Some authors feel like they have been kicked aside and I try and make them feel the opposite.

jason1QUESTION: I flew back from LA this morning and I used my Southwest Avis card to cut in line. What kinds of cards to you have that you feel powerful ““ cards with points?

REITMAN: I am proudest of my Academy card. It is the most exciting to me. I carry that everywhere proudly. I took a flight from out of Chicago and back in the summer once just to retain my status.

(Laughs)

QUESTION: You mentioned the Academy ““ just before you came in we were talking about the best picture nominees, how do you feel?

REITMAN: I don’t like it. It could wind up very favorable for me. I think that ““ look it’s been around for 80 years and call me a traditionalist but I like that there were five. That made it a more exclusive club and Juno got in when it’s was there was just five and doesn’t have an asterisk next to it. I would like to have been consulted. I’m a member of the academy. It’s not like I voted on this. I just woke up one morning and there was a new rule and it seems to have been done for the wrong reasons. The Oscars is one of the few achievements that seem to mean anything and it’s just sad ““ I don’t know what they were going after. I don’t think GI Joe is suddenly going to be nominated. I don’t buy it.

QUESTION: Isn’t it also about the music?

REITMAN: I think the music category is a little messed up and I’ve had two movies in a row with great songs and songs that are ineligible. Songs that were unpublished songs. The song from Juno, and the song that Brad Smith wrote for this movie. Never published. It is an original song and rules just made it ineligible. It’s a Disney rule.

(Laughs)

CHRISTOPHER STIPP: I read in an interview you related a great story about when you first started doing a lot of this film work in high school when you were investigating something going on in your school and you literally had a camera flipped on you. It struck me as interesting that a process of something so simple could suddenly change the way you view something. To a larger point, how do you keep things fresh about the way you see yourself as a director to make sure you are not going to stay in your own comfort zone?

REITMAN: I just try to keep myself open to new experiences. I love going into places where I know nobody and talk to strangers and hopefully that constant influx of conversation will keep me a little bit fresh. Everyone runs out of things to say.

QUESTION: Do you think you will?

REITMAN: Every director. Except maybe Kubrick. I think everyone does and it’s just a fact of life. Musicians, every artist does. And at that point I hope I’ll find happiness from something else.

CS: That speaks to the point of the movie that you’re doing it because you need ““ these people that are getting fired depend on these little jobs to keep their lives in balance and once these things go away people are like in freefall ““ did it have an effect on you personally or the way you look at your job?

REITMAN: Yes. A real sense of purpose from the filmmaking. I do it 7 days a week and it’s what I live for. That’s the only way to be a filmmaker because it’s too competitive. If anyone took that away from me, it would be really tough.

QUESTION: You mentioned Jenny Lument. Are you in a position to elaborate on that project?

REITMAN: A little bit. Basically she written a wonderful screenplay ““ I’m working on it with her right now ““ she approached the girl who wrote Rachel Getting Married and I just love it.

QUESTION: A period piece? Contemporary?

REITMAN: Contemporary. I don’t think I could make a period piece. I don’t really care about people who lived in the past. I don’t understand why their stories need to be told and retold. If you’ve ever seen someone making a movie with someone in a petticoat ““ it’s”¦

(Laughs)

To be fair, Thank You for Smoking was a time piece and we made it to that time. It was about 1997 and Joyce Major’s book takes place in the late 80’s, but I have a point of view on those because I was alive during that time but I won’t be making a movie about an era I don’t have some sort of perspective on. Maybe that will change. I don’t know. You never say never.

jason5QUESTION: The fashion design, you had the uniformity of the hotel rooms you had the sparseness of Ryan’s apartment and then cue up to the sequence in Milwaukee where you had that arcane, older chalet type hotel. Can you elaborate more on that?

REITMAN: We made a decision that we were going to make an arch across the film that costumes, lighting, extras, shooting, design, everything in which the beginning of the movie was going to be beautifully lit and stylish and shot slickly and over the course of the film it would become more and more warmed it up and by the end of the film, we’d be shooting hand held, using long lenses, and warm lighting. Even the extras at the beginning of the film were chosen because they were better looking and in better shape. We were looking for more average at the end of the film, walking through the airport, it’s hand held, people are dressed sloppy, people are mopping the floor, the lighting is not as pretty and the movie goes through an overall transition from slick to real.

CS: There’s the old adage that a movie is made three times, once when you write it, once when you shoot it and once when you edit it. Did you find along those lines you were discovering those things you weren’t expecting?

REITMAN: Oh yeah. The movie tells itself. It’s even more than three times. One movie changes every day. I like to consider it one long process. Yea, I want to get it to the screen and it’s going to require me to do all these different things along the way ““ involving many different departments making thousands of decisions a day, whether you know it or not and it’s a constant discovery process. In other words, the process starts with an idea and then ends with the same idea.

QUESTION: What’s your favorite Ivan Reitman movie?

REITMAN: It’s tough because what was his most import film? What was his most influential film? It would be a different answer for each. If I was to sit down and watch any one of his films right now I’d pull up Stripes. That’s the most fun to watch. He’s the most culturally impactful film is either Ghostbusters or Animal House depending on what you’re looking at. And his best movie is probably, Dave.

QUESTION: Did you take that patch that you found at the TV station?

arizonaREITMAN: No, I’m not that rude. It was crazy to see that. The Arizona state flag / Ghostbusters patch where this ghost picks up this symbol of the cross that was made out of the Arizona state flag.

QUESTION: What are your thoughts about film critics?

REITMAN: Film critics, I think in my case, are very important because they are the reason people see my kind of movies. In increasing noise, they are one of the last voice boxes that give people to see movies that are made for adults. There’s plenty of marketing out there for films that are made for kids. So as one of the few people who try to make movies for adults, I am very grateful that the critic still exists and hold weight.

QUESTION: Bet you weren’t impressed with GI Joe? Not your best picture nominee?

(Laughs)

REITMAN: GI Joe? I liked the scene when he puts his arm out and the venom finds it’s way out. That was pretty cool.

CS: If you are a director, does Michael Bay through school saying, “I’m going to make Michael Bay kind of movies?”

REITMAN: I don’t think you go through school thinking you’re going to make a certain kind of movie, you just start making movies and say, “Oh, I guess I’m that kind of a director.” I would love to co-direct a movie with Michael Bay. I’d like to do a movie where he directs all the drama and I direct all the action.

(Laughs)

“From the makers of Transformers and Juno”¦”

(Laughs)

I think that would be awesome. I did float that to Paramount. I’m still up for it but not sure Michael would be up for it.

QUESTION: Would you be up for MTV music video awards or movie awards?

REITMAN: No, no

QUESTION: Oh, full feature length

REITMAN: Yeah, gotta spend $500 million ““ should cost a fortune. But, again, if I run out of things to say, maybe I’ll direct one of those films. But in the meantime I like small personal films. That’s what gets me excited.

QUESTION: I was there last night when you talked about that quote from the writer who made”¦

REITMAN: I still have to do research. I work from the heart and it’s a story I want to tell. That’s more important to me than details of what actually happened. The story was, there was an interview and the guys asked “How to you figure out all these kinds of things that various explosives work” and he goes, “I don’t even know what a detonator is. I just like the word.” What a great quote, right? You can tell sometimes when a writer cares too much about the details and what happened and cares too little about real drama. But you guys are journalists; it speaks to what you do. Like Shattered Glass.

(Laughs)

CS: The movie itself is sort of a meditation on the nature of work of doing what you love or doing what you like or doing what you’re feeling comfortable in doing. Because I have a job and I like my little place and I don’t know what I’d do without it. I’ve been laid off 3 times before and I’m 34 and I’m not really big on “the man” but what is the nature of work to you?

REITMAN: It defines me. It’s who I am. I’m a director. When you introduce me to someone, that’s the first thing you would say about me. It’s what I wake up and go to sleep thinking about. I think this film. Someone told me when a film works it’s a mirror. When any story works, it’s a mirror. You simply see yourself in it and that’s very important to me. I won’t let you see me in my work, I will only let you see yourself. Like when I did “Smoking”, I didn’t do The Insider. I didn’t make a movie to end up asking you a question – in the fact that the movie speaks to you in that way makes me happy because it speaks to you individually in that way. I don’t make movies to change people, I just want people to see themselves in them.

Trailer Park: Tao Ruspoli of FIX

Filed under: Interviews,Trailer Park — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 2:15 am

By Christopher Stipp

The Archives, Right Here

I was able to sit down for a couple of years and pump out a book. It’s got little to do with movies. Download and read “Thank You, Goodnight” right HERE for free.

Check out my new column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on TWITTER under the name: Stipp

Tao Ruspoli – Interview

FIX is one of those movies you didn’t know you needed to see until you’re ensconced in the reality that director Tao Ruspoli made a movie with a compelling premise, is shot with a style that blends fiction and reality in a real exciting way, and is a completely independent vision. People can get hung up on particulars when it comes to a movie’s presentation when you are saddled with a low budget but Tao completely bucks that by incorporating his low budget into a style that makes the movie feel more authentic. When you’re able to have Oliver Stone provide a pull-quote for your movie, things are going well.

Based on a story where a filmmaker is on the hunt for his brother in order to find him and deliver him to rehab or have the guy shipped back to prison for a three year sentence, FIX happens all in one day and explores the nuances, pieces of Los Angeles that don’t normally get shown in films that use Tinseltown as a backdrop. The pace is furious, the clock is ticking, and the film couldn’t be any more enjoyable than it is. Tao Ruspoli spent some time talking with me about his film.

FIX is now playing and will soon be out on DVD.  (Add it to your Netflix queue)

tao4CHRISTOPHER STIPP:  Hello, Tao.

TAO RUSPOLI: Hi, how are you doing?

CS:  I’m doing fine.  What’s this process been like to finally get this movie out in the open, at least theatrically for you?

RUSPOLI: Well, it’s been so gratifying.  I’ve gotten used to the idea that it’s an uphill battle for independent films these days, but it’s been gratifying throughout.  We’ve gone to 35 film festivals, traveled all over the world, and already, that was beyond anything I expected from the movie.  So now a year and a half later for it to come out is just the icing.  I’m so happy that the public will be able to see it at last.

CS:  Please tell me ““ and I wanted to save this question for you ““ it says based on true events and I want to know how true is this movie, it has a great premise, how true is this?

RUSPOLI: The premise is what’s true.  What happened was my brother’s battles with addictions throughout his life and he had gotten a deal (this was several years ago) from a judge that said, well, you can either go to rehab or I’m going to send you to prison for 3 years.  And of course he chose rehab and the judge gave him 10 days in the rehab.  On the 8th day he got arrested for something else.

I was working in San Francisco working on a documentary and I got a call from his lawyer saying someone has to bail him out tomorrow and get him back to rehab by 8:00 o’clock tomorrow night he’s going to prison for 3 years because he’ll be in breech of this judgment.  So, that’s what happened.  I drove down overnight and picked him up and found out that $5,000 was needed to admit him to rehab and the way we got the $5,000 was not as exciting as it was in the movie.  It just was going around and borrowing from friends and my credit card a little bit.  So we dropped him off ““ and I don’t want to give away anything ““ but those are the true facts.  The structure is true but then all of the in between was scripted.  I got to spend some time with my brother.  Recklessness on one hand is scary for some people but he lives life to the fullest and takes risks that a lot of us are afraid to take and travel into worlds that many of us don’t travel in.

I think our job as filmmakers is to expands people’s worlds a little bit and that’s what the lead character does in the movie.  His nickname is Hermes and the precept is it’s his graffiti writing name but actually Hermes was the god of crossing boundaries – guide to the underworld and that’s what he is to us.

CS:  Now the film itself, obviously, Olivia was the main attraction in the film as she mentioned to me, you had to work around her schedule, like on the weekends and that sort of approach that we can only do these on certain days.  What was that like as a filmmaker to be constrained by when you could shoot this thing?

tao2RUSPOLI: It turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  Two weeks before we started shooting she got the role on House, and of course I couldn’t ask her not to do that.  As much as she loves me I said, OK, we will change the whole schedule around hers.  The producer nearly had a heart attack but then what we ended up doing is shooting the film in order and then edited it during the week and could see how it was coming together and because of that and our style, we got to really learn as we went and learned what worked and how we could get the best of both worlds doing like the documentary film but in a dramatic, visceral style.

So we would shoot for a few days and edit the first 10 minutes of the film or whatever it was and then the next weekend we would shoot the next 10 minutes of the movie.  It was a wonderful process because we really got to know what we had in the can before we kept going.  Usually you cram all this shooting together and then see what you have at the end.

CS:  So I assume you were working with Paul Forte the whole time?

RUSPOLI: Yes, exactly.  Paul would come on set and he’s here now actually.  He came for the premiere.  He’s a very close partner of mine and would be on set capturing the footage.  One crazy story is that we were in Watts shooting in the projects and Paul was in the RV and we thought it was so nice and welcoming and forgot that we in a rather dangerous part of town and so we let our guard down and someone came in with a gun and held him up and took the laptop he was using to capture the footage.  Luckily he had already backed it up and put it on a hard dive that was put away or we wouldn’t have been able to finish the movie because no one would have gone back.

CS:   That kind of speaks to the film, showing a different side of LA that not a whole lot of people know about.  What was it like shooting in all these different locations?  Like you said, some were very welcoming.  Did you find anything unique that you never knew about living in LA?

RUSPOLI: Absolutely.  First of all, that’s what I love about LA.  You have to understand that the movie is about a microcosm of the road movie.  It’s a road movie on concentrate.  You have to imagine that a road movie takes across a great distance and for a long period of time and you see the characters have all been changed as they proceed through different worlds.  Well, this takes that convention and strips it down to it’s essence because you traverse all these worlds that are all in one city and all in one day.  All in one 12 hour period.

I think LA is one of the few places you can do that because it’s like a blank slate in a way and has all these local worlds that a lot of people don’t move from one to the other, so you have Boheminan artist community next to the isolated Beverly Hills community and there’s chop shops in east LA and downtown and rural areas and suburban and the lead character is one who easily goes from one to the other which is very unusual in real life to find somebody who can do that and that’s what’s so charming about him and so compelling that he can feel equally comfortable in a mansion in Beverly Hills as he can in the projects in Watts.  I always loved that about LA.  LA sort of becomes a main character of the movie because it has this very strong presence as this post modern city where there is no center and it’s what you make of it, all decentralized and amazing.

CS:  Looking up on your IMDB page, it proclaims you as a documentary filmmaker.  To me it almost felt like if Michael Moore were to make a straight up a work of fiction that wasn’t strictly documentary ““ was this a different change for you as a filmmaker?

RUSPOLI: Absolutely.  We wrote a script that was very tight but like about the documentary style is that a) I come from it so I felt comfortable telling a story in that way.  Of course a documentarian tells a story as well, right?  But it has this visceral immediate truthfulness I think that hopefully when people watch the film feel this is really happening.  They will wonder how much is real and how much isn’t and the wonderful thing is in the old day, we’ve come a long way since the Blair Witch Project when documentary style meant shaky camera and horrible image quality.

tao1Now with HD you have the best of both worlds.  You have the immediacy of the documentary and you also have this rich color and cinematic quality that is so wonderful that you can achieve now with these high quality digital cameras.  So I really thought it was a great way to move from documentary into narrative.  It was a smooth transition into it.

CS:  I think it’s a natural extension if you ““ I’m not comparing it to paranormal activity which did gang busters ““ but people are not used to it through reality television of consuming a story that is done with a verities style.  People are now more comfortable with it and I think there’s lots of things now ““ the movie itself and correct me if I’m wrong ““ but your film looks ahead of the curve in terms of presenting a narrative but not so much in the traditional style.

RUSPOLI: I think the style is very avant-garde because it doesn’t look like armature camera people.  The filmmaker in the movie is a filmmaker so it makes sense that he would pay attention to structure and composition and go back and make the film as cinematically and in a structured way as possible.  And that’s what people have responded to so much about this movie is that it has an amazing visual style and incredible sound track and editing.  So it doesn’t shy away from making the most of the medium and that’s what I hope is groundbreaking about it.

CS:  When you were getting it all together you were obviously creating a sound track adding, it’a like an exponential sum, and in having to keep the costs down, what did you turn to in order to create this musical bed to carry these characters through the film?

RUSPOLI: Again, since we’re crossing all these worlds we had to use music to reinforce that journey.  The music also crosses from world to world and we have everything from old jazz to blues to like indie rock to hip hop.  Dick Prez did a song just for the movie.  We have I’m a Robot and Simon Dawes and all these incredible musicians.  We have a music supervisor named Bryan Ling who is just phenomenal and a composer named Isaac Sprintis who also just brought a lot of original compositions to the movie.  But, all of it supports that we’re taking a journey through very disparate worlds and the music kind of reflects that.

CS:  Going forward with any new projects that you are doing, did you find that you, being ensconced in this world of sort of a hybrid of a documentary and traditional filmmaking, do you find now that you are inspired by different things or are you now “OK, let me get back to what I really feel comfortable with” and that’s documentary filmmaking?

RUSPOLI: No, I’m moving straight up into narrative.  I’m working on a documentary now called Being in the World which was just submitted to Sundance, so I did go back to documentaries but I’m really excited to do another narrative.  I found the experience so gratifying working with actors.  I hadn’t done that before and it felt natural to me and really fulfilling.  I’ve been reading a lot of scripts now and I actually would like to do a film ““ if not in a documentary style, – do something very cinematic.  I would love to do something that has more time and with a bigger budget and do something more deliberate and more traditional and cinematic.  Hopefully that will come soon.

tao3CS:  Well, sir, I have one more question and that would be, just looking at the path this has taken, it wasn’t done just six months ago, it was a long road for this film.  You mentioned the process was very fulfilling, the length, the ups and the downs, what did you take away from making this film?

RUSPOLI: Again, I learned that the old world of distribution and finishing your film and hoping that someone just buys it and takes it off your hands ““ that’s over.  On one hand, that makes our job harder as filmmakers but on the other hand it keeps the control in our hands which is great.  You have a double edged sword on one hand.  A lot of the indie film structures are dying off and on the other hand through the internet and through these new modes of distribution you can have direct access to your audience and you need to do it.

You need to carry the film like your child and nuture it and see it grow and be involved in the whole process being online and the social networks and go to your own fan base.  I think that’s daunting at first but then it’s great because you have this direct link to the people who like your work and they can be all over the world. And now, for example, we have this initial theatrical run in New York and if it does well it will spread to other cities.

We have a DVD distributor putting it out in February.  It’s exciting and meanwhile while this is happening we have been able to do other projects.  Olivia keeps working on House, I’ve done this other documentary, Being in the World, so it hasn’t just been waiting around.  I’ve traveled to different festivals all over the world, which is a great way to show your films.

Trailer Park: Olivia Wilde of FIX

Filed under: Interviews,Trailer Park — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 2:06 am

By Christopher Stipp

The Archives, Right Here

I was able to sit down for a couple of years and pump out a book. It’s got little to do with movies. Download and read “Thank You, Goodnight” right HERE for free.

Check out my new column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on TWITTER under the name: Stipp

Olivia Wilde of FIX – Interview

You just don’t bring up that Olivia Wilde was named #1 in Maxim’s Hot 100 list of nice looking ladies.

I don’t know if this speaks to the fact I don’t read Maxim or that the only reason I know who she was, before seeing the wonderment that is FIX, was that she sat in on a press conference for TRON LEGACY at Comic-Con over the summer. So enamored I was to speak to Jeff Bridges that I completely gave Wilde the Heisman as I used my one question to talk to The Dude. I felt bad for doing that, as every geek in the room wanted to talk to Jeff about his role in the new TRON iteration but when I had the chance to talk to Olivia about this film I knew I had to address her presence there over the summer.

I only wish all my interviews went as well as my talk with Olivia as chatting about how a movie that had to be shot on the weekends, being directed by your husband Tao Ruspoli and what that did to the relationship, and what this film means to her overall aims as an actress. Sure, playing a part in next year’s behemoth in-making, TRON LEGACY, won’t hurt but she handles herself with the kind of openness not usually seen from actors of her caliber. Just a delight.

FIX is now playing and will soon be available through Netflix.

tao41CHRISTOPHER STIPP:  Hi, Olivia.

OLIVIA WILDE: How are ya?

CS:  Doing fine.  How are you doing?

WILDE: Pretty good.  Exciting weekend.

CS:  I would imagine.

WILDE: Yeah, we had a great premiere.

CS:  Where was the premiere held?

WILDE: The premiere was at The Tribeca Grand Hotel

CS:  Really?

WILDE: It was really, really fun.

CS:  Which gets to the first question I have is that when I was researching this, this isn’t something that was one 6 months ago.  It seems like this movie ““ I should say it’s been out there for a while ““ but it’s seems like there’s a story why it’s taken so long for it to come out.

WILDE: I think it’s like any true independent film. It’s a bit of a process to get widespread distribution because no sacrifices were made in making the film.  We weren’t trying to be commercial.  We were sticking true to the type of film we wanted to make or I should say, Tao wanted to make.  So when you have a film like that and haven’t made any sacrifices, you have to stick to your guns and keep it small.  And the great thing about film festivals is they really appreciate that.  The true indi, art house, honest film.  So we went around the world, went to 35 different festivals and won big awards at about 14 of them and won best actor (tape is blank here Christoph).  For a lot of independent films the last step is finally getting distribution and the great thing about film festivals is that they do provide a home for independent films and for people to see them and we were such a smash hit at these festivals, starting at Slamdance in 2008, it garnered a lot of attention and now we have theatrical distribution in New York on November 20th at the Village East for one week and if that goes well, they’ll go live.  So it’s really exciting.

CS:  I would imagine.  Like you said, it is quite a process now to get these independent films out there to compete with the bigger dogs.

WILDE: Yes.  But, I think people like them.  In a film world awash with G.I. Joe it’s refreshing to see a film that is very unique and very honest and really a labor of love.

CS:  And it feels like that.  One of the questions I was going to ask Tao but I will ask you too, is that he’s primarily known for making documentary films.  This actually seems like a departure of what he’s really known for.  What did you see in this script?  What did he see in this story, and I don’t know how true ““ it says based on real life events, what did he take from that and what did he run with?

WILDE: I think he has documentarian sensibilities which means I think he’s interested in finding the true experience ““ really capturing all the messiness of real life and I think that’s the spontaneity and immediacy that you feel with a documentary, you really feel that with Fix.  As an actor, it changed the process a lot and made it much more of an involved shooting process – meaning that you had to be on at all times.  You never knew when the camera was going to swing around and capture you.  And so it was a lot of fun.  It was more of a teamwork, family, project than anything I’ve ever done and I’ve witnessed it from it’s inception to the premiere.  I really now learned what goes into making a film, which is just extraordinary.

I think Tao, as a documentary filmmaker, is able to really appreciate what we can capture by allowing the camera to linger and what kind of idiosyncrasies and little messy real life moments make a story interesting.  The film ended up being about 25% improvised and I think it’s only possible to have that much freedom if you are shooting in the documentary style because we don’t have to worry to much about continuity and such because it was a single camera and we weren’t covering one person’s coverage one at a time.  It was more of a fly by the seat of your pants process.  I think that’s why the experience of watching it is so exciting.  People aren’t sure what real, who’s an actor, who’s not.

oliviaFor instance, the scene that happens in Watts is entirely made up of non actors except for the main characters.  I think you have a sense for that.  A sense that you are capturing real life.  I think that’s what makes it all so interesting and unique.

CS:  You are used to being ““ like you said in the summer of G.I. Joes ““ you being on the set of big productions to now having to downshift to this independent world where now a catering truck isn’t there ““

(Laughs)

WILDE: It was great.  All those luxuries are great and they are comforting but you really forget what you want to do and that’s to make a story about something together and it involves everyone’s dedication.  I think the fact that we didn’t have hair and makeup, we didn’t have catering, we didn’t have trailers, everyone was completely present at every time.  When we moved, the actors would help the location scouts move a truck.  All the driving in the film is actually real driving.

The line between real and fake is blurred in this film.  And it’s great to be a part of that.  I didn’t feel like I was downshifting.  I was shifting into high gear working harder than I’ve ever worked.  I was invested on an emotional level more than I’d ever been because I am close to the real person it’s based on and the story is something I am intimate with.  So for me it was a challenging experience and so much more personal than anything I’ve ever done.  It was extraordinary to be a part of and something I hope to do again.

CS:  And how was it shooting in Los Angeles proper?  Were you seriously running and gunnng it or were you doing permits and other accruements?

WILDE: We didn’t break any laws but we were definitely grassroots scurrilous style filmmaking.  It was really fun because we were seeing parts of LA that people never see and we were shooting 10 pages a day and really moving fast.  We actually shot mostly in order so it was kind of organic in the way that everything was developing.  I think you can really sense that in the story.  As the character sort of evolves, the filmmaking changes as well because since we were shooting on the weekend we were forced to shoot around my house schedule.  Each weekend we’d have edited the scene from the weekend before so we really had a sense of what we needed.  Everything became sharper by the end and I think that worked.  But that’s only because we were able to shoot in order.

It was really a fascinating to be shooting a scene where I’m driving the 1960 Impala around LA and would actually stop at a fruit stand downtown, buy fruit, work that into the scene, and go to the next location.  Completely organic.  And lots of moments in the film when I watched it for the first time, I was like, oh my god, Tao, I didn’t know you were filming that.  It was kind of amazing that that was all captured and then left it in, which is a testament as well to our amazing editor.  A guy named Paul Forte, who was able to take all this experimentation and weave it together and create a film that feels so natural but you would never know how much work went into it.

Sky 360 by DeltaCS:  That’s a curious thing you bring up to.  You obviously shot a metric ton worth of footage, when you got into the editing room, did Tao, did they see what movie they ended up with and were they surprised at what they eventually came up with?

WILDE: Tao can actually answer that better than I can.  The editing room was actually the bottom floor of our loft so I witnessed a lot of that process.  I think they were amazed at how much was coming out of the shooting process.  The improvisation was adding life to certain scenes where we weren’t sure.  There were scenes that completely exploded hilariously.  One of my favorite scenes is when we go steal the espresso machine.  I love that scene.  It was such a simple scene When they wrote it it was a small tight little scene, maybe a page long and it turned into this fun and surprising moment and I think every actor there just ran with it and it had an energy that no one really expected.  So, surprise moments like that in the editing room were adding flavor and color to the film and they were just getting more and more excited as it went along.  It was such a different process.

Not only did we not have trailers, we all traveled in one funky RV and followed the production car from location to location and the editor would sit in the back with his laptop and download the footage or capture the footage as we shot it.  It was really happening as we were shooting it.  It was amazing to see how far the film had come after we were done shooting it.  So experimental and unique.  People will have a sense of that when they watch it.  A sense of discovery.  I think it would be hard to re-create with a bigger budget or much slower production.

CS:  And one thing about the film, it’s compressed timeline.  Like 16 Candles.  All happens with a tight timeline.  Was that difficult balancing continuity?

WILDE: Yes.  Because whenever you have a film where everything happens in one day you have to think about things like daylight.  The good thing about LA is that the weather never changes so you can sort of lie.  But I think it’s impossible to match completely but I think we came pretty damn close.  We had amazing producers who sat there figuring it all out and timelining it and it was impossible to do but we did a really good job.  I think it’s kind of a real visceral experience of LA that a lot of people have never had.  Dragging from one location to the next and it’s completely how it feels spending the day with Tao’s brother in real life.  You feel you’ve been on this oddesy and you have to real relinquish all control and just learn and I think that’s what the audience has to do while watching Fix and definitely what my character has to do and I feel that she sort of becomes the eyes of the audience.  She represents the journey emotionally the audience goes on, initially skeptical and eventually game.  So it all feels in the end a really fun experience.

olivia2CS:  And speaking of experience, I have to at least ask the question because I was there in July when you were there at Comi-Con.

WILDE: Were you really?  Great.

CS:  I was in that room for the press conference and intrinsically I felt bad because no one was asking you or Garrett anything?

WILDE: I think it was appropriate this year, but next year it’s going to be a different experience.

CS:  How as that?  I’m always curious to know what’s it like to be besieged by screaming geeks and nerds and that experience of what these people love about this movie?

WILDE: I think it’s really an honor at a place like Comi-Con.  They are really discerning fans and I think they feel a certain ownership of a film like  Tron, it’s a part of their lives and feel they know it well and they are sensitive to the recreation of the Tron world and are interested in knowing if it will maintain the integrity that the original had.  It was really fun to reassure them that it indeed would and be able to show them just a tiny bit of evidence of that.

CS:  It was a shred”¦it was just enough.

WILDE: Yes, just enough.  I think it’s good to keep them wanting more and I think next year I think San Diego might explode.  It will be a lot of fun.

(Laughs)

CS:  If I had one more question for you it would be based on your experience in doing this.  Your resume is so impressive.  You have been so accessible.  A movie like this and doing an independent film had to at least put you in check in terms of realizing there is still lots to learn.

WILDE: Yes.  I think it’s important to do that throughout the rest of my career.  I look up to actors who go back to their roots and continue to do small independent small budget films.  Someone like (Parka Pozie?)who is constantly doing small independent experimental films and it’s often where she really gets to shine.  She takes more risks and someone like Catherine Keener is the same.  Kate Blanchett I look up to too, she appeared in Lord of the Rings, and then a Jim Jarnosh film.  So I really look up to that and it does keep you in check.  I certainly learned a lot about the filmmaking process and learned to really respect the independent filmmakers and all that they go through in order to bring their art to the world.  I was certainly humbled by it and can’t wait to do it again.

December 10, 2009

Ken P. D. Snyde-Cast #125: Board To Death

Filed under: Ken P.D. Snydecast — Tags: , , , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 8:27 pm

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Adult Swim’s Dana Snyder and FRED’s Ken Plume set out to have a literate conversation between two pals, but inevitably devolve into a verbal, and funny, free-for-all full of bickering, infighting, and the special kind of male bonding that comes from conflict expressed through the podcast medium.

Actor/comedian/raconteur Dana Snyder, you’re certainly aware, is Aqua Teen Hunger Force’s Master Shake, Squidbillies‘ Granny, Minoriteam’s Dr. Wang, and The Venture Bros.‘ Alchemist. Available for weddings and bar mitzvahs (bat availability pending), you can keep tabs on him via his website, www.eyeofthesnyder.com.

Ken Plume is the editor-in-chief here at FRED. He is a friend of Dana’s, as well as his arch-nemesis.

VISIT THE SNYDECAST EXPERIENCE

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KEN P.D. SNYDECAST #125: Board To Death – Ken & Dana return with a most joyous and wondrous news on the “Dana in a Costume of His Dreams” front, before largely ignoring an anniversary in favor of developing a dangerous new spin on an old game.

[CONTENT WARNING]: This podcast may contain some foul language and horribly off-color jokes. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

DOWNLOAD: (right click to save)
Episode #125 (MP3 format)

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Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

Got something to say? E-mail Dana & Ken at the Snydecast mailbag.

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TV Or Not TV: The Morning After for GLEE

Filed under: TV Or Not TV — Tags: , — admin @ 8:16 pm

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Welcome to another very special episode of TV or Not TV where I’m feeling very GLEE-ful.

That's a wrap.... until the Spring.

Last night the mid-season finale of GLEE aired and I have to admit that the show really impressed me with what it was able to deliver on.  There was tension, there was drama and there was redemption. Oh yeah, there was also a lot of singing and dancing, but those are to be expected.

First and foremost I would like to say that it was nice to see a lot of the more soap opera like story lines coming to a close and I hope that they are able to carry the last nine episodes of the season in a bit more grounded fashion. The drama surrounding Quinn and her baby, the craziness of Will Schuester‘s wife Terri and her baby-faking, the depressing wedding plans of mysophobic Emma, and the ever escalating level of delusional superiority by Cheerios head coach Sue Sylvester all lead to many moments where I was wanting to yell at my television rather than watching it.

Yes I know that a show requires drama to carry itself along week-to-week and the characters need elements to create tension between them, but some of these story lines have in many ways distracted me from the show itself. A great example would be the episode titled BALLAD where we had the “A” story of Rachel developing a crush on Will and the “B” story of Finn being doubtful of his ability to sing a ballad in front of everyone and how to deal with the parents of his pregnant girlfriend. The “A” story kept me engaged and connected to the show because it was entertaining, comical when appropriate while being serious where needed and didn’t at any time take me out of the “moment” of just being a passive participant. The scene where Will sings to Rachel with Emma there was perfect in the way that the entire plan backfires on Will both with Rachel AND Emma. In contrast the “B” story left me extremely uncomfortable since I was first assaulted by a boy singing to the sonogram of an unborn child that, I knew, wasn’t his. Later when Finn sings to Quinn in front of her parents to get the message out that there’s a bun in the oven I was completely detached from the show because of the awkwardness of the scene and the pure unbelievability that anyone could be as much of a buffoon as Quinn was being at that given moment.

Last night’s finale was very well balanced and almost never took me out of the moment. Almost every storyline that has been dangling out there was resolved. Finn knows the truth about Quinn‘s baby, all of Sue‘s past transgressions were brought to light, Will dealt with last week’s fallout with Terri, NEW DIRECTIONS! went to sectionals and things seem to have majorly changed for Emma. In many ways this thirteenth episode of the show seemed to have taken a show that has had it’s head a bit in the clouds and brought it firmly back to Earth for a very stellar episode. The sub-plots that were set in motion in HAIROGRAPHY played out nicely in allowing us to see NEW DIRECTIONS! perform new musical numbers instead of the ones that were planned, which I am sure helped to fill out the two soundtracks that are now available from the show. We were even handed a nice little gift with the panel of judges for sectionals. It was an amusing contrast to have the hopes and dreams of the show choir in the hands of a group made up of quasi-celebrities and a city official, none of which really seemed to care about the job at hand.

My only complaint in last night’s episode was the choreography of the final musical number as Will is treated to the Kelly Clarkson hit My Life Would Suck Without You. Some of it was a little too risque for me to handle, but then again I’m a 38 year-0ld male that isn’t the real demographic here.

I don’t know what new directions NEW DIRECTIONS! will be taking us in the spring of 2010 but I hope this break will give the writers and producers a chance to help level out some of the characters and do something constructive with the feedback they’ve been given. The show truly is one of my guilty pleasures and if they can get it to where there are less moments where I shake my head in disbelief and frustration it may almost be perfect in my mind.

– Will Wilkins’ life would also suck without you.

December 9, 2009

A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & David Mitchell

Filed under: A Bit Of A Chat With Ken Plume,Interviews — Tags: , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 5:32 am

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I’m Ken Plume, and soon you’ll be listening to “A Bit Of A Chat” with me, Ken Plume.

In this episode, I chat with writer, actor, and (I’d wager) the quickest wit in the western world, David Mitchell.

Chances are, to most Americans, the name David Mitchell means very little… unless, of course, they have a friend, relation, or acquaintance by that name. I speak, however, of a brilliant comedian by that sobriquet who currently plies his trade in the sceptred isle of England.

A cursory glance at the offerings on YouTube will bring you up to speed on Mr. Mitchell, as well as his comedy partner Robert Webb – both of which, since their Cambridge Footlights days, have written and starred in Edinburgh Fringe productions, radio (That Mitchell & Webb Sound), a live tour, a trio of sketch shows (Bruiser, The Mitchell & Webb Situation, and That Mitchell & Webb Look), and even a book (That Mitchell & Webb Book). They’re also the stars of the Britcom Peep Show, the feature film Magicians, and were cast as PC (Mitchell) & Mac (Webb) in the British versions of the popular Macintosh ads.

As a solo, Mitchell is quick-witted, erudite guest on such UK panel shows as QI, Have I Got News For You, and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, serves as team captain on Would I Lie To You, and is the host of BBC Radio 4’s The Unbelievable Truth.

I urge anyone smart enough to own a region free DVD player to hunt down everything listed above from your online UK DVD emporium of choice, or at the very least scrounge the internet and YouTube for a splendid sampler.

And, if this intro is evoking a sense of déjà vu, it’s because I’ve used it in the past – for my previous in-depth interviews with David (I believe strongly in recycling). I recently sat down in my very comfy desk chair and rang him for a chat…

Hope you enjoy…

Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & David Mitchell“:

[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/bitofachat/bit_of_a_chat-david_mitchell.mp3]

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SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

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Drop Ken a line HERE.

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You can also find more of my interviews by clicking HERE.

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Contest Round-Up: 2009-12-09

Filed under: Articles — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 4:35 am

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Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at Quick Stop. Every Wednesday, we’ll present a new clutch of DVDs, books, and other cool stuff you can take a shot at winning. All you have to do is click on the graphics below to be taken to their respective contest pages. And good luck!

In conjunction with Warner Bros. Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of each of HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE on both Blu-Ray & DVD.

In conjunction with EMI, we’re giving away one (1) HOLIDAY MUSIC PRIZE PACK containing CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHIPMUNKS, THE BEACH BOYS: CHRISTMAS HARMONIES, NAT KING COLE: THE CHRISTMAS SONG, OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN: CHRISTMAS WISH, & CHRISTMAS CLASSICS BY THE FIRE.

In conjunction with Disney Home Video, we’re giving away one (1) copy of G-FORCE on Blu-Ray/DVD.

Win G-FORCE on Blu-Ray/DVD!

Filed under: Contests — Tags: , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 4:34 am

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In conjunction with Disney Home Video, we’re giving away one (1) copy of G-FORCE on Blu-Ray/DVD.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, December 23rd.

CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Official Rules

No member of Quick Stop Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

No Purchase necessary to win.

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

One entry per day, per person.

All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, December, 23rd.

The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

Win a HOLIDAY MUSIC PRIZE PACK from EMI!

Filed under: Contests — Tags: , , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 3:24 am

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In conjunction with EMI, we’re giving away one (1) HOLIDAY MUSIC PRIZE PACK containing CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHIPMUNKS, THE BEACH BOYS: CHRISTMAS HARMONIES, NAT KING COLE: THE CHRISTMAS SONG, OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN: CHRISTMAS WISH, & CHRISTMAS CLASSICS BY THE FIRE.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, December 23rd.

CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Official Rules

No member of Quick Stop Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

No Purchase necessary to win.

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

One entry per day, per person.

All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, December, 23rd.

The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

Win HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE on DVD & Blu-Ray!

Filed under: Contests — Tags: , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 3:01 am

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In conjunction with Warner Bros. Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of each of HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE on both Blu-Ray & DVD.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, December 23rd.

CLOSED! THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Official Rules

No member of Quick Stop Entertainment or their immediate families may enter.

No Purchase necessary to win.

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

One entry per day, per person.

All submitted entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, December, 23rd.

The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after notification of win to receive the product.

December 8, 2009

TV Or Not TV: 12/7 – 12/13

Filed under: TV Or Not TV — admin @ 6:31 am

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Welcome to another week of TV or Not TV where I just can’t wait until January.

If you are one of the few people that actually watch NBC you know that Chuck is coming back earlier than expected. The show, which was given a new lease on life thanks to avid fans and their feverish purchasing of Subway sandwiches on Monday nights, was originally supposed to return some time in March of next year. It was also originally just given a 13 episode pickup with the possibility of more episodes happening if the show did well in the ratings.

Approximately four weeks ago two interesting bits of news began to trickle down the line. The first bit of exciting news was that the show was getting the go-ahead for an additional six episodes, bringing the total episode count up from 13 to 19. This made fans, and me, very happy. This made the schedule, however, a bit confusing since the extra episodes would take th show well into the summer. What exactly was NBC up to?

About two week’s ago that question was answered when NBC let us know that Chuck would be coming back in January instead of March. This is good news for the fans and it makes me happy, but at the same time trepiditious. I’m thankful the show will be taking over the Monday at 8 time slot for the on life-support Heroes. The fact that Heroes hasn’t faired so well in the time slot itself, and both shows have a similar demographic.

As with any TV show the only real choice out there is to simply embrace hope. People will either watch or they won’t.  I hope they will.

Let’s now turn our attention away from the Intersect and instead look at the viewing options out there for this week.

MONDAY

ABC – 8:00 PM – Once again a stop motion Fred Astaire tells us the origin of Ol’ Saint Nick (voiced by Mickey Rooney) in Santa Clause is Coming to Town. Our kids may have no idea who the narrators are but they’ll still love it if they’re 10 or under.

FOX – 8:00 PM – OK, want something a little more modern for your holiday? Try out Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special and hope it is better than some of the more recent celebrity fodder put out.

TNT – 10:00 PM – Not sure if Ray Romano, Scott Bakula or Andre Braugher can make mid-life seem interesting in Men of a Certain Age so we’ll just all have to watch together and see.

TUESDAY

ABC – 8:00 PM – ABC keeps comes out swinging for the family demographic with A Charlie Brown Christmas followed immediately by the Disney Studio original 3D animated special Prep & Landing.

NBC – 8:00 PM – I have a love/hate relationship with The Biggest Loser since the accomplishments of these people can be both inspiring and capable of making me feel like I can do more both at the same time.

ABC – 9:30 PM – I have to admit that I was pretty hard in the beginning of Better of Ted but given some of the other sitcoms out there this one is good quirky fun. Oh yeah, it’s season premiere is tonight. 

WEDNESDAY

FOX – 9:00 PM – It’s the new winter finale for Glee tonight and if you had good money on the fact that Quinn’s little secret about who her baby daddy really is comes to light tonight I’d say you had a winner.

ABC – 10:00 PM – Once again those with the best publicists, holiday movies or albums coming out get catered to in Barbar Walters Presents: The 10 Most FAscinating People of 2009.

ABC FAMILY – 10:30 PM – I don’t know how you get from a classic poem about a visit from Santa Claus to a story where a mouse  writes a letter that ticks the big man off to make him boycott the town? If this description boggles the mind than you’ll just have to watch ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas yourself to see if you can figure it out.

THURSDAY

FOX – 8:00 PM – I don’t know what the team over at Bones has against Santa but once again another gruesome holiday catastrophy overcomes one of the jolly men in read. Very special guest casting happens with a visit by Zooey Deschanel, Brennan’s real life alter-ego’s sister.

NBC – 8:00 PM – OK, the entire night of NBC’s lineup is always a solid recommendation for me but tonight on Community we get to meet a campus bully played by none other than Anthony Michael Hall. I hope this guest spot leads to his being cast on a certain CBS sitcom so I can make some kind of joke about NPH vs. AMH. Oh to dream.

FOX – 9:00 PM - Winter finale time for Fringe as well and we get to tap into Walter’s brain as well as see Leonard Nimoy one more time as William Bell. 

FRIDAY

FOX – 8:00 PM – What more do you need for me to say other than another two hours of Dollhouse tonight? I know, right?

CBS – 8:00 PM – Speaking of NPH, he lends his voice talents to the animated Yes, Virginia. This 3D holiday special fictionalizes the real life story of a little girl’s letter to the New York Sun in 1897.  Based on that description I just bet you can’t wait to see it (will it help if I tell you it was animated by the same group that animated the Tim Burton Produced 9?)

MTV – 10:00 PM – I have no idea who green lit this one but in Bam Margera Present: Where the #$&% is Santa? Bam gathers up a crew and heads to the Arctic Circle to try to find the man in the red suit.

SATURDAY

NBC – 8:00 PM – I’d have to be an idiot to admit that every time the ending of It’s A Wonderful Life  happens I become a blubbering mess. Oh wait…

SPIKE – 8:00 PM - Hey, you’ve already lost countless hours to playing video games, what’s two more hours paying tribute to them in Spike TV’s Video Game Awards 2009? 

TLC – 9:00 PM – OK, you know that reality TV has hit the wall when you get something like Ghost Intervention. No, Casper doesn’t have a drinking problem, mediums show up to help troubled ghosts we can’t really see. I’d probably recommend just watching The Frighteners instead.

SUNDAY

ABC FAMILY – 8:00 PM – Well, Dad wants to hand over the family business to his daughter Jenny McCarthy in Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe.

SHOWTIME – 9:00 PM – Dexter has to go toe to toe with the Trinity Killer in tonight’s season finale. One look at the show’s title may tell you who wins.

ABC – 10:00 PM I guess we now know the true cost of a celebrity endorsement during your Presidential campaign: Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special. 

 – Will Wilkins even took their last can of Who-hash.

December 7, 2009

SModcast 99

Filed under: SModcast — Tags: , , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 12:50 am

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Your TextSModcast is the meandering palaver of a pair of dudes whose voices are so dull, they don’t deserve to be on the radio (and, hence, aren’t). Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier are SModcast.The best thing about SModcast? It don’t cost nothing.

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SModcast 99: The Great One –

No, not Him. Her.

[CONTENT WARNING] SModcast features harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Listener discretion is advised.

DOWNLOAD:

SModcast 99 (MP3 format)

[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/s3.amazonaws.com/smodcast/SModcast-99.mp3]

SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

Subscribe to this Podcast via FeedBurner

Wanna add your two cents? Spend it here, in the SModcast mailbag.

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CLICK HERE FOR THE SMODCAST ARCHIVES

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December 4, 2009

Masters Of Song Fu #5: Round 3 Challenge Revealed!

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We here at Quick Stop Entertainment are true lovers of music, in all its forms. We’re also quite keen on the spirit of competition, and of spurring creativity through said competition.

To that end, we launched a unique form of creative combat here at the Stop.

In this age of manufactured and painfully earnest talent contests, we’ve decided to instead shine a light on the quirky, quixotic underworld of musicians that don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.

Ah, but I did mention that there was a competition involved…

Like a songwriting version of Iron Chef, the competitors will be presented with a very specific songwriting challenge. They’ll be given one week to complete their songs – however they see fit, within the parameters set forth – after which time the entries will be uploaded to Quick Stop to be voted on by you, the audience.

Oh, and what do we call this competition?

MASTERS OF SONG FU

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Let us not forget the very special Masters of MASTERS OF SONG FU. Think of them as the iron chefs of Song Fu – one of which will be revealed as your ultimate challenger in THE FINAL CHALLENGE. Past Masters have included Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm, Neil Innes, The RiffTones, and Garfunkel & Oates. Any one of them could be your final Challenge – or perhaps it could be a brand new Master. Only the Challenger who garners the most cumulative votes in all of the Challenges will move on to the Final and face that Master, mano a mano.

So what was the first Challenge?

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ROUND 1 CHALLENGE

This is a bit of a fun one. Your first task is based upon the work of Friend-of-the-Stop John Hodgman – specifically, the “700 MOLE MEN” listed in his second book, More Information Than You Require. You’ll find the full list of “700 Mole Men” – and their descriptions – HERE. Your task is to choose one (1) and write a song about that Mole Man, based on the description provided by Hodgman. The title of your song will be the name of the Mole Man you’ve chosen, and its corresponding number on the list. You are free to write your song in any style that you choose.

That’s it. The only other directive is that your song must run no shorter than 1 minute.

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You’ll find the Round 1 songs from each of our Challengers below, as well as the results of the Round 1 voting (As some competitors did not make their Round 2 submission in time, you’ll find those missing songs in the ROUND 1 ZIP FILE, which you can download below).

So what was the 2nd Challenge?

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ROUND 2 CHALLENGE

Write a song about a number.

That’s right – a song about a number. It can be any number, and it can be describing or representing anything. The number you choose will be the title of your song. The song can be in any style you’d like. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute.

If you want some inspiration, here’s a number song from Harry Nilsson
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/harry_nilsson-one.mp3]

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You’ll find the Round 2 songs from each of our Challengers below, as well as the STILL ONGOING Round 2 voting (it ends on December 6th, so be sure to vote!). More importantly, though, you’ll also discover what the Round 3 Challenge is!

THE CHALLENGERS

JASON MORRIS

songfu-jasonmorris.jpgI suppose I am what you could call a “Multi-Instrumentalist”. That is a nice way of saying “Jack-of-all-trades, Master-of-none”. I began playing drums as a teenager and spent a great deal of energy during my 20’s trying to “make it” in the music biz. As a drummer, I have had the opportunity to play with some pretty incredible musicians, garnering literally DOZENS of fans over the years. In 2004 I joined the band Celestial Static, and spent several years melting some face with good friends Jeremy and Julie Elzerman. Once that ran its course, I decided to spend more time locked away in my studio, writing my own songs and learning to play guitar, bass and sing. It doesn’t pay the bills, but I have a good time doing it.

Official Website: www.jason-morris.net
Twitter: twitter.com/JasonLMorris

ROUND 1 SONG:#019 Thomas Ashley Innersun
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jason_morris-019-thomas_ashley_innersun.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Natural 18
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/jason_morris-natural_18.mp3]

EDRIC HALEEN

songfu-edrichaleen.jpgEdric is a returning veteran of the Masters of Song Fu competition. He has been writing music (off and on) since the early nineties. He wrote and directed a musical, The Pushcart War, based on Jean Merrill’s wonderful novel. He has written and/or arranged a number of songs for various friends – some commissioned, some as surprises. He loves acting in community theatre, and is inspired by the music of Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Also – feel free to check out (and add to!) the “Happiness Board” on his web pages!

Official Website: happinessboard.com/Edric_Haleen.html

ROUND 1 SONG:#138 Sir Isaac Quickmud
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/edric_haleen-138-sir_isaac_quickmud.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Zero Point Nine (Ad Infinitum)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/edric_haleen-zero_point_nine.mp3]

“BUCKETHAT” BOBBY MATHESON

songfu-buckethatbobby.jpgI’m “BucketHat” Bobby Matheson. I used to make cartoons for the internet, and sometimes still do, but mostly focus on my music right now. I write and record my songs solo, in my little make-shift studio, and when I play live, I often get some help from friends. Some of my music is funny, and some isn’t. More often than not, the humour is unintentional. My Influences range from Klezmer to folk, to punk and back again, which ends up sounding more like Zydeco than anything else (who’d have guessed?). I’ve been described as a “Cajun Buddy Holly” and an “Optimistic Elvis Costello”. It’s been said that I sound like “That guy from the Barenaked Ladies” and a “Nasaly Bob Dylan”. One of these days, I hope to have a description that is accurate.

Official Website: www.buckethatbobby.randomsociety.com
Twitter: twitter.com/BucketHatBobby

ROUND 1 SONG:#139 Mr. Genuine Hissfurther
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/buckethat_bobby_matheson-139-mr_genuine_hissfurther.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:300
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/buckethat_bobby_matheson-300.mp3]

GODZ POODLZ

Legends foretell of a mighty duo, born in the frozen North. Two neighbors and friends will unite to form “Godz Poodlz” and battle the Mazters or Song Fu for glory and bragging rights! Godz Poodlz are Rüss Rogers and Rod Durre. Russ Rogers was once a member of “Kit and Kaboodle” (still available on iTunes) and currently performs in “Rusty’s Rocking Jamboree!” Rhod Durre was in the Goth Rock Band, “Sear!” Beware the Godz Poodlz Ear Worm! Godz Poodlz songs are bright, funny and tenaciously catchy. Come join Godz Poodlz Legionz of Fanz!

Official Website: www.myspace.com/godzpoodlz

ROUND 1 SONG:#381 Captain Dane Frostline
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/godz_poodlz-381-captain_dane_frostline.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:3455316008
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/godz_poodlz-3455316008.mp3]

BRAM TANT

songfu-bramtant.pngBram Tant is a Belgian coputer science student with a distinct love for music. Ever since going to music school as a kid, he’s enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, and has been writing songs for some years now. While he’s still learning to play the guitar, sing and write songs better, he improves with each attempt, and he makes up for it (and the lack of proper recording equipment) with his passion and enthusiasm. He would like to become a professional musician someday, but for now he’s satisfied with writing and performing for friends, family, and strangers on the internet.

Official Website: studwww.ugent.be/~btant/

Twitter: twitter.com/dantesxx

ROUND 1 SONG:#666 Tommy Dickfish
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/bram_tant-666-tommy_dickfish.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Five
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/bram_tant-five.mp3]

MANTICESS

Manitcess are Susanne Wolff (Lupa) on vocals and Johannes Schult (Jutze) on guitar. The duo plays melodic song somewhere between pop, folk and rock. Melodies are more important than trends. The band has already played various gigs in Germany and Switzerland and is eager to entertain – or better to enchant their audience with their musical tales.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/manticess
Twitter: twitter.com/schult

ROUND 1 SONG:#423 Red
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/manticess-423-red.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:1998
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/manticess-1998.mp3]

JALAPENO HABANEROS

In the far off land of Chandler, Arizona, where the rivers flow with sand and cacti, our leader and master, the Lord of Our Lady Gwynyth, guitar and microphone in hand, called for the greatest musicians in the land to assemble a rock and roll group like none other. Unfortunately, they were cut off on the road, and the Jalapeño Habañeros made it there first. With The Rogue Bohemian on saxophone and The Boxcar Bassist on bass and keyboards, the Lord was pleased. Now, they roam the streets of Chandler, playing epic songs and rocking faces, much like Bon Jovi. Unfortunately they are paid in change, and often get thrown into the street, also like Bon Jovi. Their lives have intertwined, and the era of the Jalapeño Habañeros has begun. Be prepared.

Official Website: jalapenojabaneros.blogspot.com

ROUND 1 SONG:#604 Suction-Cupped Jonny
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jalapeno_habaneros-604-suction-cupped_jonny.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Pi
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/jalapeno_habaneros-pi.mp3]

TIMOTHY RUSH

Hi, my name is Timothy. I like me. I like my school, I like my friends. I like to play the music. I very much enjoy the peoples. Thank you.
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Official Website: www.myspace.com/tweed234
Twitter: twitter.com/TimmyVendetta

ROUND 1 SONG:#006 Sir Stinson Maggotwrangle
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/timothy_rush-006-sir_stinson_maggotwrangle.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Me & 23
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/timothy_rush-me_and_23.mp3]

JUBILEE JEWS

They are not some traveling country hillbilly act. They are celebrating the year of Jubilee in the form of ukulele based indie pop. They are Akiva Misto and Eliana Bartimeus and they are prepared to rock your yarmulkes!

Official Website: NONE

ROUND 1 SONG:#487 Lady Antonia Oddpolyps
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jubilee_jews-487-lady_antonia_oddpolyps.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:i: The Square Root Of -1 (The Imaginary Number)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/jubilee_jews-the_square_root_of_-1.mp3]

PETER BENEDICT

Peter is a person of sorts. Since his birth he has consistently occupied himself with a variety of time consuming and completely un-noteworthy activities. Despite this breadth of experience he remains untalented in the ways of writing all encompassing 600 word essays. He does, however, greatly enjoy the rare treat that is writing about oneself in the third person, especially when such a gift should be presented to him at the wonderful time of 4AM. Peter now supposes that since this a musical competition he is entering, he might want to include something about that in his bio. At the way too old age of 18, Peter first attempted to play music. His guitar teacher warned him that he was much to old to begin training, and that he would probably be an emotionally unstable musician that would eventually turn to the dark side. Peter took no heed to this warning, and indeed dropped out of guitar lessons fairly quickly, realizing that he enjoyed learning much more when done alone. In the year and a half since then, Peter has been on a steady rise and will no doubt be taking the musical world by storm in the coming year. Perhaps his greatest musical moment came in December of 2008, when his Christmas caroling band, The Sizzle, took his small hick town by storm with a door to door tour through the suburbs, melting the figurative face of listeners with a funk/rap cover of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. In 2009 Peter has become active in the youtube community, known not for his music but for his notorious use of stop-motion eating scenes and a DIY laugh track. Hoping to hone his barely existing musical skills through the pressure of competition, Peter joins Round 5 of Song Fu. He sincerely hopes that rewriting this bio at a later date will be an option. The Peter Is Competing.

Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/thepeteris
Twitter: twitter.com/thepeteris

ROUND 1 SONG:#315 Mr. Dennimore Evercrouch
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/peter_benedict-315-mr_dennimore_evercrouch.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:0
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/peter_benedict-0.mp3]

JOSH HOLOBER-WARD

Josh was born in Canada, which probably explains more about him than anything else he could put in a bio. He plays the accordion, is self-taught on the piano, and highly enjoys playing and writing for both – though he rarely finishes anything without a deadline. With this grueling contest, he hopes to push himself to unleash the best Fu he possibly can… and hell, maybe even some he impossibly can. YARRR!

Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/PossessedRaccoon

ROUND 1 SONG:#422 Mokey
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/josh_holober-ward-422-mokey.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Five
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/josh_holober-ward-five.mp3]

AARON Z

Many folks say that Aaron Z is a pretty cool guy. He plays too many instruments, but mostly piano & guitar. He wastes too much of his free time writing and performing music, which has been known to make people laugh, tough men cry, and ladies melt in his arms. His current projects include Orange Box: The Musical! and A Tribute to the Letter E. He likes food cooked with mushrooms and his favorite ice-creams are vanilla-based, not chocolate-based. Check out his music, including his previously-weekly but now faux-weekly music project on his website, plus his other cool music.

Official Website: aaronz.bandcamp.com

ROUND 1 SONG:#590 Harvey Rupert Elder
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/aaron_z-590-harvey_rupert_elder.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Five
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/aaron_z-five.mp3]

JOE “COVENANT” LAMB

I’m Joe Covenant. I’m Scottish. And never have enough time to do everything I wanna! Been singing and perfoming for over 40 years… (yes, I am 46.)… and I’ve nearly learned a 6th chord! Everything I do. I do for Song Fu. (If not for this ‘contest’ I would have never met and collaborated with so many talented people.)

Official Website: joecovenant.bandcamp.com
Twitter: twitter.com/JoeCovenant

ROUND 1 SONG:#297 Mr. Tom Furby
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/joe_covenant_lamb-297-mr_tom_furby.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:2
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/joe_covenant_lamb-2.mp3]

LEX VADER

Lex Vader was born to a single mother who worked as silicon tycoon’s personal assistant. When she died of poor hygiene, Lex was sent to an orphanage where he showed interest in organizing races and laser fencing. After being recruited into a religious order, he spent the next few years between several of their private schools. In his final year, Lex lost his hand in an argument with a professor over Kryptochlorians. Despite this, Lex was able to achieve a successful business career and even a knighthood. Tragedy struck, however, when a former classmate’s arctic home caught fire during a business lunch, scarring half of Lex’s face. At this point, Lex’s behavior became erratic. When he managed to buy SithCo, the cult that schooled him, he was shunned by the corporate world. No longer taken seriously, Lex started an evil empire and now moonlights with his evil emotronic alternapop band.

Official Website: lexvaderssecretjournal.wordpress.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LexVader

ROUND 1 SONG:#153 Permanent Unsex
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/lex_vader-153-permanent_unsex.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Six (I Am Not A Number)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/lex_vader-six_i_am_not_a_number.mp3]

CALEB HINES

Caleb became a software engineer instead of a musician because the type of music he likes best went out of style at the end of the 18th century. Self-taught in music theory, he is more comfortable writing a four-part instrumental fugue than he is writing a verse-chorus-bridge song. After discovering the likes of Weird Al, Dr. Horrible, and especially Jonathan Coulton, he realized that “modern music” can be fun too. Now he is on a quest to update, expand, and diversify his musical knowledge and experience. In addition to singing, he plays a whole family of recorders, baroque flute, ukulele, melodica, pretends to play keyboard, and most recently, guitar. He also uses virtual MIDI instruments because a real orchestra costs too much.

Official Website: refactoringmybrain.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/calebhines

ROUND 1 SONG:#490 Mr. Nehemiah Bloodwormer
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/caleb_hines-490-mr_nehemiah_bloodwormer.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Flight 93 – Memorial to Courage
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/caleb_hines-flight_93_memorial_to_courage.mp3]

ZER0GUY

Sometimes two people get together who are destined to make history. Sometimes they are born into the same family. zer0guy is the musical/life-partnership of Jon and Dan Kelly, long time musicians looking forward to placing notes in your head.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/zer0guyband

ROUND 1 SONG:#237 Dirtbag Dan
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/zer0guy-237-dirtbag_dan.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:203012
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/zer0guy-203012.mp3]

JONATHAN MANN

My current project is writing A Song a Day (Rock Cookie Bottom), and my former projects include The Last Nympho Leprechaun, a rock opera, The Mario Opera, a rock opera, GameJew, a web show, and The Mushroom Singdom, singing old school video game reviews.

Official Website: www.rockcookiebottom.com

ROUND 1 SONG:#612 Mr. Barry Screwskull
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jonathan_mann-612-mr_barry_screwskull.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:The Number Nine!
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/jonathan_mann-the_number_nine.mp3]

SARA PARSONS

Sara Parsons is a twenty-year-old music composition student from northern California. She participated in Masters of Song Fu #4 and had a blast and met a ton of great people. She hopes she’s better at writing songs than she is at writing her own biography.

Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/sargeantketchup

ROUND 1 SONG:#573 Miss Miriam Poisonblisters
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/sara_parsons-573-miss_miriam_poisonblisters.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:7.5
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/sara_parsons-7_point_5.mp3]

CHAS LILLY

Chas Lilly is a man that needs introduction. He is geeky but hopefully without being boring. He has been known to write songs about Pluto, Tim Allen, funerals, and everything in between. People often describe his music as “music”.

Official Website: www.youtube.com/friendswobenefits
Twitter: twitter.com/foldsaholic

ROUND 1 SONG:#567 Mr. Angelo Openjaw
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/chas_lilly-567-mr_angelo_openjaw.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:10 (Things That Made This The Worst Date Ever)
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/chas_lilly-10_things_that_made_this_the_worst_date_ever.mp3]

KYLIE PETTO

My name is Kylie, and I’m your everyday 17-year-old girl with a passion for music. I’ve been writing my own songs since I was ten years old, and nothing is more fun for me than to sit down with my guitar and unwind. I’d like to use Masters of Song Fu to really challenge myself, and hopefully grow as a musical artist.

Official Website: NONE
Twitter: twitter.com/KyliePetto

ROUND 1 SONG:#141 Devil Anse Doubledirt
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/kylie_petto-141-devil-anse-doubledirt.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:8
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/kylie_petto-8.mp3]

ALEX TAYLOR

I am a young musician who plays trombone, guitar, ukulele, piano, melodica, and a little bit of harmonica. I play everything from rock songs with distortion pedals on ukulele, to rap medleys on piano, to sappy love songs and songs about the internet crashing on guitar. This is my first time in Song Fu.

Official Website: NONE

ROUND 1 SONG:#604 Suction-Cupped Jonny
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/alex_taylor-604-suction-cupped_jonny.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:i
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/alex_taylor-i.mp3]

GIFTED GEAR

I’m just a kid with a guitar. Sometimes I even play it.

Official Website: NONE

ROUND 1 SONG:#580 Old Man Hades
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/gifted_gear-580-old_man_hades.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Eight
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/gifted_gear-eight.mp3]

SIMMBIOSIS

Simmbiosis – three part band. Defies the usual type or brand. A combo bred, in this strange head. The obscene voice the unseen hand. Terpsichore and muse imbued. Perverse perhaps a little rude. Music composed, a life exposed. Giving you all I can exude. Studio C where I compose. Club Bed where I take my repose. Iniquity, safe haven for me. The rest you’ll just have to suppose. To be among this crowd, auspicious. An honor bordering on delicious. Thanks to View Askew, I’ll whip out my Song Fu. And work not to be repetitious, repetitious, repetitious.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/simmbiosis

ROUND 1 SONG:#646 Hydrostatic Charlie
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/simmbiosis-646-hydrostatic_charlie.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG:Sevenly – The Magnificent Seven
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/simmbiosis-sevenly_the_magnificent_seven.mp3]

DENISE HUDSON

Denise Hudson is doing Song Fu again because last time the contest gave her a rush that she’d never had before. She is thinking this contest will help her further her career in the frightening world, the scary internet (ack!), and in Austin – a city in which there are many Live Music Capitalists of the World. She’s hoping to avoid mixdown mixups, to master her mastering, and hopefully… not become a twittasaurus rex. She’d like to thank her friends – local, national, international, intergalactic, and those from the beyond. Peace, Love, and Grapenuts.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/denisehudson

ROUND 2 SONG:Four 5ths
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song2/denise_hudson-four_5ths.mp3]

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To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 2 songs, CLICK HERE.

To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 1 songs, CLICK HERE.

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ROUND 3 CHALLENGE

Write a winter holiday song that is not about the holidays.

Your song can reference the holidays, but must not be explicitly about them. However, it should incorporate instruments and/or a style that evokes the holidays. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 30 seconds.

Your song must be submitted in mp3 form (128-192kbps) either via e-mail (to songfu @ asitecalledfred.com – remember to remove the spaces) or a file upload service (like RapidShare or YouSendIt). Deadline for submission is 11:59pm EST on Sunday, December 13th, 2009.

Voting on Round 3 submissions will commence on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009.

If you want some inspiration, here’s a song from Jona Lewie, “Stop The Cavalry”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/jona_lewie-stop_the-cavalry.mp3]

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ROUND 2 VOTING

And now, it’s time for the voting. For this round, you can choose your TOP 5 FAVORITE Challenger songs. Be sure to choose carefully. VOTING CLOSES AT 11:59pm EST on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6th. If you are having trouble voting, CLEAR YOUR BROWSER’S CACHE and try again. PLEASE NOTE: This voting system bases voting eligibility on your IP Address. If there are other computers on a home or business network that share the same IP address through a router, it may say you’ve already voted. Unfortunately, there is no way around this, and still be able to prevent ballot stuffing. It’s just the nature of the online voting beast.

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ROUND 2 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS

[poll id=”22″]

View Results

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ROUND 1 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS RESULTS

[poll id=”21″]

View Results

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If you triumph, not only will you win remarkable (and potentially off-putting) bragging rights and a clutch of fantastic mystery prizes, you will also become the proud owner of the magnificent, one-of-a-kind MASTER OF SONG FU TROPHY.

Good luck, and bring on the Fu.

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[ad#contestbox]

Weekend Shopping Guide 12/4/09: Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

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The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Quick Stop Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

(Please support Quick Stop by using the links below to make any impulse purchases – it helps to keep us going…)

Not as noir-riffic as their take on Batman, Bruce Timm & Paul Dini still delivered a definitive version of the Man of Steel that trumps all but the original Donner film – and it can all be yours with Superman: The Complete Animated Series (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$53.98 SRP). Bonus features include audio commentaries and featurettes, plus an exclusive disc with an all-new retrospective. My one gripe? Warners cheaped out and used the abysmal double-sided discs on 3 of the 7 contained within. Haven’t you realized that they’re an abomination, Warners? Please. Stop using them.

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If last year’s 20th anniversary set featuring the collectible Crow T. Robot figurine was anything to go by, I’d recommend snatching your copy of the limited edition Mystery Science Theater 3000: XVI (Shout! Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$64.99 SRP), sporting a snazzy Tom Servo figurine, before they’re long gone – which will probably be pretty darn fast. The set itself contains the episodes The Corpse Vanishes, Warrior Of The Lost World, Santa Claus, and Night Of The Blood Beast. Bonus features include Turkey Day ’95 intros, a retrospective on Santa Claus, an interview with Warrior director David Worth, and trailers.

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It’s quite rare to encounter a new sitcom that I not only like, but swiftly fall in love with. Well, I can now add Better Off Ted (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP) to that exclusive list. Imagine if you combined the sensibilities of both Newsradio and Arrested Development and set it in the headquarters of an oppressively omnipresent megacorporation – and there you go. Hell, it’s even a little bit Brazil. Just get the first season, and devour all 13 episodes.

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Get the bad taste of the US remake out of your mouth by re-watching the second (and final) season of the original UK Life On Mars (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$59.99 SRP), which still holds up as one of the televisiual highlights of the last few years. The 4-disc set features all 8 episodes, plus behind-the-scenes footage, a documentary, and a featurette on the show’s finale.

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I got exactly what I expected from Four Christmases (New Line, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.98 SRP) – a largely by-the-numbers, inoffensive, lightly enjoyable holiday romp starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon as a couple whose cancelled getaway flight leaves them having to attend the quartet of Chrismtases thrown by their divorced parents. Mild hilarity ensues! A Blu-Ray edition ($35.99 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus materials.

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Lionsgate has just dropped a boatload of their catalogue titles into the high definition arena, with one big highlight for me. There was a time when it seemed Monster Squad (Lionsgate, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP) would never even make it to DVD, and here it is in snazzy Blu-Ray with a full port of all of the DVDs special features, including audio commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, and more. Also making their Blu-Ray debut are Mel Gibson & Robert Downey, Jr. in Air America, Stephen King’s Cujo, the still-awkward Angel Heart, the cult favorite Near Dark, and the original My Bloody Valentine (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP each).

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No, I will not say it’s a good film, but there’s a lot of goofy fun to be found – at least my young nephew did – during Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian (Fox, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), which brings Ben Stiller back as night watchman Larry Daley, as the magical exhibits that came to life during the original film get transferred to the massive archives of the Smithsonian… And wouldn’t you know it? More hijinks! Bonus features include audio commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes, a gag reel, and a DVD copy of the film.

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A truly groundbreaking comic performer and television innovator that should be required viewing for anyone claiming to have an affinity for comedy gets a nice introductory set via Spike Jones: The Funniest Show On Earth (Infinity, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP). The 3-disc set is packed with classic bits and over 60 songs, plus 2 never-aired pilots.

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If you go into Funny People (Universal, Rated R, DVD-$34.98 SRP) expecting another laugh-a-minute Apatow flick like 40-Year-Old Virgin or Knocked Up, you’ll probably be surprised and a bit disappointed to learn it’s actually a tale *about* funny people – comedians – in particular one played by Adam Sandler, who is given a second chance and decides to address some issues in his life, particularly the girl that got away. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, a production documentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, prank calls, a gag reel, and more. The Blu-Ray edition ($39.98 SRP) features additional deleted scenes and prank calls.

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Packed to the hilt with guest stars like Steve McQueen and Walter Matthau and hosted by its titular master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season 4 (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$30.99 SRP) keeps the quality level up across its 36 episodes, all of which are well worth a spin. There’s also a bonus featurette, “Fasten Your Seatbelt: The Thrilling Art Of Alfred Hitchcock”.

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Maybe one day someone will find the closet that the real Robert Rodriguez has been locked in for the past few years. In the meantime, the Pod-riguez is delivering tepid kiddie cinema like Shorts (New Line, Rated PG, DVD-$28.98 SRP), which could have been a rollicking tale of kids finding a magic, wish-giving rock but is instead a tepid affair marked by occasional flashes of what could have been. Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette and a mini-cooking school short. A Blu-Ray edition ($35.99 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus materials.

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If I had my druthers (which I do), I’d like to ignore that Torchwood ever existed as a Doctor Who spin-off and focus entirely on The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) as a worthy extension of the Who-niverse. Because it is. Made for the BBC’s children’s channel, it’s a fun, fast, but thoughtful and character-driven show. Don’t believe me? Check out the second season set, where everything comes together and gels. Bonus features include interviews, galleries, audio clips, TV spots, trailers, and more.

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Animation makes the transition to live action with the made-for-TV Ben 10: Alien Swarm (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.97 SRP), which finds Ben taking on an alien menace intent on dominating the Earth. Bonus features include a making-of featurette and a music video. A Blu-Ray edition ($29.99 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus materials.

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Pull out all of the teeth of the original and make the sense of “Gotta keep the franchise churning” palpable, and you’ve got the not-terribly-interesting Terminator: Salvation (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, DVD-$28.98 SRP). Further muddying the franchise’s continuity by flash-forwarding to the middle, Christian Bale era of humanity’s last hope, John Connor, and forcing him to keep safe the life of his own father. Yeah, it’s a mess. The 3-disc Blu-Ray edition ($35.99 SRP) features an extended director’s cut, a picture-in-picture exploration with director McG, and a pair of behind-the-scenes featurettes.

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It’s a little bit House, a little bit Chicago Hope, and a little bit Grey’s Anatomy – it’s Mental (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP), about the new Director of Psychiatric Services at Wharton Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jack Gallagher, his quirky colleagues, and his unorthodox methods. The 4-disc set contains all 13 episodes, plus an alternate pilot and a featurette.

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The lawyer with the golden briefs returns with the second volume of it’s 3rd season – otherwise known as Perry Mason Season 3: Volume 2 (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$49.99 SRP). The 3-disc set contains 12 episodes of high stakes legal wrangling.

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I’ve become quite tired of Michael Cera, so I was pleased that Paper Heart (Anchor Bay, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.98 SRP) is really a “documentary” about fellow Gen-Z’er Charlyne Yi’s search for love – a concept she doesn’t really believe in, at least in the fairytale, Hollywood sense. But yes, there is some Cera here. Bonus features include featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes, and musical performances. A Blu-Ray edition ($39.98 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus features.

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In the mood for a middling little horror flick that’s at least an improvement over channel surfing? Wondering whatever happened to Thora Birch & Brittany Murphy? Well, you’ll find them both in Deadline (First Look Studios, Rated R, DVD-$28.98 SRP), about a screenwriter (Murphy) who retires to a Victorian house in the country after having a breakdown, hoping to finish her screenplay. Instead, she finds disturbing videotapes of the couple that used to own the house, and… well… you know where this is going. Ooooooooo. Bonus materials include behind-the-scenes footage. A Blu-Ray edition ($29.98 SRP) is also available, with identical bonus materials.

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What happens when you team up two of the most pigmentally-challenged humans on Earth and give them superpowers? You get Jim Gaffigan & Conan O’Brien (voiced by Gaffigan) in Pale Force (New Video, Not Rated, DVD-$14.95 SRP), an animated series where the pair face off against their archnemesis Lady Bronze. Bonus features include Gaffigan’s appearances on Late Night and making-of featurettes.

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Guy Ritchie has been a scattershot writer/director over the years, but the film that put him on the map – Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels (Universal, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP) is getting its high-def release, carrying over the featurette and expletive compilation from the last standard edition DVD release.

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So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

-Ken Plume

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Ken P. D. Snyde-Cast #124: Whither To Dither

Filed under: Ken P.D. Snydecast — Tags: , , , , , , , — UncaScroogeMcD @ 4:36 am

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Adult Swim’s Dana Snyder and FRED’s Ken Plume set out to have a literate conversation between two pals, but inevitably devolve into a verbal, and funny, free-for-all full of bickering, infighting, and the special kind of male bonding that comes from conflict expressed through the podcast medium.

Actor/comedian/raconteur Dana Snyder, you’re certainly aware, is Aqua Teen Hunger Force’s Master Shake, Squidbillies‘ Granny, Minoriteam’s Dr. Wang, and The Venture Bros.‘ Alchemist. Available for weddings and bar mitzvahs (bat availability pending), you can keep tabs on him via his website, www.eyeofthesnyder.com.

Ken Plume is the editor-in-chief here at FRED. He is a friend of Dana’s, as well as his arch-nemesis.

VISIT THE SNYDECAST EXPERIENCE

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KEN P.D. SNYDECAST #124: Whither To Dither – Ken & Dana return with a post-post-holiday discussion about things. So very many things. Some of them will haunt you forever. Most of them, in fact. Probably Dana’s rock hard TWILIGHT abs.

[CONTENT WARNING]: This podcast may contain some foul language and horribly off-color jokes. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

DOWNLOAD: (right click to save)
Episode #124 (MP3 format)

[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/snydecast/ken_p_d_snyde_cast-124.mp3]

SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

Got something to say? E-mail Dana & Ken at the Snydecast mailbag.

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CLICK HERE FOR THE SNYDECAST ARCHIVES

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Trailer Park: Michael Shannon of THE MISSING PERSON

By Christopher Stipp

The Archives, Right Here

I was able to sit down for a couple of years and pump out a book. It’s got little to do with movies. Download and read “Thank You, Goodnight” right HERE for free.

Check out my new column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on TWITTER under the name: Stipp

Michael Shannon of THE MISSING PERSON – Interview

It’s not every day when you are lucky enough to talk to an actor who was not only nominated for an Academy Award for his work in a film like REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, getting edged out by Heath Ledger for his role in THE DARK KNIGHT, but who was also in GROUNDHOG DAY. Honestly, between the former and the latter I am not sure what warrants more kudos but I do know that his work in the new film THE MISSING PERSON is one of the brightest spots in films for 2009.

To talk with Michael is to really love the guy. He speaks with the kind of thoughtfulness and consideration you wish people in your everyday life would use and seems to exude the sense that he’s always observing, always taking in his surroundings. Being an Academy Award nominee ought to have put him in rarefied air but as he expresses below, he does look forward to the day when he can play a role where people aren’t instinctively afraid of him.  I floated the idea of a romantic comedy but I think we both agree that project might be a wee premature. Regardless of the personas he puts on like a finely tailored suit, Michael Shannon still is one to watch and in THE MISSING PERSON he is effortless in the way he navigates a film that showcases his best talents as an actor.

THE MISSING PERSON is now showing.

missing-poster1MICHAEL SHANNON: Hey Chris.

CHRISTOPHER STIPP:  Hey Michael.

SHANNON: How are you?

CS:  I’m doing fine.  How is your press day going?

SHANNON: Good.  We are having fun.

CS:  Is this really a fun part of making a movie that you get to answer the same questions over and over again?

SHANNON: You know, I don’t mind it.  It’s been a while since I made the movie so it’s fun to go back and think about it.

CS:  How is that?  That it takes a while for a movie to get made and takes a little while for it to get out there ““ do you ever get anxious for people to see what you’ve done or are you kind of off doing your next thing once you’re done with a film?

SHANNON: For me it’s like pushing a little boat onto the lake or something.  It sails away and you’re not sure if you are going to see it again.  You just move on and go onto the next thing.  A lot of actors won’t even watch their own movies.  I’m not of that school.  I actually try to enjoy watching the movie if, and when, it comes out because you work really hard on a movie and I like to see the end result.  But I certainly don’t wait around waiting for it to happen.  You have to go on and do the next thing.

CS:  Getting the part seemed ““ just to read it on the surface seems like it was relatively easy.  You had a friend in Amy Ryan and she just happened to pull you along where you got to meet Noah.  Was the process just as smooth as the story makes it out to be?

SHANNON: Well, I did a reading of it and reading are always kind of weird.  I don’t like doing a reading of a screenplay.  It’s such a visual medium.  We sat around and read it and it really read well.  The dialogue was cryptic and it was just a really fun night.  And I think Noah, for whatever reason after the reading, he just felt comfortable with me doing the part.  Obviously, at least at that time, he could have hired profile names for that part and it would have made it easier to finance and distribute but Noah doesn’t really care about any of that.  He goes with his gut.  He’s a very instinctual person.

CS:  Yes.  I talked with him about the film and yes, he amazes me that someone like that can still survive in this business, where it’s not a commodity that can be packaged and bubble wrapped, it makes it a tough sell but it seemed like he still got on the film what he intended to have there with his script.

SHANNON: In his own quiet way, he’s a real warrior.  He had to deal with a lot of uncertainty and doubt from a lot of people but he had a vision and held to it.  That’s why I’m so happy that this film is going to get a life.  If anyone deserves to have a film out there it’s him.

CS:  It absolutely is and it was no hyperbole yesterday when I told him it was one of the better movies I’ve seen this year.  It’s wholly original, wholly it’s own, and you just unfortunately don’t get to see a lot of these films that aren’t spawned by a sequel, or prequel or reboot or rehash.

shannon1SHANNON: Right.

CS:  It must have been appealing to you as an actor to take something that was completely, start from scratch.

SHANNON: There are two instances for me when I have just been blown away by reading the screenplay without even going into production or anything.  And this one, was one of them and the other was Shotgun Stories.  Both of them, just on the page, were very substantial and original and about something meaningful.  In a way, instead of Noah and Jeff Nichols from Shotgun Stories, there are some similarities.  They are both very quiet, very thoughtful and they are really two of my favorites.  I hope to work with Noah a lot more.  It’s hard to tell what his next move will be.  It’s hard for him in this business because he has some standards that he’s not going to let go of.  He’s also not a showy person by nature.

CS:  Right.  I don’t see him directing the next installment of X-Men anytime soon.

(Laughs)

SHANNON: Exactly.

CS:  The character for you was obviously on the page but you had to interpret it in your own way.  What did you see in this character?  What humanity did you bring to it off the page?  What did you see in it?

SHANNON: To me it starts with 9/11.  It’s starts with a man who’s life was ruined on 9/11 and was not able to carry on, which is something that all identify with, at least in our imaginations, if we have not experienced it personally.  A huge sense of loss and a huge sense of giving up and at the beginning of the film he’s in this pit of darkness and despair and living in a haze of booze and cigarette smoke.  And Miss Charley comes to begin to pull him out of his funk because at the end of the day that’s the bottom line that 9/11 happened.  The world didn’t stop and we all had to figure out a way to deal with it and move on.  Noah is from New York, born and raised and 9/11 was a huge deal for him and I think in a lot of ways this is his way of trying to deal with it.

CS:  In my notes I have that it doesn’t feel like a statement about 9/11 but just happens to be like a fact.  It’s not something that needs to have a spotlight shown on it.  It seems like it’s important to the character because that’s how he starts out.  That’s how we get to know him.  But it feels like something that has happened but nothing that needs any more context other than that.

SHANNON: There certainly isn’t any moralizing going on.  It’s not like lessons being taught.  It’s just about the people.  It’s about John and the other missing person.  The person I’m trying to find.  It’s about the decisions that they make.  It’s not, will I be able to love again or feel again.

CS:  It almost feels like, and not to be cliché about it, but he literally has nothing else to loose.  If any number of things could have been put in front of him to do that might have been slightly dangerous or some kind of thrill, he’s got to feel like there is nothing else there ““ just kind of numb to everything around him.  It’s interesting that he choose to couch this film sort of with a noir tinge and I can’t think of any recent films that want to try and marry the modern experience with noir but it fits right in.  How did he explain it to you?

SHANNON:  Noah didn’t explain much of anything to me.  I think a lot of times the contract between an actor and director is basically if you are able to mesh them and give them the confidence that you will show up at a reasonable facsimile in their imagination, which I think I did at the meeting, they don’t really get in your face too much when you’re working.  For me, a film noir is dark, black.  I can’t think of an even that would make more sense to marry film noir than 9/11.  It seems almost a childlike simplistic marriage.  So I wasn’t very conscious of trying to act in any particular style.  But, I’m sure a lot of it comes from the subconscious.  We all like to play and pretend and this detective is an art type in our collective consciousness.  I can’t name any person that I’m trying to copy or emulate but I know it’s all in there and when I put that suit on and stumble around I’m just playing at the same icon that other people have played before me.

shannon2CS:  But it’s not one we’ve seen in a long time.  At least if you were to open up the paper and look at the movie listings it’s not something that’s really in vogue to do.

SHANNON: I guess there’s a risk of it seeming dated ““ if people can see something coming I guess they are more likely to find it distasteful.  It’s a hard thing to pull off without seeming like you are weeping about it.  So I guess that’s why I didn’t want to go back and watch any of the classic movies because I didn’t want to go back and then show up imitating someone.  I wanted to show up and be there and react.

CS:  Was it a fluid process on the set?  This isn’t a Pearl Harbor, it wasn’t a mega production.  Is there an intimacy, to put it like that, when you are on a set this size that you don’t get on a major film set?

SHANNON: Oh yes.  It was very intimate.  What I enjoyed about it was that it was hard.  There were long days.  We shot the movie very quickly.  We typically would do a couple, maybe three, scenes a day.  I was always working.  I wasn’t sitting around much which I enjoy.  I think it helps the film.  It’s a better atmosphere.  More conducive to good acting than sitting around for hours and hours doing nothing.

CS:  I know that this question seems sort of far off field but looking to see how you got your start with Ground Hog Day and I lived in Illinois and actually visited the set when I was still in high school.  Just as an idea or a thought, Amy has been in the office and your roles as of late has been quite heavy and dramatic, any romantic comedies coming out of you any time soon?

SHANNON: I don’t know.  It’s a hard time in the business in general.  There’s not a lot of people making big risks right now.  I got real close on a James Brooks film actually.  I was in a callback and it went through my mind while l was auditioning that this would really surprise people.  This would be the thing that would dispel all these lines of thoughts that I’m some crazy guy.

(Laughs)

And I think because I had that thought consciously, it made me very nervous and wasn’t able to audition well enough to get the part.  So, it’s kind of like, I don’t know, maybe I need to go to a sport psychologist or something to fix the pitcher that can’t throw his curve ball anymore because he’s so worried about it getting knocked out of the park.

But, I don’t want to spend my whole life playing people that other people are scared of.  The thing is, John is a funny guy and a sweet guy.  He certainly ends up being sweet and funny with Miss Charley and he gets his stuff together in the end and stops drinking so I think it’s kind of uplifting in a way, this film.

CS:  It absolutely is and I know my time is done but it is a great film that showcases what you are really capable of doing and your whole body of work does that and I really do hope that it opens the eyes to some people who might see you now in a more kind light.

SHANNON: Thank you Chris, I really appreciate that.

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