Tag: Wil Wheaton

  • A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Paul Sabourin

    bitofachat-header.png

    lucyline.gif

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

    In this episode, I have a chat with one half of the dynamic music and comedy duo Paul & Storm, Paul Sabourin, about Ball Pits, electribbean, sterkins, Breadstix’s, Cinna-spins, and Olé Olés.

    Find out more about their new album, BALL PIT, at paulandstorm.com.

    Hope you enjoy…

    Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & Paul Sabourin“:

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

    SUBSCRIBE
    Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

    ##

    patreon-fred.png

    Drop Ken a line HERE.

    ##

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

    lucyline.gif

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 4/6/12: Horsing Around

    weekendshopping.png

    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 FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

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

    I didn’t think Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the tale about a WWI cavalry War Horse (Dreamworks, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$45.99 SRP) would be terribly interesting, but I shouldn’t have doubted Spielberg’s ability to at least ring a watchable flick out of material. And then make it into one of his strongest films in years, with a powerful sweep and emotional depth found in his best work. Bonus materials include an in-depth behind-the-scenes documentary, featurettes, and more.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    What a brilliant geek alchemy the fine folks at LEGO unleash every time they release another their vehicle sets based on the classic Star Wars films, and all of the buttons are duly pushed with their new LEGO: X-Wing Fighter ($59.99), which perfectly replicates – in brick form – the workhorse starfighter of the Rebel Alliance. Not only do you get workable wings, but also minifigs of Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Jek Porkins (!), & R5-D8. Come on – As soon as you know you can get a Porkins minifig, how can you not get this set?

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    One of the biggest surprises of last year was Chris Elliott’s triumphant return to television with the Adult Swim take on Walker, Texas Ranger, Eagleheart (Adult Swim, Not Rated, DVD-$19.97 SRP), which stars Elliott as the cranked to 11 eponymous Federal Marshall. The disc features all 12 episodes of the first season, plus commentaries, deleted scenes, outtakes, and featurettes.

    blankguide.gif

    It doesn’t really address some of the stories I’ve heard about how ambitious he was in his rise to the top of the Sesame Street food chain, but Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey (New Video, Rated PG- DVD-$29.95 SRP) is really more about being a touchy-feely tale of how a Baltimore teenager named Kevin Clash followed his dream of working with Jim Henson and The Muppets and grew up to be the performer behind one of the most recognizable characters in the pop culture landscape. Bonus materials include featurettes, interviews, a Q&A, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    Short-lived and forgotten, who couldn’t love Bob Newhart as a superhero comic artist in the sitcom Bob (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP). Audiences, it seems, as it only lasted a little over a season. Not even the incredible power of Betty White could save it, even though it is a fun show. The complete series set contains original Entertainment Tonight interviews with Bob & Betty, and a digital version of the “Mad-Dog” comic.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s always a delight when a classic piece of cinema makes its way to high definition, and so we have Roman Polanski & Robert Towne’s still brilliant Chinatown (Paramount, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP), looking and sounding superb. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, and the theatrical trailer.

    blankguide.gif

    Very few sitcoms have gotten the high definition treatment, and particularly not one that goes back over 10 years, but That 70’s Show: Season One (Mill Creek, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$24.98 SRP) looks pretty darn good, even more so because it’s presented for the first time in anamorphic widescreen. Certainly worth checking out, and here’s hoping they release the rest of the series. Bonus materials include featurettes and a new-to-Blu-Ray look at how the show’s signature transitions were created.

    blankguide.gif

    Shout Factory continues their noble mission of re-releasing Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes that have gone out of print with a pair of returns – MST3K: The Wild World Of Bat Woman & MST3K: Girl In Gold Boots (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$14.99 each). Here’s hoping they continue to release ’em!

    blankguide.gif

    Cartoon Network’s decidedly indie kiddie cartoon gets it’s first DVD release with Regular Show: Slack Pack (Cartoon Network, Not Rated, DVD-$14.97 SRP), featuring 12 episodes of awesome plua s a bonus. Yeah. Even adults will dig it.

    blankguide.gif

    When he puts his mind to it, Cameron Crowe certainly knows how to make an affable – overly-so – film, and that’s exactly what he does with We Bought A Zoo (Fox, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), which is based on the true story of a journalist who moves his fracturing family out of the city and to a dilapidated zoo. Which, yes, they restore – at the same time they restore their family. Guessed that, did ya? Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    As much as I thought Torchwood was a misguided, often frustrating, and even more often boring series (and regrettable spin-off from Doctor Who), it wasn’t until the recent Torchwood: Miracle Day (BBC, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$59.99 SRP) that I truly began to loathe it, as every character in the convoluted, ultimately insulting story about death taking a global holiday is a tone deaf parody of genre cliches. Don’t believe me? Watch at your own risk… And mourn the lost potential of the once-exciting Captain Jack Harkness. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    Wil Wheaton fans eager to complete their collections of his cinematic output will want to thank MGM’s MOD Limited Edition Collection for the release of Fish Don’t Blink (MGM, Rated R, DVD-$19.98), while Freddie Prinze fans get the comedic heist pic The Million Dollar Rip Off (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98). Meanwhile fans of obscure, misguided attempts to be comedically hip in the 60’s will want to get Sergeant Deadhead (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98), and aficionados of dated 80’s drama will want Modern Girls (MGM, Rated PG-13, DVD-$19.98).

    blankguide.gif

    Watch as a franchise already on thin ice gets in trouble in the tropics with Alvin & The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (Fox, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$39.99 SRP), which finds the singing animal trio saddled with the Chippettes on a remote island after a cruise trip goes wrong. Bonus materials include featurettes, extended scenes, music videos, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    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

    ##

  • Weekend Shopping Guide 5/28/10: When Penguins Fly

    weekendshopping.png

    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 FRED Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

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

    While the first volume could be a bit rough going, as the strip was still finding its footing and voice, Bloom County: The Complete Library Volume 2 (IDW, $39.99 SRP) is Berke Breathed really hitting his stride and crafting the comic that a generation (including me) fell in love with. Combining gut-level comedy with brilliant satire, its absence from the landscape is still a loss, but I encourage everyone to pick this up and re-live the good times.

    thinkgeek-01.jpg

    It may seem a bit pricey, but considering what a real pain it can be to keep monitors and TV screen clean and dust-free, finding a solid product that quickly and effectively does that cleaning with no fuss certainly makes the cost worthwhile. So what is this great product? The TV Clean Electronics Duster ($59.99). Essentially, it’s a spiffy lint roller for your gear.

    thinkgeek-02.jpg

    Forged in the fire of the Writers Strike of 2008, released on the internet to rabid fan acclaim, and long available on that selfsame net, you can now get Joss Whedon’s online musical, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (New Video, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$19.95 SRP) in high definition. Bonus features include a musical studio commentary, a standard commentary, making-of featurettes, and Evil League Of Evil application videos.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s an uneven affair, but Mystery Team (Lionsgate, Rated R, DVD-$27.98 SRP) – about a trio of high school seniors still lodged in their childhood fantasy as white bread investigators suddenly in the deep end of a murder mystery – is still smart enough to be a worthwhile watch. It certainly makes me interested to see what else Derrick Comedy – the troupe behind the flick – have to offer in the future. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, featurettes, a comedy short, and a gag reel.

    blankguide.gif

    New to Blu-Ray from the fine folks at Criterion is By Brakhage: An Anthology – Volumes One and Two (Criterion, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$79.95 SRP), whose 3 discs contain a collection of the often bizarre, but always fascinating, experimental short films by Stan Brakhage. By tinkering with exposure, painting, editing, and more, Brakhage presaged much of what we see in advertising (and even MTV) today. Bonus materials include video encounters with Brakhage, audio remarks, a video interview, a short film by his wife, footage from his Sunday salons at the University of Colorado, audio recordings of his lectures, and an essay-filled booklet.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s nice to see that IDW is continuing to give love to John Byrne’s creator-owned venture all these years later with the 2nd volume of their Next Men Premiere Edition (IDW, $50.00 SRP) – a deluxe, oversized, hardcover presentation of issues 11-20, including the Mark IV back-up features. Definitely a must have addition to any true comics fan’s library.

    blankguide.gif

    It’s big 50’s filmmaking at its finest, it contains one of the most memorable sequences ever set to film, and I’m delighted that Spartacus (Universal, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP) has made its way to high definition that ports over all of the special features of the standard special edition from a few years back – including featurettes, archival interviews, newsreels, deleted scenes, and galleries.

    blankguide.gif

    Admittedly, it’s squirm-inducing car wreck TV, but I can’t help but be riveted by Hoarders (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP), which looks at – and ostensibly helps – those who compulsively, and detrimentally, retain everything from magazines to trash. The 2-disc 1st season set also contains additional footage.

    blankguide.gif

    Long one of those classic shows that has been absent on DVD, the complete first season of The Virginian (Timeless Media Group, Not Rated, DVD-$79.98 SRP) is now available in full color, fully restored. With a guest list that includes the likes of Bette Davis, Lee Marvin, George C. Scott, Robert Duvall, Ricardo Montalban, and more, TV’s very first western is worth a look-see. The 10-disc set contains all 3 episodes, plus a bonus disc with exclusive cast interviews.

    blankguide.gif

    If you’ve been ensnared by the bayou vampire drama True Blood (HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$59.99 SRP), then you’ll probably be snapping up the complete second season, as a new threat to the sleepy southern town of Bon temps rears its ugly head. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, featurettes, and a special edition of the Vampire News.

    blankguide.gif

    The modern day Robin Hoods of Leverage (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) return in a second season that finds them without a base of operations and within even bigger greedy prey in the offing – everything from Ponzi schemers to a rival crew of thieves. The 4-disc set contains all 15 episodes, plus audio commentaries, featurettes, a spoof video, and a gag reel.

    blankguide.gif

    Made for the UK’s ITV, both The Glory Boys & The Contract – available together in a box set (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$39.99 SRP) – are true relics of the cold war era, with a cast list that includes the likes of Rod Steiger, Joanna Lumley, and Anthony Perkins. They’re both worth a spin.

    blankguide.gif

    Oh yes. It’s that time again. Are you ready for it? Are you sure? Because you have to make sure you’re ready for a new David Cross comedy special, and David Cross: Bigger And Blackerer (SubPop, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP) is a fitting follow-up to his two previous releases. To describe the material is to ruin the surprise. Just get it.

    blankguide.gif

    Wil Wheaton brings his evil, evil presence to the 3rd season of The Guild (New Video, Not Rated, DVD-$14.95 SRP) as the leader of a rival group of gamers know as the Axis Of Anarchy, which face off against a Guild left in tatters after the party that ended season 2. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, music videos, featurettes, interviews, gag reels, and more.

    blankguide.gif

    For anyone interested in exploring the origins of the amateur literary jam session that is The Bible, take a look at the impressively researched documentary series Testament (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$59.99 SRP), which explores the writing, revisions, translations, and misinterpretations of the tome.

    blankguide.gif

    The History Channel packages profiles of history’s most naughty rulers in the 2-disc Ancients Behaving Badly (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP), featuring Caligula, Alexander The Great, Julius Caesar, Attila The Hun, Hannibal, Cleopatra, Ghengis Khan, and Nero.

    blankguide.gif

    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

    ##