Author: UncaScroogeMcD

  • A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Sara Benincasa 2

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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 anew with comedian, writer, host, podcaster, and bathtub enthusiast Sara Benincasa about beautiful Queens, beautiful people, air conditioners, Hemingway, and FreakToe the Cat.

    Also, be sure to visit her official site at www.sarabenincasa.com.

    Hope you enjoy…

    Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & Sara Benincasa 2“:

    [audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/bitofachat/bit_of_a_chat-sara_benincasa_2.mp3]

    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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  • A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Mike Sacks

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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 author Mike Sacks about his new book, chasing Death, Sting, reading, and the transcendent nature of nude drumming.

    And be sure to pick up Mike’s books: YOUR WILDEST DREAMS, WITHIN REASON and HERE’S THE KICKER: CONVERSATIONS WITH 21 TOP HUMOR WRITERS ON THEIR CRAFT.

    Hope you enjoy…

    Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & Mike Sacks“:

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

    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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  • A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Ted Leo

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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 singer/songwriter Ted Leo about theme restaurants, touring, white whales, bubbles, and death’s door.

    Hope you enjoy…

    Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & Ted Leo“:

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

    (And if you haven’t seen Tom Scharpling‘s brilliant video for Ted’s brilliant “Bottled In Cork”, here you go…)

    SUBSCRIBE
    Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

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    Drop Ken a line HERE.

    ##

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

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  • Contest Round-Up: 2011-06-09

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    Welcome to our weekly round-up of featured giveaways here at FRED. Every week, 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 A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of THE KIDS IN THE HALL: THE COMPLETE SERIES on DVD.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of THE KIDS IN THE HALL: DEATH COMES TO TOWN on DVD.

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of REAGAN on DVD.

    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of BRAD METZLER’S DECODED: SEASON 1 on DVD.

    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of ICE ROAD TRUCKERS: DEADLIEST ROADS – SEASON 1 on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of FANBOY & CHUM CHUM on DVD.

    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away one (1) copy of BURN NOTICE: SEASON 4 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away one (1) copy of WHITE COLLAR: SEASON 2 on DVD.

    In conjunction with Universal Home Video, we’re giving away ten (10) copies of AMERICAN GRAFFITI on Blu-Ray.

    In conjunction with Underground Toys and Thinkgeek, we’re giving away two (2) DOCTOR WHO: ADIPOSE PLUSH TOYS.

  • Win a DOCTOR WHO: ADIPOSE PLUSH TOY!

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    In conjunction with Underground Toys and Thinkgeek, we’re giving away two (2) DOCTOR WHO: ADIPOSE PLUSH TOYS.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win AMERICAN GRAFFITI on Blu-Ray!

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    In conjunction with Universal Home Video, we’re giving away ten (10) copies of AMERICAN GRAFFITI on Blu-Ray.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win WHITE COLLAR: SEASON 2 on DVD!

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    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away one (1) copy of WHITE COLLAR: SEASON 2 on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win ICE ROAD TRUCKERS: DEADLIEST ROADS – SEASON 1 on Blu-Ray!

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    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of ICE ROAD TRUCKERS: DEADLIEST ROADS – SEASON 1 on Blu-Ray.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win BURN NOTICE: SEASON 4 on DVD!

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    In conjunction with Fox Home Video, we’re giving away one (1) copy of BURN NOTICE: SEASON 4 on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win FANBOY & CHUM CHUM on DVD!

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    In conjunction with Nickelodeon Home Video, we’re giving away three (3) copies of FANBOY & CHUM CHUM on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win BRAD METZLER’S DECODED: SEASON 1 on DVD!

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    In conjunction with History Channel Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of BRAD METZLER’S DECODED: SEASON 1 on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win REAGAN on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of REAGAN on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win THE KIDS IN THE HALL: DEATH COMES TO TOWN on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of THE KIDS IN THE HALL: DEATH COMES TO TOWN on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • Win THE KIDS IN THE HALL: THE COMPLETE SERIES on DVD!

    contestheader.jpg

    In conjunction with A&E Home Video, we’re giving away two (2) copies of THE KIDS IN THE HALL: THE COMPLETE SERIES on DVD.

    Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, June 29th.

    Enter the contest!
    Email:
    First name:
    Last name:
    Street Address:
    Address Line 2 (if needed):
    City:
    State/Province/Whatever:
    Zip Code/Postal Code:
    Country:
    Birth Month:
    Birth Day:
    Birth Year:

    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, June 29th.

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

  • A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Nat Saunders 2

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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 have another chat with writer, musician, co-creator of Misery Bear, and prancing man, Nat Saunders, about miserable bears, trolleys, the weather, booze, and more weather.

    You can visit his official site at www.wormhotel.co.uk, and pick up his album at www.airport85.co.uk.

    Hope you enjoy…

    Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & Nat Saunders 2“:

    [audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/bitofachat/bit_of_a_chat-nat_saunders_2.mp3]

    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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  • A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Paul F. Tompkins 3

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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 once again with actor, stand-up, gadfly, and sartorial dandy Paul F. Tompkins, as we pioneer new forms of comedy, focus on our 8x10s, and gift a Shelley Long classic.

    Hope you enjoy…

    Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & Paul F. Tompkins 3“:

    [audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/bitofachat/bit_of_a_chat-paul_f_tompkins_3.mp3]

    SUBSCRIBE
    Subscribe to this Podcast via iTunes

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    Drop Ken a line HERE.

    ##

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

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 6/3/11: Harmonica In The West

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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 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…)

    It’s not pristine, but Paramount has done a fantastic high definition restoration job on Sergio Leone’s legendary spaghetti western Once Upon A Time In The West (Paramount, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-S24.99RP), presenting not only the original theatrical edition, but the extended cut as well. In addition, there’s a filmmaker-laden commentary track full of ardent fans, 5 retrospective featurettes, a gallery, and the theatrical trailer. You’ll also want to buy a harmonica.

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    Got an mp3 player or phone and want to be able to easily access it while on an exercise bike or pushing a stroller or riding your old-fashioned wheelie bike? Try the Texthook ($9.99), which is a mount intended to be placed on a bar and provide security and easy access for your mobile device.

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    Before George Lucas became GEORGE LUCAS and coming of age tales and nostalgia became a cliché, there was American Graffiti (Universal, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$26.98 SRP), which makes its high-definition debut in an edition that services the brilliant cinematography and eternal soundtrack to a T. In addition to the retrospective documentary and screen tests found on the original special edition DVD, the Blu-Ray adds a brand-new video commentary with Lucas and an interactive interface with the soundtrack.

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    While the Stanley Kubrick library has been available on Blu-Ray for a few years now, it was inevitable that it would be revisited, and the first title to get an even more deluxe treatment is the 40th anniversary edition of A Clockwork Orange (Warner Bros., Rated R, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP). Not only does the film look and sound better than ever, but it’s loaded with bonus features, including an interview with and documentary on star Malcolm McDowell, an audio commentary, a retrospective documentary, featurettes, and the feature-length documentary Stanley Kubrick: A Life In Pictures.

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    And while you’re at it, be sure to pick up the DVD release of Malcolm McDowell’s powerful one-man show about his mentor Lindsay Anderson, Never Apologize (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP).

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    You know those films that you can see once and, though you found it agreeable, you really don’t ever feel the need to see it again? Sydney Pollack’s adaptation of John Grisham’s The Firm (Paramount, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$19.99 SRP) is one of those films. Yes, even though it co-stars Gene Hackman. I know, right? The Blu-Ray is currently a Best Buy exclusive, so if you want it, that’s where you’ll have to head.

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    From the famous to the lesser known, Genius Of Britain (Acorn, Not Rated, DVD-$59.99 SRP) profiles and interviews Britain’s current crop of geniuses – from Stephen Hawking to Richard Dawkins – and asks them to reflect on the brilliant, often eccentric thinkers that preceded them. The set also includes the documentary Stephen Hawking And The Theory Of Everything.

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    Back before they were adapted to live action for the big screen, or even live action for the small screen, I remember my elementary school class being ushered into the library to watch the animated version of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$14.98 SRP), which was directed by Bill Melendez, who’s perhaps more well known for bringing the Charles Schulz’s Peanuts characters to animated life. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, a deleted sequence, and galleries.

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    Really, I could care less about the whole vampire thing. The only reason I watch True Blood (HBO, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$59.99 SRP) is to support a show that has a character named “Sookie”. This needs to be encouraged. Yes, yes, she also goes in search of kidnapped Bill and there’s werewolves and a vampire king, but still… “Sookie”. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, minisodes, featurettes, a Snoop Dogg music video, and Post Mortems.

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    Wade into the complete fifth season of the underrated Psych (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP), as Shawn and Gus take on everything from ghosthunting to polar bears. The 4-disc set contains all 16 episodes plus commentaries, deleted scenes, and more.

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    You can tick another series off your lists, completionists, as the fine folks at Shout Factory release the final two seasons of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom – All In The Family: Season Eight and All In The Family: Season Nine (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$29.93 SRP each). As an added bonus, the 9th season set also contains the 90-minute retrospective special aired during that season that celebrated the 200th episode.

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    Just as the show was finally finding its feet, SyFy axed it – which made the second season of Stargate Universe (MGM, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP) its last. The 5-disc set collects all 20 of those final episodes, plus audio commentaries, interviews, featurettes, and more.

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    I have begun to loathe the History Channel, as it becomes a pathetic bastion of hare-brained reality series that don’t even try to apply a thin veneer of historical worth anymore. So what we get now is shows like Swamp People (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP), which follows a bunch of hicks hunting alligators. Week after week. The 3-disc 1st season set contains additional footage.

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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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  • FREDagator: 2011-06-03

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    Darth Vader invades The Happiest Place On Earth…

    Doctor Who as anime? Errrr… ok…

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  • A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Charlie McDonnell

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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 have a chat with vlogger, musician, and presenter Charlie McDonnell about vlogging, singing, cloning, binning, and Who wrangling.

    Visit Charlie’s official site at www.charliemcdonnell.com.

    Hope you enjoy…

    Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & Charlie McDonnell“:

    [audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/bitofachat/bit_of_a_chat-charlie_mcdonnell.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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  • FREDagator: 2011-05-28

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    You remember playing Doctor Who on the Super Nintendo, right?

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  • Weekend Shopping Guide 5/27/11: The Little Gnome

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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 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…)

    It was seen as a strident, preachy end to The Little Tramp when it originally premiered, but the years have proven what lovely political stand Charlie Chaplin was taking with The Great Dictator (Criterion, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP), released while the US was still actively avoiding entry into Europe’s war. The new Criterion edition features a beautiful print of the film with enhanced sound, plus an audio commentary, an in-depth documentary, visual essays, color production footage, a pair of Barbershop sequences that predate the famous one in the film, and the re-release trailer. A brilliant, must-have addition to your high-def library.

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    If you’re not wanting to spring for an expensive pad but you need to eliminate heat build-up under your laptop, try the Cool Feet Airpsace For Laptops ($9.99), which is simply a quartet of suction-cupped feet that attach to the bottom of your laptop. Simple as that.

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    It’s always a beautiful thing to see two actors at the top of their game, particularly when they’re both in the same film. Papillon (Warner Bros., Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP) is not only a great prison escape film whose arrival to high definition is most welcome, but it also features Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen at their powerful peak, lighting up every scene they share. Sadly, bonus materials are limited to a featurette and the theatrical trailer, but having the film look and sound this good is good enough for me.

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    It’s not Pixar, but Gnomeo & Juliet (Touchstone, Rated G, 3DBlu-Ray-$49.99 SRP) doesn’t want to be a work of art – it just wants to be a fun, funny romp, which it is. C’mon, telling a Romeo & Juliet riff with garden gnomes and other assorted backyard denizens is just goofy enough to be enjoyable. Bonus materials include alternate endings, deleted scenes, featurettes, and a music video. And really, if you’re in the least bit a smart shopper, you’ll go ahead and purchase the 3D release, as the set contains not only the multidimensional marvel disc, but also the standard 2D Blu-Ray and the old-fangled DVD, as well. It just makes sense.

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    If you’re looking for pulse-pounding cinematic science fiction, you’re not going to find it in Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris (Criterion, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$39.95 SRP), which has made the transition to high definition courtesy of the fine folks at Criterion. However, if you like the psychological drama and mystery of a more recent film like Moon, you’ll probably enjoy this. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, interviews, a documentary excerpt, and deleted scenes.

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    If Apocalypse Now is the operatic version of the Vietnam War, then Oliver Stone’s Platoon (MGM, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$29.99 SRP) tries to more closely approximate the gritty reality from the perspective of an actual veteran. Though, I have to say, I still prefer Apocalypse, but having Stone’s film in high definition is a nice addition. Bonus materials include audio commentaries, deleted/extended scenes, featurettes, documentaries, TV spots, and the theatrical trailer.

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    If you’ve held off on picking The Kids In The Hall: The Complete Series (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$99.95 SRP) because the box was just too big for you, now’s the time to pick up this must-have set, as it’s been slimmed down considerably and also now includes the 8-part IFC miniseries that reunited the guys, Death Comes To Town. The sets is also packed with interviews, audio commentary, best-of compilations, rare sketches, and more.

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    Studios can latch onto just about any day and turn it into an excuse to release a special anniversary edition of one of their catalogue titles, and Warners has done just that with a pair of new-to-Blu-Ray titles ostensibly making their debut to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War – Gettysburg (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP) & Gods & Generals (Warner Bros., Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$34.99 SRP). Both feature the extended director’s cuts, plus audio commentaries, featurettes, trailers, and more.

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    Long before Days of Thunder or Hal Needham, Grand Prix (Warner Bros., Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$19.98 SRP) was the first film that really tried to – and succeeded in – capturing the speed and energy of car racing. The fact that it also starred the ever-likable James Garner was also a definite plus. Besides a lovely high definition transfer, the special edition features 5 in-depth featurettes and the theatrical trailer.

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    While Warners releases Grand Prix on Blu-Ray, Paramount digs up the Steve McQueen racing movie Le Mans (Paramount, Rated G, Blu-Ray-$24.99 SRP) which featured McQueen doing much of his own racing as a driver determined to win the famous race the year after a devastating accident. Bonus materials include a making-of featurette and the theatrical trailer.

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    Previously available, for some reason you can now pick up a standalone edition of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky (MGM, Rated PG, Blu-Ray-$34.98 SRP) that drops all of the bonus materials available on previous editions, substituting in collectible booklet packaging. Very odd.

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    Has the Royal Wedding already come and gone? So fast! If you’d like to relive all of the memories, the BBC has put together an overview of their coverage titled, appropriately, The Royal Wedding: William & Catherine (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$9.98 SRP), running over 2 hours and including a 50-minute documentary about their courtship. However, if you prefer a dramatized version of that courtship, there’s the Lifetime original movie William & Kate (Lifetime, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP), which does exactly what it says on the tin.

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    As kids growing up in the 80’s, I think we knew instinctively when something was a low-rent rip-off of a far more popular property, and that’s exactly what I felt about the Gobots, which were the bane of any kid hoping to get a Transformers figure from a clueless (often frugal) parent. Relive just how sad the rip-off was with Warner Archive’s release of the original miniseries Challenge Of The Gobots (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$14.95).

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    While I wouldn’t say it’s a great, must-see film, I Am Number Four (Touchstone, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$44.99 SRP) was at least enough of a thriller and featured enough unexpected twists to keep me interested, which is a lot more than most films can do. It’s almost as if producer Michael Bay remembered how to make a film. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, a featurette, and bloopers.

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    I think the most endearing thing about Nickelodeon’s CG-animated series Fanboy & Chum Chum (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$16.99 SRP) is its unbridled giddy exuberance. It’s just a fun, funny, raucous good time. I just wish the initial release was more than 8 episodes. Bonus features include animated shorts and the pilot episode for the Jimmy Neutron spin-off Planet Sheen.

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    Have running out of ice roads to be anticlimactic on, the franchise has decided to further move the whole affair into artifice by dropping the drivers into crazy dangerous roads around the world with the first season of IRT Deadliest Roads (History Channel, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-$34.95 SRP). The 3-disc set contains all 10 episodes, plus additional footage.

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    Via rare archival footage and personal interviews, the History Channel documentary Reagan (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$19.95 SRP) seeks to paint a balanced portrait of our 40th President. You’ll ultimately walk away with your own view on the man and his presidency, but it’s an interesting piece nonetheless.

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    You know, if they’d actually given half an effort to make Brad Meltzer’s Decoded (History Channel, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP) into the Mythbusters of conspiracy theories, it might actually be a worthwhile show. Instead, it’s a collection of crackpot theories poorly investigated into half-assed conclusions. Sad, really.

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    Before he moved on to making big-budget blasé blockbusters, Ron Howard put his child actor past behind him as part of Roger Corman’s stable of actor/filmmakers, as the latest double feature release from the Corman Collection will enlighten you with Eat My Dust/Grand Theft Auto (Shout Factory, Not Rated, DVD-$19.93 SRP). Dust starred Howard, while Grand Theft Auto both starred and was his directorial debut. Bonus features include audio commentaries, interviews, an intro from Corman, and TV spots.

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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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  • A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Molly Lewis 3

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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 have another chat with musician, geek, and internet sensation Molly Lewis about The Continuing Tale of 5 Fingers, with the return of mystery guest and the debut of John Hodgmeme.

    (PREVIOUSLY: A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Molly Lewis #1 & A Bit Of A Chat with Ken Plume & Molly Lewis #2)

    Hope you enjoy…

    Download “A Bit of a Chat with Ken Plume & Molly Lewis 3“:

    [audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/bitofachat/bit_of_a_chat-molly_lewis_3.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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  • FREDagator: 2011-05-26 2

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    Watch this and hope along with me that someone pitches a Grumpy Old Men take with Leonard Nimoy & William Shatner…

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  • FREDagator: 2011-05-26

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    These Muppet trailers just make me feel even worse about the damn movie. GAH! And if you’re going to direct a Muppet Movie, at least learn how to FRAME THEM in the shot without showing the sleeve (1:03)…

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  • FREDagator: 2011-05-25

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    Disney World finds a new way to make Star Wars awkward. Watch the whole cringeworthy thing and question everything you ever believed in….

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