MIXED BAG PODCAST IS COMING!

Heads up to all my readers...soon you can be listeners too. My friend Zach Martin and I had been discussing doing a podcast for about a year and, finally, we got around to doing some testing and have agreed to start podcasting very soon. The first weekly podcast should be up sometime this week, titled "Mixed Bag" and will follow the themes of Dumbledore Shot First, with discussions about various current and nostalgic pop culture-- from movies to videogames.

Stay tuned for an update. We're looking for guests for our future podcasts if our pilot turns out positively. Two is a dialogue, but three is a party.

You can check out Zach at his blog page, Sanity of a College Student. Or his His Youtube Channel.

WORD OF THE DAY! 6/9/12.

Arthurian [ahr-thoor-ee-uhn]
adjective
1. Of or pertaining to King Arthur, who, with his knights, formed the subject of large part of medieval romance.

EX.Pictured above and below you can see the Muppets cast dressed as characters from Arthurian lore and, to be honest, I would love to see a Muppets film based on the premise. It would, basically, be a FUNNIER version of Monty Python. That's right Holy Grail fans. I'm calling you out.

Muppet Treasure Island and the Muppet Christmas Carol were two great examples of a Muppets genre parody.

BILLY BONES DEATH SCENE

And the Star Wars episode of Muppet Babies is a lost treasure. It even includes a Jetsons parody and a Star Trek parody. The people who made the show must've been having a lot of fun drawing their characters in cool outfits.

THIS IS INSANE?!

WORD OF THE DAY! 6/8/12.

hassle [has-uhl]
noun
1. A disorderly dispute.
2. A problem brought about my pressures of time, money, inconvenience, etc.
verb
3. To dispute or quarrel.
4. To take time or effort.

EX. Summer is coming strong ya'll. And remember, don't hassle the Hoff.

Did you know that in The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (2004) that they built a giant David Hasselhoff model and dragged it through the water to create the effect of the scene where Hasselhoff carried Spongebob and Patrick on his back?

WORD OF THE DAY! 6/7/12.

Darth [dahrth]
noun
1. Sci-Fi/Fantasy. In the fictional Star Wars universe, it is the traditional title of a Sith Lord or Master, the first part of the new name they take on. It was once believed to be a condensed version of 'Dark Lord of the Sith', and thus the reason for the title. In Star Wars, the title is taken on by most villainous force users as an official title, alongside a nefarious sounding moniker.


Time Lord [tahym-lawrd]
noun
1. Sci-Fi/Fantasy. A fictional extraterrestrial race and civilization of humanoids in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, of which the series' main character, the Doctor, is a member. Also, called Gallifreyans, in reference to their home planet of Gallifrey, these advanced aliens are one of the oldest species in the universe and are called "time lords", because of their mastery of time and space. Physically, their outward appearance is identical to humans, but, despite their similarities, Gallifreyans have marked differences. The most obvious difference is that they have twice as many organs of the average human, as well as, a much larger brain. The average Gallifreyan is more reslient, heals much faster, needs far less sleep, etc. They're generally superior in all manners physical and mental, but their most astonish unique ability is their incredible "regeneration" ability.

While, a Gallifreyan ages much slower than a human, if a Gallifreyan is terminally ill they can choose to regenerate. This process sets up a violent and complete metamorphosis that affects their whole bodies and makes them into a completely new person (usually younger in appearance). Each new regeneration brings a new face, a new personality, and other new quirks, but with all of the old experiences.

 For these reasons, Gallifreyans are often considered amongst the most immortal beings in the universe and feared/respected across time and space.

Yet, presumably lost in the Time War, only one subject is believed to still exist.

WTF WEDNESDAY! EAGLEHEART!

WTF WEDNESDAY PRESENTS

EAGLEHEART: "MASTER OF DA' SKIES!"

 Eagleheart was a must-see from the first trailer I watched and it really came down to two huge factors; the show is a satire of 90's over the top super cop shows, specifically, Walker: Texas Ranger (starring Chuck Norris) and it starred an actor I've seen pull off funny performances in so many weird places, Chris Elliot. 

The show is about Chris Monsanto, a US Marshal that fights crime alongside dim-witted Brett (Brett Gelmen) and by-the-book Susie (Maria Thayer). In  a constant war against criminals, from art smugglers to evil-twin con artists, Chris will use ultra-violence at the levels that would make just about anyone cringe to kill anyone in his way.

The episode that really captured my attention and screams out as a perfect example of a good episode, is Episode 3 of the 1st Season, "Master of Da' Skies", where Chris discovers a shocking loophole in local law. In the sky, there are no laws and "The Baron" rules this criminal overworld from his flying zeppelin "Cloudtopia." The response of Chris? Extremely violent vigilante warfare on the criminals who think they can escape the long hairy arm of the law.

Eagleheart is probably the most promising live-action show to come to Adult Swim that I've ever seen. It is currently rocking out its second season and I have high hopes that it'll hit its third.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FIRST TASTE OF SKY CRIME!

CLICK HERE CHRIS MONSANTO'S ANSWER TO SKY CRIME!

WORD OF THE DAY! 6/6/12.

monochromatic eyes [mon-uh-krah-mat-ik-ahys]
noun
1. In real-life, some people can have different colored irises, but there entire eyeball cannot be the same color. However, in fiction, this obstacle is ignored for several reasons. Often it used to highlight the alien and/or unusual, either through supernatural characters, stylized anime characters, or may show that the character is going through an unnatural experience, like a psychic episode. In  comic books, it is very common, especially among characters who wear masks to disguise their faces. The eye holes in their masks are usually turned pure white and this does help give their disguises added, but fantastic credibility. One problem with this design choice is that, for some readers/viewers, such design choices are disconcerting or make it difficult to discern a character's emotional motives.


EX. Batman be creeping with those monochromatic eyes, but add a pair of pupils and it just gets worse.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP! 5/28-6/3/12.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP PRESENTS

"OH, YOU!" WEEK

7. WORD OF THE DAY. 6/2/12. Aegis.

The last week was a week of illness and diversions. Despite my illness, I managed to blog my usual load, more or less, and the week helped me realize a few small goals. For example, by the end of the Summer, I hope to be in far better shape than I have been in years.

P.S. Pikachu is the bomb.

6. WORD OF THE DAY. 6/1/12. Fap.

This is easily the most questionable content I can remember posting, at least for a word of the day, and I am happy to say I think I handled it maturely.

Also, I had been trying to find a way to use this image for months.

5. WORD OF THE DAY. 5/30/12. Psycho Somatic.

" A great example of these empathetic experiences would be in my A D & D group. A character, in game, was using a crystal ball. One of the other characters asked to look at it. In real life, the first player actually handed an invisible object to the other person and, when done, the other person handed it back; and they laughed at their dorkiness."

4. WORD OF THE DAY. 6/3/12. Et cetera.

Now, you want something you can't go wrong with? Look no further than the classic family film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1970). There are few films I find harder to not recommend for an afternoon with your loved ones. Gene Wilder is incredible. 5/5.

3. WORD OF THE DAY. 5/31/12. Game boy.

This was another great example of a very personal look at how gaming has affected my life. My Game boy is probably the single most effective symbol of my childhood. It represented the diversion of a small boy who could allow his imagination to surge in monochrome. My imagination is still monochromatic but, as I get older and leave my childhood isolation behind, I find color and shades of grey leak into my every fantasy.

I still have my Game boy and it still works. I wonder if any kid can say the same thing about your DS or cellphone in twenty years?

2. MUSICAL MONDAY PRESENTS STARSHIP: THE MUSICAL!

 "...a twisted and delightful amalgam of Pixar's Bug's Life and the cult classic Starship Troopers."

1. WTF WEDNESDAY! SNOWFLAME & THE NEW GUARDIANS!

"I am Snow-Flame! Every cell of my being burns with white hot ecstasy. Cocaine is my god and I am the human instrument of its will!"-Snowflame, The New Guardians #2

And I honestly don't know else to convince you to check out Linkara's review, of the fan webcomic, about the long neglected super-villain, Snowflame. He is a super-villain whose powers are derived from cocaine. End of sale pitch.

Oh, You! A sitcom coming to a internets near you.

WORD OF THE DAY! 6/5/12.

Greek fire [greek-fahyr]
noun
1. A weapon utilized by the Byzantine Empire, it was typically used in naval battles, to great effect, as it could burn while floating on water. It provided a technological advantage over the Byzantine's enemies, leading to victory in many key battles, and securing the position of the Byzantine Empire for many years. The weapon had such an effect on west European crusaders that all such incendiary devices were called by the same name. The contents of Greek fire remain a mystery to this day, the mixtures kept secret to protect their military advantage, and to this day the exact contents are unknown.
2. Any sort of flame or inflammable weapons that are difficult to put out or uncontrollable; such as a wildfire.

EX. *GAME OF THRONES SPOILERS AHEAD*

The wildfire in Game of Thrones, which is based on the Greek fire weapons of the Byzantine, led to one of the most impressive special effects in not only the television series, but in fantasy television. The fire effects were splendid, the color was vibrant, and all of the practical effects (explosions, stunts, etc.) made for a memorable moment in a worthwhile series. Click the link below to watch the scene in action.

GAME OF THRONES BLACKWATER WILDFIRE SCENE!

And now for something completely different.

Prince Joffrey is one of the worst characters I've ever seen in fiction. Combine the spoiled child of Dudley Dursley, the blond bully of Draco Malfoy, and the sadism of Dolores Umbridge and what do you get? Prince Joffrey. The moment that really defines the first season for me is when, after hearing the childish bullcrap spew from the boy's mouth, his dwarf uncle Tyrion (the show's break-out Emmy award-winning character portrayed by Peter Dinklage) just slaps the piss out of him. It is cathartic.

TYRION SLAPS JOFFREY (10 Minutes of Slapping)

SHORTER VERSION

MUSICAL MONDAY! DISNEY FANATIC! #4 DRUGS & ELEPHANTS

MUSICAL MONDAY PRESENTS:
DISNEY FANATIC #4 DRUGS & ELEPHANTS

DUMBO: PINK ELEPHANTS ON PARADE (1941)!

THE ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH: HEFFALUMPS & WOOZLES (1968)!

Dumbo would be a rather forgettable film, if not for one somewhat scarring to a child, somewhat trippy to an adult, and somewhat technically impressive for anyone with an eye for animation. The scene begins with poor Dumbo drinking from a water bucket that, unbeknownst to him, has been laced with absinth, a strong alcohol with a hallucinogenic ingredient, and he basically begins to see the most incredible and somewhat scary thing I've ever seen in a Disney movie. I think, besides the seen with the racially charged crows, this is probably the most memorable scene in the film. The animation here is actually quite impressive, with a lot of interesting ideas for the motions of the characters involve, and really speaks to Disney's strengths, which began with animated song numbers. And, of course, the pink elephants are a reference to those you're supposed to see while blitzed.

Then, a quarter of a century later, we basically get the spiritual sequel; except our victim of a hallucination is poor Winnie the Pooh. After eating some honey, falling asleep during a storm, he has a phantasmagorical dream of elephants and weasels or "heffalumps" and "woozles". This one shows the evolution of animation that has moved away from the rubbery-style of old and this one focuses more on using bizarre combinations of colors, having as many things going on screen as possible,  and ends with a big bang.

Watch the videos and enjoy the Disney nostalgia.

WORD OF THE DAY! 6/4/12.

Olmec [ol-mek]

adjective

1. Of or designating a Mesoamerican civilization, c1000–400 b.c., along the southern Gulf coast of Mexico, characterized by extensive agriculture, a dating system, long-distance trade networks, pyramids and ceremonial centers, and very fine jade work.

noun

2. A member of the ancient people who belonged to the Olmec civilization.

WORD OF THE DAY! 6/3/12.

et cetera [et-set-er-uh]

adverb

1. And others; and so forth; and so on (used to indicate that more of the same sort or class might have been mentioned, but for brevity have been omitted). Often abbreviated as "etc."

EX. " Wrong, sir! Wrong! Under section 37B of the contract signed by him, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if - and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy: I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera... Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera... Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You stole fizzy lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you get nothing! You lose! Good day, sir!" -Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH