The SomethingSomethingCast: Recent Episodes
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Some movies are 5 Stars – Some movies are less…
We’re back with a new top of the bottom as Hatton has discovered a little gift to the world on Hulu called ‘SURVIVE’ which features one of the least plausible apocalypses ever put to cinema. So settle in, melt some butter, and let us teach you how nautical miles work.. or rather, correct how wrong we are about nautical miles.
And please, beware falling yogurt and sudden onset Rick-Grimesification.
Oui Oui.. here we go … to where the water is…
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Some movies are 5 Stars – Some movies are less…
Well, it was inevitable that at least one of us was going to watch this – and so, because misery loves company, they made the other two and now we get to share this with you.
Ice Cube is stuck in an office while the world is ending, but that’s ok – he’s the world’s most hax0r 3lit3 white-hat and he’s ready to take on those aliens that really hate Tesla.
Join us for our journey back into the world of the One Star – with WAR OF THE WORLDS!
Ok, here we uplink the data module…
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Two episodes in two years – we’re doing so good!
But how did the kids of Hawkins do? Did they make it through the Upside Down to be ready for Stranger Things: The Series: The Movie: The Cartoon? Whatabout the Sheriff and Lydia Deets? Not Mollie Ringwald and not Yakov Smirnov?! And now that it’s over, what piece of nostalgia porn is left for us to fondly remember an idolized version of our childhoods is left!?
Settle in as we breakdown and breakdown the last episodes of a show that has been with us since the 80’s – let’s talk about the end of Stranger Things!
Ok, here we go! …nailed it.
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Welllllcome everybody to, yes, you are reading that correctly, a new 2025 episode of The SomethingSomethingcast.
Look, if we didn’t come here and talk about this on microphones to the internet, we would just be talking about it to ourselves and we figured you might need a laugh too.
A long time ago there was a show that lived and breathed nostalgia. References long forgotten. Nerdery around every corner. Obscure nods to fringe pop culture. Well, that show has decided to come back to do a special pair of episodes to celebrate the finale of Stranger Things.
So load up that RSS feed on your Zune – because the Somethings have yet again reunited for the holiday season to flip-trip-upsidedown yet again for Stranger Things Season Five – Pt. 1
Ok, here it is… wait, how’d that go?
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Hey all – in our years of doing this, we have rarely used this space to talk about politics, well.. some things are too important.
No matter what, make sure you vote.
Audio: An Important Message from the Somethings
Look, we didn’t lie… But yes, this is a new episode.
No, we’re not back… But yes, this is a new episode.
There’s a couple reasons, the first of which is the show EVIL ended and we need to talk about.
The other, well, you’ll just have to listen to the episode to find out, won’t you?
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What started 11 years ago in an apartment was two guys with two microphones wondering what to talk about.
Now, 11 years, hundreds of episodes, dozens of guests, and an unending number of laughs later.. we end with two guys with microphones.
Before we get into the good-byes, let me just say that the week to week Somethingcast is ending, but the website and all of the episodes will remain here for a long time to come and there is every chance that you may see the occasional post or update from the podcast feed. Between Livestream for the Cure, Christmas Parties, or just because Rob and I are really horrible at putting stuff down, this is goodbye, but we will definitely stop back in from time to time to see if we remember how to do it.
That said, let’s get to the farewells.
First, we thank Big Matt for letting us take our bow without him. The last few months he has been an amazing cohost and added a new spin on the fact that the two of us know each other so well. Thank you for that, and we look forward to working with you on whatever comes next.
From Hatton:Geez, writing this was harder than recording that episode. Whether you have been a fan or friend of mine from the Rabble days or the IHL days or just because we met somewhere out on an adventure.. I want to thank you for your love and support and for just being a part of my journey and letting me be a part of yours. You know as well as I do that this isn’t the last time I’ll try and entertain you, but that doesn’t mean that ending this chapter of over a decade doesn’t sting. Anyway, so long and thanks for all the fish.
From PCR:Not sure what to say here that I haven’t brought up in one way or another in the last few episodes, except to say that this has been an amazing journey and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. The places we’ve gone and people we’ve met thanks to this silly little show.. well.. none of it would have been possible without it. To anyone we’ve met, interviewed, hooked us up, and/or listened… my sincerest thanks. As James said, this won’t be the last time I, he, or we try to entertain you. To quote Winnie the Pooh “How lucky I am that have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”.
So, one last time… Okay here we go!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
Well, the rotation lands on me for the final blog post of our 11 year run.
11 years…
I feel like I’m in the last 10 minutes of “Cheers”, where Sam is walking around the bar, and memories just hit me… some good, some bad…
…the sound of Hatton’s voice on the phone every time I told him about an interview we scored…
…the admittedly ugly tension that happened on a particular LOST episode recording…
…the first time we tried remote recording, catching him off guard with “The Hatton Episode”, our attempt at an MST3K style episode…
…our radio dramas, our Dramatic-Ish readings…
Hatton likes to say that we never would have made it 11 years if it wasn’t for the way I pushed us and tried to keep us on track. While that may be true, we never would have gotten out of the starting gate if it wasn’t for James asking me in the first place.
We’ve hashed out and retold our origin story more times than Batman’s, so I won’t go in to it yet again, but that fateful night in a swanky little dive bar that doesn’t even exist anymore set these wheels in motion, and for those of you who’ve been a part of it… Thank You.
Watch this space. There’s new things to come.
-PCR
Good evening Ratbrains!
For the last of the 1-Star Movie Reviews, the Somethings have chosen the creme de la crap, a veritable feast for the senses.. as long as the only thing your senses recognize is the color blue. We are talking about the Travolta & Xenu vehicle that is Battlefield Earth.
Was this movie deserving of its many many many awards? Was it worth the time of actors like Forrest Whitaker and Kim Coates? Are we, a species, doomed to forget everything we’ve known because of the scourge of SIKO and OLOGY or whatever the crap they talk about? Find out on this week’s 1-Star Movie Review: Battlefield Earth
Ok, here Xenu
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Given this is my last blog of this era – instead of writing out a list of thank yous which I’m sure you guys are sick of hearing from us self-indulgently blather on about this month, I thought I’d take a minute to talk about my history with podcasting – what I’ve gotten out of it and what I may do with it in time to come.
For those who know, I started writing over at Inside Pulse/Comic Nexus a long time ago, doing comic reviews and then wrestling reviews.. then one of my Rabble crew, Erik had been listening to our local radio station and the talking heads were blathering on about how it isn’t easy to do what they do and Erik asked if I wanted to try it out… well, the Rabblecast was born (and is still running, although I believe they are now a general pop culture thing now – but it is nice to see one of my babies lives on without me)
It took two years before the bug bit me again and I needed to find a microphone and a friend. The problem was, and to a big degree, still is – I love nothing enough to focus on one thing. When I focus on something too hard, I get bored of it real quick. I stopped doing comic reviews because I knew what the storylines were a year ahead of time, I stopped watching wrestling because there were no surprises (and the product sucked at the time), so walking into a new show, it couldn’t be about any one particular thing… and therein lies the rub. I love gaming and horror movies and puzzles and a thousand things… but none of them enough to be very good at being a critic of them. When I meet a horror fan and they say something like ‘Oh, did you hear Roger Kablingkin is revitalizing Phantasm after he won the lawsuit against Bloody Moon Studios? Aren’t you excited? OH, and Tabitha McWhazzerface will be back as Carmine’s mom!’ or when a gamer sees one of my video game tattoos and starts talking to me about deep lore of games I truly love… and I have absolutely NO idea what the hell they’re talking about. Yes, I love Final Fantasy 9 – no I have no recollection of the second act of that game.
You can hear me audibly blinking in response to these things. I LOVE the things I love, I obsess over absolutely nothing, so whatever the podcast was going to be, it couldn’t be about a THING. It had to kind of be about EVERYTHING.. or more specifically a lot of ..somethings.. The good of that is there is always more to talk about. The bad of that is people tend to listen to podcasts about those things they get nitty gritty about or have some weekly hook. It was never a concern for us, but the podbubble expanded so big in the last decade that our non-specific nature definitely made us easier to get lost in the sea.
So, now that this chapter ends – what’s next? We’ve made allusions to things being on the burners, and there are – but truthfully, I expect you’ll get more from Rob and I individually as well as in tandem after we’ve caught our breath – because, truly, we can’t not want people to notice us. It’s the curse of thinking you’re entertaining and built into your bones. You don’t turn off the microphones for the last time and go ‘Ah, time to stare the wall..’ all we did was free up some time and brainspace for something new to grow.
Whatever it ends up being, where ever it ends up being, we hope to see you there.
Sound off in all the places one last time. – Hatton
We’re back in the Elevator and it wouldn’t be right to leave without visiting one of the greatest guests of Somethingcast history – the man whose guest appearances now achieves double digits. The comic guru, the writing wizard, the beef that is.. Tim ‘Ungajje’ Stevens.
Tim is here to judge what he thinks the best call is for the next phase of the MCU. Will it be those rascally mutants? Galactus? Shao Khan whining? It could be anything!
After you’re done with us here, make sure you go and check out all of Tim’s work and at his Linktree, or go and read his regular entertainment pieces over at TheSpool.net.
Thanks for being with us along the ride Tim, but now the hardest decision of your life, Elevator Pitch: The Next Phase of the MCU.
Okay here we go!
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Big Matt here!
A few weeks ago I did a quick blog about the Fallout games. I wanted to get back into one of them after watching the show, and couldn’t make a decision between Fallout 3, New Vegas, or Fallout 4.Well, I eventually decided to go with Fallout 4, due to the graphics and other updates that were recently pushed out, and I have to say, I am glad I did.I now have about 25 hours back into the game, and I am loving it. The feeling of exploring the wasteland is just as good as it was when I first played through it, and yes, the updates have helped a bit. That’s not to say there still aren’t glitches and crashed, because you better believe there are. I found a fun one that, to my frustration, occurs fairly frequently. When I go to hack a computer terminal while wearing power armor, it was start the ”moving down to the monitor” animation, and then just never get to the monitor. So I get stuck in a little movement loop, and have to kill the game completely. This and a couple other reoccurring glitches has forced me to change how I play a little bit. Each time I go to do just about anything, from hacking a terminal to opening a door, I have to do a quicksave out of glitch fear. Other than that though, I will say, it’s been a hell of a lot of fun getting back into the game, and really makes me want a Fallout 5 in the near future. (We don’t count Fallout 76 as an actual Fallout game)What are YOUR thoughts? Hit the socials and let us know!Big Matt
..we’re here. When we talked about putting the chairs up and turning off the lights, we had a dozen or so episodes to go and now we are down the last month. We hope you don’t mind if we get a little bit self-indulgent.
Over the last 11 years we have laughed a lot, talked to amazing guests, and had experiences that could only exist in the Somethingverse, so please join us as we go back and talk about some of our favorite episodes and moments. Also, you may learn some stories we’ve never told, but now, why the hell not.. we’re not going to get cancelled or anything.
So settle in with the Somethings as we look back at the Somethings and talk about which Somethings were Something to talk about.
Okay here we go!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
So… I recently watched ‘Madam Web’ and… wow do I have thoughts…
For starters, I knew nothing about this character going in. While she first appeared in 1980 in the comics, I didn’t start collecting until later, and when I was into the hobby the deepest, Spider-Man wasn’t much of my weekly pull… so I won’t be talking about things like story arcs or how close they came to the comic portrayal.. this is strictly on the merits of the movie.
It is not good.
I don’t have anything against Dakota Johnson (though, looking through her filmography, I can’t say I’ve seen any of her movies.. but I’m aware of who she is and what she’s done), and.. I’m not sure her acting was really the issue here. The story overall seemed… Meh, the effects of Las Arañas doing their spider-walk stuff felt right out of the Batman TV show of the ’60s, I couldn’t get over the fact that the main villain looked like TEMU Matt Hardy from his “Delete! Delete!” era… but the most annoying part of the movie to me was Julia, Mattie and Anya who’s characters seemed more based on showing off navels and seeing how many times in one scene can they flip personalities and motivations.
The action sequences were filled with frantic jump-cuts, which is usually a terrible sign that none of them were really smooth or cohesive so they had to splice them all together. The way Cassandra’s power first starts getting revealed was jarring and giving me “Vantage Point” flashbacks (an action/thriller that consisted of roughly 39 minutes of footage), and was just… eh? I can see why in the comics she was more of a supporting role but.. what was the point of making a full-blown movie with her as the lead? Sony just doesn’t seem to have a good grasp of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to comic movies and are just looking for properties that are tangential to the MCU to hype, which might not be the best call since the MCU’s glory days are behind them and they’re clearly trying to figure out how to transition into a ‘post Tony/Steve/likely Thor’ world.
Overall, if you want to watch it just to watch it and check it out, make sure you set your expectations to “Morbius” levels and you might be ok…
– PCR
The year was 1995 – the world of videogame nerds was overtaken by the cinema masterpiece that was Mortal Kombat. ..ok, fine, it wasn’t a masterpiece, but it was kinda badass.
The year was 1997 – the world of videogame nerds realized something had gone horribly wrong and the movie studio was trying to cash-in on the IP and gave us Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.
So now, what happens when the Somethings go back in time, choose their Kombatent and rise through the ranks to fight against the villanous Shao Khan.. who is apparently not the Emporer of the Outworld trying to take over the Overworld… he is, apparently, a whiny Italian man whose father really pulls the strings. Maybe. We don’t know.
Test your might – and your stomach this week on 1-Star Movie: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.
Okay here we g–MORTAL KOMBAT, duhn duhn duhn du duhn!
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Hey All, PCR here!
So, late to the party here, but just re-subbed to Netflix with the sole intent of watching ‘Godzilla Minus One’.. and I have some thoughts.
I watched it once, but will be watching it a second time with a different audio option. On first watch through, I watched it dubbed… mostly because it was late, I wanted to watch it, but was lazy enough that I didn’t want to split focus between watching and reading.
First.. the cons…
– The main character of Shikishima is honestly, kind of a dick. Yes, I get the PTSD aspect and that his inner war ‘isn’t over’, but until the very end, I didn’t feel he had a whole lot of depth and range.
– One of the main things I found most jarring was that it felt very cliche to the Late 70s Godzilla movies, which, if that is what it was going for.. was spot on. But combining the sort of ‘trope’ “Godzilla humans” in a movie that had such amazing effects.. it almost felt off putting to me at times.
– Speaking of effects, the only thing I didn’t like was how he moved on land sometimes. On Odo Island, he was a formidable beast. Then, later, in Ginza, he was a thrashing, tail-bashing, city-destroyer. Once we get to Tokyo, he was walking around the city like a guy at 3am up to take a piss with the lights off and trying not to step on his son’s LEGOs. It felt very reminiscent of the rubber suit, which made me a bit sad based off how amazing the visuals were.
…and let’s talk about those visuals…
Pros…
– The visual effects of Godzilla were absolutely amazing. The scene where he’s chasing the boat… him powering up the heat-ray… the effects of the warships exploding.. I mean.. there were more than a few times where I sat bolt upright, eyes wide going ‘holy shit…’. Honestly, I can’t think of one flaw in the visuals of the movie at all, it was an amazingly stunning piece of cinema.
Not really a pro or a con, but the one thing I guess I personally didn’t need was the ‘flashback’ of Tachibana explaining the ejector seat to Shikishima. When he showed him the ‘safety lever’ for the bombs, and to ‘pull it just before’, I knew exactly where it was headed, and felt like going back and explaining it wasn’t giving the audience enough credit for following along.
All and all though, certainly worth a watch if you haven’t seen it yet.
What are YOUR thoughts? Sound off on our socials!
– PCR
If you listen to us semi-regularly, you know that we were once again a part of the amazing Livestream For The Cure event this past month. With friend of the show and the Jerry Lewis of podcasting charity events, Nick Haskins at the helm, we once again go into the elevator and ask a man with a giant check if we could use it… for what?
Well, this week we are taking a video game franchise and turning it into a movie, or vice versa.
That’s not all you get in this episode, as afterwards we hang out with the Livestream crew and talk movies, Furiosa, a bit about the show ending, and just generally merrymake with our ‘For the Cure’ family. We want to thank everyone involved and everyone that stuck around and donated during our time.
That said, the event is over, but there is never a bad time to donate and help to live in a world without cancer.
With that said, enjoy the show! Ok, here we go…
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Hatton here – with Netflix’s drop of Godzilla Minus Zero, my wife and I have gone deep into the monster universe the last two weeks. Starting at 2014 American Godzilla, and working our way up to the newest of Godzilla x Kong: Round 2. Along the way, we’ve also started watching the Apple TV ‘Monarch’ about the secret covert organization that lives beneath all of the movies and will take a Tokyo Drift over to the Toho Godzilla series that was relaunched with Shin Godzilla.
Now, I could go and simply make a list of our favorites, but I think I’d like just throw out some high and low points because, honestly, if you are a monster movie fan.. good or bad, you’re going to watch them much like I’d watch the animated series SAW: TRAPS ARE MAGIC and Rob would watch FAST & THE FURRY’OUS: TOKYO YIFF.
Firstly, our favorite has been Kong: Skull Island by a mile. The initial Godzilla feels fun, but dark, like they really didn’t trust the CGI to not look a bit silly. With Kong, you are 15 minutes into the movie and you are seeing a giant f’n monkey swat at helicopters. That movie, a period piece in a post-Vietnam 70’s feels like a true to life adventure movie with big weird creatures, comedy beats, and a strong ending that leaves you knowing there could be more stories told there. It’s just a lived in kind of movie and I recommend it above all the others.
The rest are fun. They are ‘check your brain at the door’ fun and it all feels like it leads up to the moment in Godzilla x Kong: One where they are fighting in the neon neo-Japan and Kong gets to do parkour of of giant skyscrapers. The plot? Oh, I called the plot before I even saw the movie because it is the archtype of every CHARACTER v CHARACTER story in comic books. We fight over misunderstanding, we have a common enemy, we lose separately, we win together. – jazzhands –
Here’s where I’m going to get hatemail…. I didn’t like Shin Godzilla. I KNOW… I KNOW.. stop yelling, I know. You don’t have to tell me how poignant it is talking about how the government failed to protect its people during natural disasters or how it is being utilized the same way Gojira was used to comment about WWII. I get it. Of course I get it. How could you not get it, 80% of that movie is people in sterile rooms telling each other ‘we need to do something’ ‘we can’t do something’. Over. And. Over. AND I KNOWWW… there’s an aspect where there is homage to the old rubber suit monsters with all of the lengthy talking segments, but even when little Timmy was trying to tell us that Godzilla is his friend, there felt like there was plot movement. We jumped 45 minutes forward of this 2 hour movie and felt like we didn’t miss a single damned thing.
Last point, I am deeply saddened that we only see Mothra briefly as she is the best monster and we’ve not seen Gamera at all. I know he’s a different franchise, but I don’t care. I need my cartwheeling turtlemeat, dammit.
So, what are you thinking of the new monsterverse? How bad is my take on Shin Godzilla… let me know in all the places.
We woke up this morning, had a blue moon in our eye.. like a big pizza pie, that’s amore’ — nevermind.
This week on In The Beginning, the Somethings are stomping on their homeland of NJ and looking at the first episode of a landmark show in television, The Sopranos. This show may have started the cable television revolution, but does it hold up? Does the awareness of mental health in a world of mobsters still ring with uniqueness? And what’s with the ducks, anyway?
Find out the answers to this question, and a whole lot more on this week The Beginning: The Sopranos
Ok, here we fugeddaboutit… that hurt to write.
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Hey Somethings! PCR here…
So.. I managed to get my hands on a key for ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space : The Game’ and decided to give it a shot.
Now, admittedly, I’ve never seen the movie (I’ll wait… ok, done screaming? Continue), and I only ever played the ‘survivor’ side of things but.. after putting in over 1500 hours into Dead By Daylight, I feel even having only played a bit of KK, I have some insights.
For those unaware, Killer Klowns is an(other) asymmetrical killer/survivor, cat/mouse game. It shakes things up a bit by there being 7 survivors vs 3 klowns in a match, and each match has multiple exit points, but each point will only allow so many survivors to leave, forcing the other survivors to find another way out. When you get caught by a klown, they wrap you up in cotton candy and hang you on a hook. Other survivors can attempt to free you, or if you have certain weapons you can free yourself. Where KK differs from DBD (but is similar to other types) the survivors can acquire weapons to fight back. That’s the gist of it.
Is it bright? Sure. Are the survivors all bland? Yes. Can you customize your survivor’s look? Eventually. “What about the gameplay?” So glad you asked… after all those hours of DBD, it’s hard NOT to compare every other asymmetrical game I’ve played to DBD. Let me clarify.. DBD is NOT a perfect game… not by a long shot.. but in my opinion, KK misses on a bunch of the things that even DBD gets right.
The survivor movement feels way too slow and lethargic…not just in walking/running, but in ALL movements. The aiming feels atrocious and the running didn’t feel much faster than walking (although it made more noise to alert the klowns). Searching things felt like it took way too long, and then there would be an annoying cameras angle change for the game to swing around and focus on the inside of whatever you searched.. thereby taking away your ability to keep an eye on your surroundings.
Out of the 7 games I played (2 solo, 5 with other friends) I managed to escape once and that was by complete accident.
When you’re ‘out of the game’ (either dead or escaped), you can play was IGN calls “humorous carnival-based mini games” (not sure what game they were playing.. only 1 was barely ‘carnival based’ and none of them were humorous…) that allow you to choose a ‘fate card’ that can grant a player still in the game something to help them with their continued attempt. None of the games felt like there was a ‘set score/win’ point at which you could choose a card, and was more ‘oh, you’ve been doing this for 20 seconds…cool!’ as even games I did absolutely terrible at, the game would let me choose a Fate Card.
All of this said, I would venture to guess that if I had watched the movie and been a fan of the franchise, I might be inclined to be more forgiving in my take on the game… but since I haven’t and aren’t.. I won’t. I got the code for free and even factoring that in, it’s been uninstalled.
If you’re a fan, it might be worth checking out.. just keep in mind your gameplay time and Steam’s return policy if you’re going into with a 50/50 mindset.
Have you played? What did you think? Hit us on socials and let us know!
-PCR
Somethings! If you’ve been listening for a long enough time, you are well aware that we have issues. Tons of them. Long boxes full of them. And when we get together and start talking, sometimes the best thing to do is just leave your issues on the table and talk them out.
So join us as we each pick some of our favorite issues of comics. Some because they are shining moments of our favorite characters, others because of the art, and even othersbecause they are the embodiment of the stories we like. So grab a stack of funnybooks and play along by listening to Our Favorite Comic Issues.
Ok, here we go! (Prismatic Foil Edition)
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Hey folks, Big Matt here,
My take on the current state of AI…
So everyone is worried about AI right now, right? With good reason, I would say, but at the same time, will it benefit us? This blog isn’t about that. This blog is about how it will end us all. Will AI and automation put people out of jobs? Sure. Will that be a bad thing? I’m not sure. Do I like being able to ask extremely silly questions about nonsensical scenarios and get serious, calculated answers from ChatGPT? I really do.
Do I love asking ChatGPT what would happen if Gandalf was dropped righht in the middle of the battle for Hogwarts in book 8? Hell yes I do. Have I asked how the ending to Fiddler on the Roof would have been different if Tevye had a “Predator movie style hand carried mini gun?” You’re god damn right I have. Have I asked what kind of bits would come from a meeting of Abbot & Costello and Sam Kinison? Hehe, oh yes, and there was a lot of screaming involved, but not from who you think.
And that extremely worthless type of questioning is why I love AI right now. Will it always be this useful yet fun? Probably not, so we should probably enjoy it while we can, before it enslaves us all.
– Big Matt
The Somethings are in the elevator.. but this time, it’s creepy and it’s spooky.. altogether ookey. It does, in fact, yearn for our sweet sweet brain meats which is why this week’s Elevator Pitch challenge is to Reinvent the Zombie.
Now, who is our guest CEO with the big money zomb check? Artist, creator, and long-time zombie enthusiast, Nick ‘Ghostfreehood’ DiFabbio. You may have seen Nick’s work on a multitude of webcomic projects, on the poster of your local indie show, at SuperArtFight, or at his homebase studio of CherryMothCake.com where you can find posters, shirts, enamel pins, toys, and his card game Blade of the Badlands.
What will these new zombos want? Find out on Elevator Pitch: Reinvent the Zombie
Okay here we go….nads!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
Been chatting with a friend of mien across the pond recently as she’s been posting a lot of KISS content to her socials, and it brought me back to the heyday of my youth.
Two of the first vinyl albums I ever bought was KISS Alive : II and the Gene Simmons solo album. I was a HUGE fan of the band… dressed as Gene for Halloween multiple times, hell, even got kicked out of Webster Hall one Halloween dressed as him (that’s.. a long and humorous story), so I wanted to take this time to touch on some of my favorite KISS songs…
Radioactive : Gene Simmons Solo Album
I will fully admit now, KISS is an.. interesting band. Listed on Wikipedia as “Hard Rock”, “Heavy Metal”, “Shock Rock” and “Glam Rock”… I’m not really KISS can be pigeon-holed into a category. They’ve gone into Soft Rock (See You Tonight : Gene’s solo album), Disco (I Was Made For Lovin’ You : Dynasty), even ProgRock (the entirety of Music from : The Elder). Radioactive had Rock elements and, a surprising amount of piano on support for a “hard rock” band. While a Gene solo album song, hearing it again for the first time in years brought me right back to ’78.
God of Thunder : Destroyer
When most people think of a KISS album, this is the one they think of (or Love Gun), and while this album is chock-a-block full of absolute bangers, God of Thunder stands out to me the most. Also, local bar band “The Goatmen” did a pretty amazing cover of it which you can find here.
Music From “The Elder”
Concept Album designed to reinvigorate the band and brand after lagging sales from “Unmasked”? Soundtrack to a never filmed/unreleased movie? Regardless of the actual truth, and regardless that it’s been listed at #44 on “The 50 Worst Albums Ever Recorded”, I absolutely LOVE this album. The whole thing. “Under the Rose” and “The Oath” feel right back to their roots, “World Without Heroes” is deep in message, and even “Odyssey” with Paul Stanley’s distinct voice doing such a romantic ballad-esque song makes me crack a smile. Definitely worth a listen.
Beth : Destroyer
The quintessential ballad. Peter Criss doesn’t have the best voice, but that adds to the honesty and gravity of the lyrics. If you don’t like this song, you’re not a fan of music.
What about YOU Somethings? Hit our socials and let us know your thoughts on KISS!
-PCR
What happens when you take $1000, some Windows ’98 Screen Savers, a green bedsheet, and some stock footage, put them in a blender and turn it on high? Why you get the Neil Breen collection! Now, if you happen to want to see what we saw, you could go to the Breen Collection on Archive.org. I’m not saying you should… but you could.
Matt, Rob and James sat down and watched the story of… well.. to be honest.. we’re not sure, but it has Neil playing twins, and space aliens that look strikingly like Paul Shaffer. So join us as we dive into the gift that Nick Haskins gave us in 1 Star Movie Review: Twisted Pair
Check out “Twisted Pair” on 1 Star Movie Review!
Okay here we go!
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Hatton here…
This past week, I saw Late Night With The Devil – which is a found footage movie that takes place on an old Carson-esque talk show. It does every part of it amazing.. the sets, the color scheme, the slight fuzz to the camera at certain angles. I can’t recommend it enough. But that got me to thinking of all of the other shows I’ve watched and loved that really go out of their way to position themselves as a faux program. Some do it with more intent than others, but they all really do try and emulate the original war of the worlds, and in two instances was on the same day!
WNUF HALLOWEEN SPECIAL – This is one that is worth the watch, but only the once. A local news program that is doing a haunted house expose’. There is a lot to love in it, from the disgruntled newscaster to the authenticity of the commercials in between each news segment. But… it is not without its flaws and lack of feeling and direction. Good, yes. Great, sadly no.
WITHOUT WARNING – I saw this live when it was on tv in 1994 and I was riveted as it may have been my first exposure to this kind of idea. In this one, we are watching news reports and special reports and experts all about a meteor that may hit the earth. It’s a great watch, albeit and you can find it on Youtube.
..and now – the things you must watch…
GHOST WATCH – Out of all of the ones on this list, Ghost Watch is the best of them. In 1992, the BBC put on a talk show about a haunting on Halloween and we walk through a woman’s house, meet her kids, and there is enough not going wrong that it feels like it may just be real. Then, as it goes, it starts using every camera trick in the world to make you feel like you saw something that just couldn’t be there until the big ending. If any one of these inspired Late Night With the Devil – it is this one.
INSIDE NO. 9 – Lastly I’d like to give you one you may not know about. This is a BBC show that, from my limited exposure, feels like a Twilight Zone’esque anthology show. Well, they had one episode that I just happened to bump into online that is framed like a british gameshow… with no breaks or notes or explanations that it isn’t other than the people are a tad odd. Then it gets very uncomfortable, so much that you really have a hard time figuring out if it is real or not… and then it pops. Check it out. It is worth the experience.
Or, better yet, show these to a friend and DON’T tell them they aren’t real. Sound off with ones I may have missed in all the places.
It’s time to talk about the beginning of a show that many heralded as the next big thing, and it had its four seasons and went… but, was it a Success?
We are obviously discussing the journey of the Roy family and the control of RoyCo. A gaggle of children and relatives all battle it out for control of a billion dollar empire. Will it be the political darling? The weird hippy? The hedon? The kiss-ass? It’s one giant eff’d up Brady Bunch at the top of the skyscraper.
So join us in our ivory tower as we look at the pilot episode of a show that said ‘who needs dragons and robots for a big money HBO!?’ and flew off on its private helicoptor. Find out on this week’s episode of The Beginning: Succession
Okay here we go!
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Hey Somethings!
By now you’ve heard through some of our episodes that at the end of July we’re sending The Something Something ‘Cast out to a field where it’s sunny all the time and it can romp around with all the other podcasts that came to an end.
This isn’t to say we don’t enjoy doing it.. we do! But when you’re in a creative space and doing a creative thing for as long as we have, sometimes.. things need to change.
Look at our podcast over the past 11 years.. we went from every two weeks to every week to themed weeks and even THOSE themed weeks have changed semi-frequently as the new ‘creative bug’ bit us about them… and while the drive is still there, there’s a bigger drive to do something far, far different that anything we’ve done in the podcast.. so different, it doesn’t fit into the podcast form we’ve created.
Things are already happening behind the scenes, and while we’re not quite ready to make a reveal, there are a bunch of talented people involved in this project, and we’re all already super excited about sharing it with you all when the time is right!
Watch this space!
– PCR
Sure, movies have cool action and actors and baysplosions.. but have you ever just looked at all of the stuff?!
From laser guns to cool hats, from space ships to candy – Hollywood can make anything cool. So the Somethings are going to talk about some of their favorite movie objects. Whether they are one off tools or the whole maguffin – these are the things that make the fantastic worlds become a reality.
So join us as we discuss our Favorite Movie Props!
Ok, here we ooooh, dude did you see that wallet? It said bad mother fu– you get it.
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We get 5 weeks in April, that’s 20% better than your average month when it comes to Somethingcast episodes. So what do we do? We lug out the ol’ Wheel and spin to find out what we’re talking about.. and lo and behold this week we got Creator Spotlight – and who is the guest? Why none other than Nick Haskins, one of the originators of long-running podcast Epic Film Guys, twitch streamer over at Nikolai’s Kitchen, and podcasting yet again over at Two Peas On A Pod.
And every one of those would be enough to celebrate Nick, but he also is the creator, host, and modern day Jerry Lewis of the Livestream For The Cure – a weekend of entertainment from podcasters with the goal to imagine a world without cancer. The Somethingcast has been honored to be part of the event the last few years and we can’t wait to do it again. So please, keep up with updates on the Livestream For The Cure: Facebook, Twitter, or donate directly to: livestreamforthecure.com
So settle in with a bunch of friends celebrating another on Creator Spotlight: Nick Haskins – And mark your calendar and hang out with us 05/29 – 06/01.
Okay here we go!
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Oh, Hatton’s popping off about X-Men again.
You’re damned right he is – and do you know why?
Because DizMaus is brilliant at what they do no matter how agonizingly horrible they are to American copyright law. Yeah, we had the biggest movie action event of all time and then, pandemic aside, they feel like they’ve stumbled to their next marker. That said, we all thought it was going to be Fantastic Four for a minute, but behind the scenes they were moving X-Pawns into X-Places.
And then, with Patrick Stewart’s cameo, Kelsey Grammar’s cameo, and Wolverine and Deadpool – we were off to the races. Diz wants us to know that not only are they thinking about the X-Men, they are reminding people of what the X-Men was so when they bring to us our all new shiny X-Teams, the people who don’t know a M’kraan Crystal from a Gem of Cytorak can feel less alone. (An aside: I once got lambasted for misremembering which one was which when I used to write comic reviews. I deserved it.)
So that brings us to this image posted with no commentary:
And X-Men MotherTruckin ’97.
It is a love letter to comics to cartoons to 90’s animation stylings and all of it is done with a non-stop rumbling patter of name drops, character drops, and plot evolutions. Hey, was that Marrow on that poster? Yup. Hey, is that Belladonna and Bobby LeBeau at [redacted]? Yup. And they aren’t apologizing for it or spoonfeeding answers. They’re there for us to nerdily explain to our friends and partners why we keep making noises like a teapot every 30 seconds. It’s merging 50 years of the best comic stories the X-Men did and making it one nonstop pastiche of nitro-fueled nostalgia. Secondary mutation? Got it. AvX? Got it. Darkchylde, X-Factor, Glob Herman!?
But do you notice which characters the cartoon is focusing on? Jean and Scott obviously, but Rogue and Nightcrawler, Jubilee and Roberto.. not Wolverine – you know why? Everyone knows Wolverine. And yes, people know who Boyscout Cyclops and Momma Phoenix are – but what about ‘Cyclops did nothing wrong’ Summers and Madelyne ‘Yes I do control demons in lingerie, why?’ Pryor? Because X-Men ’97 has them. Minister Nightcrawler and Unforgiving Unrepentant Marvel v. Capcom Asskicking Rogue? Check and Check. The politics of the X-Men is taking center stage and it isn’t the ‘why do they hate and fear us’ easy patter. It’s the ‘we have laser beam eyes and claw hands, how the hell are we losing!? version we’ve seen in the Krakoa age.
Get ready kids, because the MCU:X is coming, and if it is 10% as good as this cartoon – I’ll have to stop bitching about how horrible the X-Movies are. (It’s going to take some time since there are 2 good ones and 6 bad ones – it’s going to take some time to move that needle)
Anyway, sugah – sound off on your X-thoughts – Hatton Out.
Sometimes the Somethings don’t want to podcast… they want to rock and roll all night, and party every day – but sometimes.. instead of even doing that, they want to go to an amusement park to see a band that may or may not live there and discover the secrets of the evil scientist that is building an army of robots.
Oh, and also, the Somethings have magical powers in this situation. No, we haven’t had them before. No, we’re not explaining them to you.
So find out when we find out we aren’t the only folks who have had that adventure – weird huh? On 1-STAR MOVIE REVIEW – KISS: PHANTOM OF THE PARK
Ok, here we go back to callin… cause we won’t be home tonight
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Hello Somethings, Big Matt here!
So, I just finished watching the Fallout show on Amazon. I loved it. I loved how they fleshed out the world, loved the characters they went with, and even loved the flashbacks to before the bombs. Excellent show all around and highly worth watching.
Now, due to the show reminding me how much I loved the world, I want to play some Fallout again.
This is my conundrum: which game do I go with? Fallout 3 was probably the strongest of the last three games, with New Vegas being a close second, and Fallout 4 being a distant third. (I refuse to acknowledge Fallout 76).
I probably spent the most time in Fallout 3. There was just a perfect amount of things to do, areas to uncover, etc. Fallout New Vegas had a great story and fun characters. Tons of exploring as well. Fallout 4 was the weakest of the three games, in my opinion. The speech trees were pretty anemic, the building mechanic was annoying, and screw that Preston guy. That said, Fallout 4 just received a big update for next gen systems and PCs, which makes it look better and play better.
So, the question is, which game do I get back into. 3, NV, or 4? The most updated game, but also the weakest, or the best game with aging graphics and bugs on an OS it wasn’t made for.
What do you folks think?
– Matt
Wrestlemania may be behind us, but the Somethings are getting in on the action, baybayyy.
So join PCR, Hatton, and Big Matt as they are, yet again, on an elevator with an idea.. you see they each have created a wrestler from the ground up. Gimmick. Moveset. Theme song. And one of their creations is going to hit the ring if today’s CEO approves. The rest’ll be serving hard time.
Today’s CEO is a guy who has established himself in two competitive and cutthroat worlds – wrestling AND comics.. and merged them. Today we have Mike Kingston, creator of Headlocked, a comic that tells the story of a guy who rises through the ranks in the ring and Tales From The Road stories told by the biggest names of the industry. Check out everything he does at: Headlockedcomic.com
So what are the Somethings going to do when it comes crashing down and it hurts inside?
Only one way to find out…. it’s time to play the game on Elevator Pitch: 80’s Wrestlers
Ok here we go.. 4… Life.
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It seemed only right to also put in a post about the big talking point of the Somethingcast this month – the fact that we will be ending the show on our summer anniversary.
This show has outlasted multiple homes. At least one marriage. Much like when I was doing In His Likeness, it was my anchor. In one of my many move arounds, I was setting up my laptop in a friend’s house to make sure we could get shit up on the site. When you do something this regularly for this long, you build a lot of life around it, and for someone like me that would forget what day it was if I didn’t have the labeled underwear… that’s a good thing. (And in case you are wondering, I’m writing this on Hanes Moisture-wicking Cotton Blend Day.)
A lot in our lives have changed and a lot in the world of podcasting has changed, too. The fact that we lasted this long without turning into a True Crime podcast is astounding. (It would be called ‘Sleuttththhhzzzss’ – you know it would.
As the weeks go by, I’m sure we’ll talk more about how we came to the decision and reminisce like the maudlin old assholes we are, but I will say this – time after time, Rob and I would have these check-in moments. They probably started after year 3 or 4, where one of us would say ‘You still want to do this?’ and at first, I probably thought I was getting dumped – but as time wore on, it just became our annual vibe check. More than once one of us got ready to take a brief break from the show and honestly, those brief breaks ended up being near non-existent because the one that was taking some time came up with a great idea or decided they didn’t want the break in the first place.
Like Rob said in his post, we’re extraverted sluts for entertaining people. We may not be here in this exact spot, but I assure you there will be a spot you will be able to find one or both of us as we try a new or different kind of merrymaking. We need to. It’s in the blood. And that’s because the only reason we’ve ever done this show was because we love entertaining you.
Sound off in all of the places with your favorite Something moments or episodes. We would love to know when we made you laugh the hardest.
Til then, talk to you on Fruit of the Loom Red Picnic Checkers day.
– J
It’s well established the Somethings enjoy a show that takes place in a mysterious location with a bunch of people unsure of what’s gone on. Well, in his first selection for The Beginning, Big Matt has provided us with one that slipped through our cracks.. he has given us a bit of a Twin Peek at a little show Lost called Wayward Pines.
This Matt Dillon vehicle covers all the bases – strange location, the audience knowing secrets the characters don’t, secrets on secrets on secrets, and… M Nigh Shyamalan?!
So is this show just another Leftover or was it a gem caught on the Fringe? …flash forward, heroes, persons unknown, i-land…
Find out on The Beginning: Wayward Pines
Ok, here we have to go back… kinda.
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Hey there Somethings, PCR here!
So, hopefully by now, you’ve listened to our “Shows that Went Too Long” episode, and you might be saying to yourself, “Self, those wacky scamps ended their show with an April Fools joke on April SECOND! Will their comedy genius never cease??”
Well, I am here to assure you dear listeners, it was not an April Fools joke.
“Look at their commitment to their craft! Doubling down on a ‘day-later-joke’ FOUR DAYS LATER!”
It’s not a joke.
“Only someone making a joke like that would say so…”
It’s not a joke.
If you would have told us back in July of 2013 when we started this wacky journey in Casa de Hatton 1.0, sitting in his living room, using a direct input mic and one fed into an old mixing board with the 4th XLR cable we rummaged out of a box of cables because the first 3 went bad and a hum behind the audio track that we didn’t find out for at LEAST 10 episodes that it was picking up the fan from his printer that we would still be doing this show 11 years later… well.. honestly.. I don’t know what we would have thought…. but here we are.
It has been an absolute blast, and because of this show, we have met and spoken to people we otherwise never would have had the opportunity to. We have been able to do things and go places we otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to, and that is something that can never be forgotten or taken away.
Our last episode will be July 30th, so there’s still plenty of Something to be had still.
That being said, James and I are entertainment whores, and we can’t NOT create things so… if I were a betting man (and I’m not), I’d likely wager that you’ll run into us again down the road somewhere doing something else.
Until then… enjoy the upcoming episodes. Go back and catch up on our back catalogue. Let us know your favorite episode or bit, and buckle up, cause we’ve still got plenty of great stuff coming along!
– PCR
Everyone has that show.. you know that show – the one you were the repository of knowledge for. The show you didn’t miss week to week. You were on the Usenet forum, had built a vanity page for it on AOL, your entire Livejournal icon system was built around your favorite character’s moods. You WERE this show… which apparently aired in 2005. Anyway, as the years went on, you started to feel that maybe.. just maybe.. it got a bit long in the tooth. Then the tooth turned into a tusk.
This week, we are discussing shows that overstayed their welcome – maybe by a year, maybe by a decade. Grab a fish biscuit, and settle in for Shows That Went On Too Long…
And please, make sure to listen all the way through, the last selection may shock you.
Ok, here we keep going…
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It’s the last blog before April – and aside from it being James Hatton Appreciation Month – it is also time yet again for the Superbowl of grappling – Wrestlemania!
Now, at the moment, there are some big shaking going on in the squared circle. The Rock is on television again. The two night event is going on in Philly so it’s guaranteed if they don’t put on a good show they’ll have batteries thrown at them from the rafters while Gritty screams ‘E C DUB’ – but I wanted to throw out some of my favorite matches of Manias ever. Oh, and this isn’t the only wrestling content you’ll be seeing from us this month.
KOFI-MANIA – Kofi Kingston v. Daniel Bryan – This is a bit of a biased pick because I was there for this one. Yes, we were hanging off of the ‘G’ in Giants stadium, but I saw when Kofi Kingston beat Daniel Bryan at what felt like 4am at Wrestlemania 35. I love Kofi Kingston and seeing a build around a guy who has deserved it for too too long made me thrilled to be there for one of the most heartfelt in-ring moments that’s ever closed out a Wrestlemania. I don’t get emotional about wrestling, but watching Xavier Woods in tears of joy … it makes a guy a lil dusty.
THE AYO-TOLLAH & THE TEA CUP – Chris Jericho v. Stephen Regal – Mania X7 is considered by many, if not most, the greatest Mania ever.. and sure, it’s got Rock/Austin 2 and Hunter v Taker… but how come nobody talks about two of the best ringworkers of the day. General Manager Regal fights Y2J over, if memory serves, pissing in his teapot. That doesn’t matter – what does is the fact that Regal holds absolutely nothing back, reversing the Walls into a Stretch, and chopping the snot out of Jericho in a way Gunther would be proud of.
RATED R FOR FIRE – Mick Foley v. Edge – I am an unabashed huge Edge fan. I never expected he would get the launch he did into main event status until this match. Both men go out there to prove that they can hang, but for different reasons. Edge goes and puts on a hardcore performance that rarely ever gets seen on a Mania and Foley shows that even though he is on the last steps of his in-ring career, with the right motivation, he is a legend for a reason. It’s brutal in ways you forget until you see it again.
NOBODY TALKS ABOUT WRESTLEMANIA 5… Ok, fine, I guess people do because the Mega-somethings exploded – but people don’t discuss the stars of Wrestlemania V. The tag teams. There are two tag matches in the midst of Mania 5.
First Demolition v Powers of Pain and.. ok, fine, it’s a by-the-numbers tag match with the addition of Mr. Fuji, but it is Demolition at their biggest and best – BUT! And I say this with absolutely no sarcasm:
Strike Force v. Brain Busters is an amazing match. It’s forgotten because it is more gimmick with Martel turning coat – but everything up until that moment was on its way to being a real classic. Watch the fluid exchanges between Tito Santana and Arn Anderson and you can see what this match wanted to become. Even after Martel splits, Tito fights back and for a very brief moments you think he might be able to pull it off. Then again…..
So what are your favorite forgotten Mania matches – sound off in all the places!
Look, in the early 80s there were two ways to make a ton of money… the first was a lot of cocaine. The second, which sometimes included the first, was to make something that people who were squinting may think they were watching something Star Wars related.
Enter the checkerpatterned opera that is Space Raiders. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll swear you saw this footage before.
Find out what the hell that means on 1-Star Movie Review: Space Raiders
Ok, here we go Over The Top!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
Been digging into some new TV and video stuffs lately, here’s a taste!
Yellowstone
I honestly started watching this because of all of the ‘shorts’ videos I was seeing from it on Facebook and Instagram. I was not disappointed. The acting is great, and the visuals are stunning. If you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend checking it out.
Wayward Pines
Not sure if it’s the “M. Night” part of it, the Matt Dillon part of it, or the fact that I’m one episode in and just do NOT give a shit about anyone in it or anything that’s happening.. but this one is going to be a rough slog.
Make Some Noise/Game Changer
College Humor is now Dropout (with it’s own subscription channel…) but you can find plenty of episodes/clips on Youtube. It’s improv/game show/hilarity, and I’ve become addicted. Sam Reich is the perfect foil, and watching folks like Brennan Lee Mulligan get psychologically tortured trying to figure out how best to earn points.. well.. you have to see for yourselves.
How about you Somethings? What have YOU been watching lately? Hit us on the socials and let us know!
Watch this space! Major announcement coming in April!
– PCR
The Somethings are back in that elevator.. they have ideas and they want someone to buy!
Take a movie, a not-so-scary movie – and remake it with a horror twist. It’s all the rage, just ask Winnie the Pooh! So who will be judging us and handing out the giant check? None other than friend of the Somethings and host of Horror In The Pit & Talk Life – Fear!
So what will the boys bring to scare a man called Fear… find out, as we turn Non-Horror to Horror on this week’s Elevator Pitch!
Ok, what about a talking head beer and pretzels podcast.. but GHOSTS!!
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I make no apologies for my Steam buying habits. My stepson saw my amount of Steam games and blurted a Holy shit at the number – which at this very moment is a very respectable L33T
“How much money have you spent on video games…”
And where I’m never going to admit to my 15 year old while also trying to hold up the illusion of fiscal responsibility, the fact of the matter is that it isn’t as much as you may think. With very few exceptions I have never spent more than $40 on a game on Steam. The very rare top level title that I’m mega-hyped about like Baldur’s Gate? Sure. But aside from that, I couldn’t find the most recent and my best guess is Saints Row 4 in 2013.
If it’s a top-tier game that I’ve been excited about, I’ll spend $30 on the Game of the Year all DLC edition or a new smaller game I’m excited for. ..but if it’s $10 or below and may be enjoyable? I’ll spend it without question. If it’s a Humble Bundle 10 Games For $20 and I have interest in more than one of them… no brainer.
So let’s look at my last few months of smaller run games.
KING OF THE BRIDGE – You want to get across a bridge, but there’s a troll stopping you. A troll who wants to play chess, but only knows half of the rules and has made up the other half. He won’t tell you those rules until you break them and he’s going to cheat until you learn them. It’s a short game that doesn’t overstay its welcome, and I’ve already told the developer I want a sequel with how fantastic the idea is.
MIMIC LOGIC – The chest to my left is lying. The chest to my right is lying. The two chests above me, one of them is lying. This chest has 0 mimics. This chest has 2 mimics. Ok, now, figure out which one to open and not get eaten. It’s fun, it’s quick, it tickles my logic brain, and it’s easy to pick up and put down except when you get super-frustrated and have to try it one more time.
BALATRO – Out of any of the games on the list, this is probably the one you’ve heard of, A deckbuilder, but with poker hands, but has nothing to do with poker? Unending unlockables for higher and higher tier difficulty layers. Game combinations that come out of nowhere to make you an unstoppable flush machine? It’s brilliant and deserves its press.
20 SMALL MAZES – I believe this one is free, but it’s charming and easy to play and you understand exactly what it’s trying to do. Get through some mazes. Have fun. Smile. The end.
COGMIND – All of the games on this list have come out in the last few months…. except this one. This is a dungeon crawler roguelike that has been worked on for years upon years. You’re a robot building yourself up and learning the history of the world you keep dying in one lesson at a time. It’s a hard as nails rogue with a whole sci-fi dynamic you don’t often see in the genre and it’s a game that ends, not because you got blown up, but because you tried to hack a terminal, and while running from the security you tempt your luck on a newly constructed hallway that collapses in on you when you run out of energy so you have to ram your head against the wall until you die. You know.. basic stuff..
So what are you playing? Sound off in all the places.
A man walks into FBI Headquarters, puts in a meeting request and waits for the guns to be drawn… we are of course talking about the more famous pseudonym of Robert California, none other than Red Reddington in The Blacklist
With the show having just ended last year, we ask ourselves whether the opener still grips you – whether James Spader with his unending smarm charm holds the screen hostage like we always remember he did. Does it hold up? Worth the watch?
Find out as we go down a list of names of those that have wronged us on this week’s The Beginning: The Blacklist
Ok, I remember we would go to this fantastic bistro in Paris, they served a dish that I’ve literally seen a man kill for… here we go!
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Hello Somethings, Big Matt here…
A quick take on auditioning for … anything.
So, I sit here and write this blog in between doing auditions for audio book narrations on ACX. There is something fun in this process, but it’s hard place to get to sometimes. The process is basically this: go to ACX, find a few books that you are a fit for, do a recording (your take on the audition script), edit it and process it, and then upload it. Each audition takes about 15 – 20 minutes or so, editing included, and then you wait.
Some responses come within a couple days, but most just sit there. They sit there, and you sit there… just waiting. I have had auditions sit for months before getting a rejection or acceptance.
The process can seem daunting, depressing, etc, but I try to put a good mental spin on it. I look at each one, each audition, as a chance to get to play in the skin of another character, telling another story, being somewhere else. Each audition is another chance to play, and the chance of getting work off of that play time puts it all in a much better perspective.
So, all in all, it really does seem to be all about how you look at these things. Each audition can be a trial, or a chance to play.
Before we get to the episode, we want welcome to the show for the month of March, Big Matt. He’ll be joining us for an event we like to refer to as March Matt-ness!
Now, what are we talking about during this festive time of year where one brings a Matt into your home and offers him episodes of a podcast? Well we’re starting off with the songs that make movies movie. Is it a song that you can’t connect one without the other? Is it the big hit that was on all the stations that literally says the name of the film in the chorus? Is it written by Bette Midler? You might have a favorite movie theme song.
So join us as we go through our favorites and get very confused about Bryan Adams.
Ok, here we go.. for the glory of love.
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JAAAAACK…. ROOOOOOSE… INEVITABLE HUBRIS OF HUMANITY FOR A CASH-IN SEEEEQUEL!
That’s right. The Titanic is setting sail again, and this time nothing could go wrong! We have technology and hindsight guaranteeing it will be — what? Global warming? Oh, sunuva…
So get below decks and join the Somethings as we journey around the Arctic Circle looking for fun and love in the craziest of places. We’re rich, relatable, and beyond reproach.. everything is gonna be great!
Now let’s light up this cigar and smoke it (something people obviously say all of the time) on 1-Star Movie Review: Titanic 2
Ok, here we go!
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Hey there Somethings! PCR back on his blog ish (as the kids say)
Now, I’m not much into snacks anymore, but when I was, Doritos were my jam. They’ve come a long way since I was a kid, and there are now a ton of flavors… some good.. some, well.. not so much. Now, I haven’t tried them all, but from the ones I have, these are my top 5!
5 – Cool Ranch
The first I remember that wasn’t “Doritos Flavored”. It was different for it’s time, and it’s become ‘classic enough’ that it gets a spot on my list.
4 – Flamin’ Hot Limon
Not gonna lie, I love the combo of spicy and sweet/tart. There’s enough heat here to make them spicy for sure, but not ‘hot for hot’s sake’.. there’s great flavor there too.
3 – Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch
While original Cool Ranch managed to crack my Top 5, the Flamin’ Hot version is on another level. Like Limon but without the tang, the FH versions have a flavor to go with their kick.
2 – Nacho Cheese
The OG. Still a go-to without a doubt. When multiple bags are bought for a party or to stock up, there is at least one of these that comes along.
1 – Spicy Sweet Chili
The top of the heap, the current champion… these are the best of the best. Hot, sweet, spicy, tangy… if they ever got rid of every other flavor and just called these “Doritos”, I would not at all be mad.
What about you Somethings? What are YOUR top flavors? Hit us on the socials and let us know!
-PCR
Another week – another elevator – another big time CEO with a big check – it’s like we’re on a rotating schedule. If only we could go back before….
AND WE CAN! This week, we are pitching movie Prequels – stories before the story – and who is our guest CEO? It’s none other than Gutting The Sacred Cow host, stand-up, and friend of the Somethings, Kevin Gootee
So hop into your podracer, fire up the Prometheus, or learn why Snakes? why did it have to be snakes, and maybe how they got on that mo’fo’in plane!
It’s time for Elevator Pitch: Prequels
Ok, here we pre-go!
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If you weren’t aware, Marvel has dropped their new trailer for X-Men 97′ – a relaunch of the classic Fox Kids cartoon that introduced me to my favorite team of mutants. If you haven’t seen it, take a minute and go watch it, otherwise this makes no sense.
First, I have to give Diz credit – we are obviously moving to the next generation of Marvel Movies with Fantastic Four, Deadpool 3, and an inevitable trip to Graymalkin Lane (that’s where the X-Men live) – and they decided to start this journey with a retro Wolverine or two in Deadpool and a reminder of who the X-Men are at their core. It’s a bold move, Cotton, but it’s going to work. The brilliant thing they did though, is they have made the cartoon look as close to the old animation as they could. In a world of high def television with high refresh rates.. they went out of their way to make a show where you can count the frames. It’s an inspired choice to make old assholes like me feel like a kid again.
I could tell, just from the few shots, that they’re going to do a few specific stories. (At the very least, The Trial of Magneto) But – and this is what is going to make me run to the tv.. as they have proven with WHAT IF… there is a chance that this show is going to tie to the greater Marvel U somehow. Maybe it will have a multiverse clash with X-Men: Evolution. Maybe in the last episode the Time Agents will appear and shut the whole thing down. I don’t know – but for the first time in the last few years of Marvel, I am excited to find out.
Did you check out the trailer, sound off in all the places!
Not all shows are created equal. Some shows are brilliant and stay that way throughout. Others go out into the woods to become lumberjacks.
This week we are taking it to the dark passenger and his damp serial killer, Dexter Morgan. When it all began, was it good? Does it hold up? What did we notice this time that we never noticed before? Lastly, is it worth going back to?
So follow the Somethings down to Miami as we talk The Beginning: Dexter
Ok, here we go!
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My favorite news headline of the last few years came out this past week:
Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks
Now, depending where you read, there have been some retractions as to whether this actually occurred, but all signs point to ‘yes, it did.’
How? I’ll keep it simple. An object given ‘smart’ capabilities by a company that doesn’t really do tech is likely to not make sure their smart object is future proofed. They aren’t network security experts… they make toothbrushes. The idea of having a toothbrush that bluetooth spreadsheet internet something er another sounds like a great selling point when your bestseller is a molded piece of plastic and some bristles. So, programmers from five years ago built a program on platforms from five years ago with the security knowledge of five years ago… but five years went by and some security hole was found. Do you think your smart toothbrush is getting new firmware? Probably not.
And this headline is just the beginning. As we allow more and more pointless crap to connect to our wifi, we are adding more and more points of weakness to our home’s security. With a little knowhow it can be secured, but not everyone has a little knowhow.. all they know is they have a remote control ball they can bounce around their house from an app on their phone to fuck with their cat, or that their fridge texts them when the ice tray is frozen. They aren’t aware that their data can be piggybacked or a port can be left open or a password reset can be faked.
So please, look at this headline and laugh… because it’s truly f’n funny, but, please, for the love of dot, when your wifi smart toilet that posts a gif every time you shit using an AI algorithm so that the image relates to the consistency of your movement, just make sure you have a firewall configured.
What smart objects are taking over your household? Sound off in all the places.
Comedy Central wasn’t the first people to do roasts.. the celebrity roast is a time honored tradition that goes back to a time when there were only four celebrities, so they each took turns making fun of each other.
Well, nowadays, everyone is a celebrity and we can make fun of them forever. So join the Somethings as we look back at some of the best single lines from roasts. From the roasters and toasters to the utterly burned – we’re talking our favorite Celebrity Roast Lines.
Ok, here we go, a family walks into a talent agency and says ‘Have I got an act for you…’
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Hey Somethings, Podcast Rob here…There’s been a disturbing trend as of late of physical media. Going away. From retailers no longer carrying DVDs, to the video game industry openly embracing cloud gaming and downloadable games, it seems like the days of physically owning your gaming and movie content are going by the wayside. Personally, I’ve never been a quote” collector… Sure. I’ve owned DVDs, but never with the intent. Purpose of collecting them. As far as gaming goes, whenever I had my consoles, I never had more than two to three games per console… Mostly due to cost…. And now that I’m a PC gamer, all of my games are downloadable. Anyway, either steam or epic games or Xbox Game pass.That said, it’s fairly disturbing to hear. Video game companies say that gamers are going to have to get used to buying games but not really owning them. When a company can just turn off access to a game that you’ve paid 50, 60, $70 or more for, that just sounds unconscionable. I can understand paying a monthly fee to Netflix or Max or Paramount Plus and one month the streaming service says well. We’re no longer carrying this movie. But for a company to say this thing that you have explicitly bought access to you no longer have access to just seems like theft.The future going forward does indeed seem to be cloud gaming. It’s not like the profit margins on physical games weren’t already astronomical, but now to not only be able to make more profit but control, and more importantly, turn off access to seems like a very bad faith slope for game companies to go down.Now, to play devil’s advocate, how much will gamers really be hurt by it? How many games can be played strictly and exclusively offline without any sort of internet connection or cloud-based connection that needed? When a game developer shuts down game servers, it doesn’t matter if I own the physical copy of the game. If I can’t connect to the game servers anymore then that game is useless. No?Is it something to seriously be concerned about? Is it one more nail in the coffin of the relationship between game developers and game players? Is it all just manufactured outrage? I suppose the future will hold the answer.What do you think? Hit us up on our socials and let us know!– PCR
For the first time in 2024 we have a 5 week month – and we’re taking another thing we did and putting it here so we don’t do it that much because we do one of those things a lot more. Make sense? You don’t care, it’s fine.
So we have The Wheel out of mothballs and that means we are spinning it to a topic which leads us to the wacky world of Marvel Mutants. The X-Movies are coming, so who could play the first class of DizMar Mutants? Well we’ll lay out our teams and you can go to all of our social media and tell us which one is right.
So join me, my X-Men as we go to the 5th Wheel: Dreamcasting X-Men
Ok, here we BESERKER BARRAGE,
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Oh it’s Royal Rumble time – and I don’t wax poetic about wrestling a lot on here. Hell, I don’t even watch a lot of wrestling anymore. I do, though, keep up with the goings on of the men who fight in underwear for the right to wear a belt.
This weekend is the best event of the year – the Royal Rumble. 30 people go in the ring and at the end one person stands tall and goes to Wrestlemania to fight one of the champs. So let’s break down the expectations vs. who I want.
The Men’s Rumble
FAVORITES: The favorites of the Rumble are CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, two men who, not long ago, were in a different company. I give WWE all the credit in the world for accepting that these two guys have remade their names elsewhere and – as any big monolith does – swept in with big money to use them before their heat is down.
Cody – The problem I have with Cody winning is that I honestly just don’t like him. I think he comes across as smug and ‘I know I’m amazing’ and it bugs me.
Punk – My problem with Punk is that I loathe big name people coming in and sweeping the spots away from the performers that have been sweating in that ring for the last few years. How long has Chad Gable been in WWE? Damien Priest? Finn Balor? They get to constantly wait in a line that never gets any shorter as old guard shows back up.
WHO I WANT: There is one man that has been the VIP of wrestling for the last couple of years. His presentation, his style, his intensity, and even his promo work. That man is Gunther. He has earned his spot at the top of the pile.. and you can say ‘His time is coming’ – I say, no. His time should be now.
The Women’s Rumble
FAVORITES: There is a lot of wiggle room for some surprise in the Women’s Rumble, as there are mainstay favorites and very little chance that someone is going to come out of nowhere. The Bellas are gone and Charlotte is injured. There is one name that could swoop in..
Jade Cargill – She’s been waiting in the wings for her moment to shine, and there is every chance in the world she will be the surprise #30 to introduce her to the WWE world. I don’t want her for the exact same reasons I don’t want Punk. She just got there…
Becky Lynch – I love Becky, but she has won it already. She can make her way to Wrestlemania and pick her opponent without a problem. There is a bigger set of fireworks for her at the end, but the fact is she is going to be in the title picture no matter what, so why not tell a different story.
WHO I WANT: Fact is, the person I want is in the top considerations. Bayley. She has dealt through injury, the Rhonda years, and has simply been the workhorse of the women’s division. In one swoop you can give one of the Four Horsewomen their flowers, turn her face again, and say thank you to a woman who loves wrestling more than most.
So that’s it. Who’s your pick? Let us know in all the places.
A scattered group of people all feel a pull to go to one place. They travel by car, plane, sneaker, and bicycle like some sort of dystopian It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World all to reveal what has happened to a world on the brink of devastation.
Do not miss the Amy Dolenz vehicle, and our review of: 1-Star Movie Review: 2012 Doomsday
Now, are you the type of person that wants to see the movie after knowing how amazing it is? Well if you would like… here you go.
Ready? Ok, here we g… where did we go?
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
This past Tuesday, we dropped an episode of “In the Beginning” talking about the pilot episode of Fringe (here if you haven’t listened yet…), and, one of the things we ask ourselves is.. does the pilot do enough to make you want to watch more?
Well, I’m 2 episodes into Season 3 so far and, I’m glad I continued.
While it felt a bit odd that they dropped some story angles (The Pattern) and some characters seem to had some minor look and personality tweaks from S1 to S2 (Peter…), I’m enjoying the journey this show is taking.
One constant I can speak on, who.. for my money.. has become THE glue to this show and absolutely chews up EVERY scene they’re in, is John Noble as Walter Bishop (and Walternate in some seasons). The depth of emotion he can portray is absolutely astounding… and the fact he gets to show another facet when he plays Walternate speaks even more volumes to his skill. Again, I’ve just started S3 and he is legitimately the best actor on this entire show, and it’s not even close. That’s not to say the other actors are slouches, but Noble is such a jump above the others it’s palpable.
I’m looking forward to seeing where the show goes from here, but I’m glad we got this fan suggestion to do Fringe on “In The Beginning” because otherwise I likely never would have started it.
– PCR
In a post-Lost world, a lot of television shows came through the lens flaired hands of J.J. Abrams on his journey to screwing up Star Trek and leaving the bones of Star Wars to bleach in the pretty, yet confusing red sand. Fringe may be the show he is lauded for the least, but is that the way it should be?
A mix between X-Files and a procedural, Fringe gave us 5 seasons… but how did it begin?
Join us as we follow the wacky antics of crazypants science that is The Beginning: Fringe
Ok, Stranger, here we go!
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Happy New Year Somethings, it’s Hatton!
What is your go to television type? Do you cuddle up with horror? Dive into police procedurals? Well, my wife and I, when they are available, will watch anything possible about cults… because watching people dedicate their time, money, and sometimes lives to a guy who says he’s figured it all out sounds like an interesting case study in ‘OMG WHAAAA’ which is a legitimate science. So here are a few of the recent ones we’ve picked up that you can dive into if you are looking for a 101 on how to make money and influence nations.
THE VOW & SEDUCED – First, let’s talk NXIVM. Both The Vow and Seduced are interesting looks into a multi-tier marketing wannabe cult that ends in a man having a legion of branded slaves he has blackmail over. Both of these two together give you a real bite into how people fell into it, what they were doing, and why they were doing it. From baiting influencers and selling them snake oil to building a labyrinth the followers can’t find their way out of.. it is the template of what a modern internet culture cult is going to look like.
THE CULT OF MOTHERGOD – If you think of cults as things that are either dangerous (NXIVM, Scientology, Cutco) or less-dangerous (Peloton users, Rennies) – The Cult of Mothergod sits on the side of less dangerous, but still strange. A bunch of hippies get together, smoke, and build a business around homeopathic garbage while worshipping a woman who babbles about her astral alien journeys and Robin Williams. It is a tale that gets weirder and weirder as it goes, as you watch a strange entitled woman slowly turn blue. I can’t recommend this higher.
BORN IN SYNANON – I was surprised to hear that there was a cult from the ‘era of cults and serial killers’ of the 70s and 80s that I had missed. Synanon started as a rehab facility and turned itself into a self-appointed city of people trying to make the world a better place. I mean, that was the original intention. No other doc that I’ve seen shows a collective of people who still believe in the ideals of what started and why it all fell down better than this story.
ESCAPING TWIN FLAMES – Lastly these bunch of assholes. Sometimes, when you are watching cult docs, you understand how people got there. Charisma, charm, and a better life are almost always the way. Twin Flames did it with dating… literally cultifying ‘Plenty of Fish’ and not caring one ounce as to what that may do to their impressionable clientele. Multi-tier marketing is back in this one, but now it is about training people how to love and how to connect with their soul mate, whether or not that person wants to be involved. The doc is good, but you will loathe the people involved.
So what cults are you involved in.. statistically one of you is. Sound off in all our places!
It’s time again for the Somethings to head to Big Money Tower – what are we pitching this time? THEME RESTAURANTS.. and no, we don’t mean we’re going to put local sports teams on the wall and random bric-a-brac we found at the thrift. We’re going all out with full immersion experiences looking for that big check.
And who is providing the big check this week? Well, none other than two of our favorite people, of Pre-Recorded Live, it’s Matt & Becky!
If you are in the Ohio area, you should check out Mysteries Ink where the pair are part of a murder… most… foul.
Before that though, settle in as we wine and dine these two and see which one of us wins Elevator Pitch: Theme Restaurant
Ok, here w- wait are we splitting the check?
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Hey Somethings!
New Year, New Us, Same Blog!
We have some things in the works that we’re excited for coming in March, and we hope you end up excited for it too!
So, over the holidays, thanks to Steam’s sale (=shakes fist at clouds=), I ended up buying Hogwarts Legacy because… well.. I had wanted to try it when it came out, but the price was a huge turn of for me (to say nothing of the personality issues and social beliefs of Ms. R…) but the pricing on the sale made me ok with my decision (in both regards) and I was eager to dip into it.
First thing I noticed is the game is… not… overly stunning graphics-wise. Now my rig has a 3060 and 32g of ram.. not bleeding edge, but still a strong system. It looked… “ok”. Even on Ultra settings, the game looked “ok”… it SURE didn’t look like one would assume a game on Ultra would look. After doing some digging, I found many online who agreed that “Medium” and “Ultra” were not huge differences… in some cased no different… in the appearance of the game. I ended up finding one link that suggested a mish-mosh of “High-Low-Ultra-Medium-off-off-on…” settings that, made the game look as best as it was going to. Ok.. settings handled, off to Hogwarts!
The gameplay is… ok. The spells you learn are varied and visually pretty cool, and the school and surrounding areas are well designed.
Pros : You get to ROAM AROUND HOGWARTS! HOGSMEADE! QUIDDI..well.. no. No Quidditch. The pitch is there, and you can fly around it on your broom, but you can’t play. More on that. The accuracy and care given to the design of the school and Hogsmeade is impressive and… for those who’ve read the books and seen the movies.. dare I say ‘comforting’. I feel most of the movies were a great visual representation of the books descriptions, and now with the game, being in control of WHERE you go and roam around… it felt…good. As far as gear goes, you can make your character look regal, understated, or outright SILLY, and I like that. Tailored and smart? Sure. Want to look like Snape dressed as a grandma coming out of a boggart closet? You can do that too.
Cons : You get to roam around Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and.. so much of it feels like fan service. Can you go in Honeydukes? Sure! And… look around.. and.. activate a few things. Now, some places have quests or are shops to buy certain things needed down the road, but even then, interaction feels stifled. Quidditch? The pitch is there, but the game tells you right from the beginning that there’s no Quidditch season ‘this year’…. apparently a different company is working on a stand alone Quidditch game, so the rights weren’t available. The other thing that was an… odd choice for me… the game takes place 100 years before ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’, but some of the choices felt STRICTLY made for fan service. The two co-headmasters are related to characters in the movies.. yet.. why did the movies/books never say anything? Yes, I know the movies/books came first.. but they created such a rich world to pull from.. would Ron and the other Weasleys be treated the way they were if it was ‘known’ that Ron’s Great-Great-Grandmother was a Co-Headmaster of the school? There are a lot of choices that make you go “Hey! That’s neat! …waitaminute…”
The combat also feels, while interesting with spell combos.. repetitive. I’m hoping as I get deeper into the game, that feel will change.
Overall, it’s an ok game. If you’ve been looking for the opportunity to get into it, definitely get it on sale IMO. Capture the warm and fuzzies of the fan service and hopefully that will keep you warm enough during the Meh of the game.
What did YOU think? Let us know in our socials!
– PCR
We’re back!
It’s been a bit since we had a new episode for you – besides the special PAX episodes… and the Christmas Party… ok, look, even when we take a break we’re on break with mics in our hand. That said, we have returned to our regularly scheduled Something with our mostly yearly round-up of some of the stories that took the year by storm – and by storm, I mean confused your Gramma on Facebook.
Which ones are real? Which ones are fake? Which ones are a secret mindcrime built by the establishment to stop the 5g chips in your teeth?
Find out on our Snopes 2023 Roundup!
Ok, here we go? VERIFIED
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Ending the year with our favorite episode – it was a unanimous decision. Both Rob and James get together and invent their own new television show.. where the prizes are weird and the reasons are stupid.
It is hands down our favorite from the year, so we’ll see you next week with something new – but until then, enjoy and Happy New Year!
Original Post:
The Wheel is back, and it’s got a job to do…
Ok, it doesn’t, that would be weird, it’s a Wheel. It has a job, and it does it well. We spin it, and it gives us the week’s topic. The topic though, well that’s a different job entirely. You see, if you have watched any television in the last twenty years, you have seen, at some point, a show about bakers or flower arrangers or glass blowers or taxis. Doing your boring-ass day job probably has its own channel on Pluto, so what happens when the Somethings get to make their own?
It’s a brand new episode of The Wheel – Elevator Pitch
Ok, here we g…..are you ready to face 5 other chat format podcasts on… PodWars!
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What’s the best thing about the holiday season? Is it snow? Well I hope you’re having a White Christmas and settle in as we discuss the delicious white gold of a bear going nuts on narcotics.
Merry Blowmas…
Original Post
Every now and then, a movie comes out that’s “Based On Actual Events”. “The Courier” comes to mind, as does “Eight Men Out” and “Schindler’s List”. Well, now that list of movies must share the stage with the tale of a 500 lb bear that goes on a coke bender. This week, Hatton and Podcast Rob head to Georgia to take on “Cocaine Bear” in this episode of “Something In Review”!
Ok, here we blow!
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WHAT’S THIS! A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE!
By Tiny Tim’s Little Crutches, it’s a Christmas Miracle!
It’s also what we do every year, but that doesn’t matter, it’s NEW SOMETHING STUFF…
So who is joining us in for our giant glass of Nog and talking Christmas fun? Why it is the collection of wonderful personage we’ve become friends with on our podcasting journey from ACPNET.NET. John, Jason, and Matt are all hanging with us and bringing the Christmas Something along with them.
One note – I do apologize for my audio, as with all multi-guest episodes, audio mixing sometimes becomes a bit of an unkillable monster.
That said – Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you.
Ok, here we Ho Ho Hooooo…
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Back with another Best of – we brought in Something Bestie, Tim ‘Ungajje’ Stevens, to discuss some of the moments in cinema that make you stand up and clap.
It’s a great one, enjoy…
Original post:
What is a ‘pop’?
In professional wrestling terms, it’s the moment the crowd goes nuts. Maybe they’re cheering – maybe they’re booing, but there is a moment in a movie where the audience is so emotionally invested they can’t help but be there.
We’re talking about those moments.. but not alone! We are joined by long time SomethingFriend, Tim Stevens. You may know Tim from his time writing for any number of fantastic websites about the world of comics and pop culture. These days you can find him on TheSpool.net as well as The Wealth of Geeks. He’s also one bad shut yo mouth.
You ready to laugh? Ready to cheer? Ready to catch the ball to win the big game? Prepared to listen to a podcast you can’t help, but scream at?
Ok, here we OOOOoooh!
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Music fills our lives.. sadly, not all of it was created equal. The Somethings are heading into the deep end of the pool of ‘things we dislike’ as our next Best Of is Bottom 5: Songs…
Original Post:
Mmmm Bop, crappy songs ahh doo wop, a-zig-a-zig-ahhhh
We’ve done tons of favorite things. You guys are sick of the things we like, so how about the Wheel give us a little bit of loathing, huh? Shooting the big guns on our Bottom 5 songs. And let me tell you, we could do another 5.. easy.
Join us on The Wheel: Bottom 5.
Ok, here we eww….
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Ach! The Somethings have done their share of voices.. well, so have actors, and in some cases, we would prefer to listen to our own. Enjoy the Somethings mocking bad movie accents in this weeks best of!
Enjoy!
Original Post:
SAY E’LLO TO OUR LIT’LE PODCAST!
And unlike the picture perfect Pacino accent that previous sentence was written in, sometimes a movie can pull you right out when someone’s accent doesn’t exactly match their character. Are they an American with a Brit twang? Are they Southern and sound like they came straight from the Civil War? Are they a Spaniard and yet somehow sound precisely like they don’t give a damn about any of the movies in this franchise?
Well, we’re about to take them to task.
Did you read that with a perfect patois? You should, as you join us on Worst Accents in Movies
O’ah kay, here we go, an’ nobody gets our lucky charms!
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Surprise number two! The Somethings went to PAX: UNPLUGGED and put on their best nerd swag and rolled dice for two days. Well, along the way, we got a chance to do some interviews too!
As promised, here are our interviews with Vaikin Kansepts, Meredith Placko, and Gamey – and we thank them tremendously for the time they gave us in a place where every person is vying for their time.
One note – we are live in a convention hall, so the audio quality does dip at places. We’ve done our best to adjust accordingly, but we will keep that in mind for where ever our next adventure takes us, and we appreciate your understanding.
With that said – Happy Holidays Somethings, please settle in and enjoy PAX:Unplugged – The Interviews!
- Vaikin Kansepts
- Steve Jackson Games
- Turbo Dork
- Gamey
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Not every movie is made equal, and some are made mighty unequal by the replacement of a key character.. we sat with friend Cthulu’s Prodigy and discussed.
Enjoy!
Original Post:
It has to be hard to make a sequel to a movie. Aside from trying to recapture the magic of the first one, you have to get this legion of performers to come back and find a perfect time where they aren’t working on other things… or, you know, you could just ditch em.
Actors are replaced in movies for a myriad of reasons, some tragic, some hysterical – so settle in as we discuss some of our favorite and least favorite replacements in film. We’re not going alone though – we are thrilled to have Cthulu’s Prodigy from Blacker Than Black Times Infinity to talk the movie talk with us. Make sure to give them a listen and tell em the Somethings sent ya.
Ok, here we .. ok, well not ‘we’ since we had to replace both hosts .. go!
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Oh, the Somethings actually went somewhere.. that’s right, they made their triumphant return to PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia – why?
Because we’re a bunch of board game nerds, we take December off so we didn’t have to record anything. And yet, live in our hotel room, we did record something. Our tale of lines and games, interviews and fun, games and friends live from the convention center a few miles away from the home of Rocky Balboa.
So enjoy one of a couple surprises that are coming in the next few weeks – and please don’t mind the audio quality – as the Somethings hang out together, exhausted from walking miles through the board game haven that was PAX: Unplugged
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Vaikin Kansepts
- Jason Anarchy Games
- Steve Jackson Games
- Turbo Dork
- Gamey
Games Mentioned:
- Captain Sonar
- Unboxed
- Powergrid
- Furnace
- Fugitive
- Ray Racers
- Damn the Man!
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It’s Podcast Rob’s turn with a Best of, and this is the first (but not the last) visit to the Wheel. Isn’t it weird that we get the best content out of when we really dislike something?
See you next time!
Original Post:
Look, you can’t like everyone. It’s just impossible. I’m sure there’s at least one person out there in the universe that throws darts at a picture of me. Hell, some see it as a sign of a life lived well. Now, that said, when it comes to movies and television, some actors just aren’t our thing, either.
So join us as The Wheel goes out of its way to make Rob and I be assured we will never get those cushy Hollywood jobs we have been vying for all these years.
Find out which actors we just aren’t about on The Wheel’s Bottom 5: Actors
Ok here we ewww,
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As is tradition, the Somethings are taking December off. That does not mean you aren’t getting Something Eps.. in fact, you are getting twice the amount of Something as we go through and list off our favorite episodes of the year on Mondays and Fridays.
So settle in as we dive into some of the good times we had, and make sure you stick around for some surprises along the way.
Happy Holidays!
Original Post:
We did it. We hit 10 Years.
A decade of Movies. Listicles. Bad impressions. Mysteries. Special Guests.
And yet somehow, in all of that, we’ve never talked directly about Science Fiction movies… like… what? How is that? It’s weird, isn’t it? Like it feels like a big miss. We looked through the episodes and – nope – no sci-fi. So we did it. Seemed like a great way to celebrate ten years.
This episode is broken down a little different. Mostly because I included the Patreon stuff to let you all know that we are, for now, closing down the Patreon. We thank those that joined in on it, but to put our energies into other things, some of which you’ll hear during the show, we needed to trim somewhere. Please note – if you are Patreon Member, your payment was cancelled for July, but we wanted to make sure you got to hear the ‘full unedit’ cut of the episode.
So, thank you all for being with us for these last ten years, and lets start the next 10 right.
Ready? Well ok, here we go… to SPACE!
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Tis the season! And, by season, we obviously mean tornado season.. what other season could I have meant?! You see due to global warming, there is a chance we are looking at out-of-nowhere tornadoes that can just hit the ground and send us packing.
So join us on this whirlwind of a holiday season and visit the harrowing journey of one family as a half dozen or so tornadoes seem to follow them where ever they go. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it better than bad, it’s good? Don’t forget, you can watch this masterpiece first – here!
Find out with 1-Star Movie: Christmas Twister
Before the episode though – just want to remind you all that we are heading in to our usual December Vacation – so get ready for twice as much Somethings with the Best of 2023!
But first – Ok here we blow!
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Hey Somethings! PCR here…
Now that we’ve made it through “The Day of Gorging” and are now into “The Day of Madness”, a few reminders for those out braving the Black Friday deals and such at your local stores…
- Retail employees and Servers do NOT set the prices.
- Retail employees and Servers do NOT control inventory levels.
- Retail employees and Servers can NOT control how quickly others before you do or do not interact with things.
- Retail employees and Servers would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to treat you how you treat them.. especially if you’re treating them like shit… but they can’t. YOU have that choice to be kind or not.
- Most (if not all) Retail employees and Servers absolutely loath today, basically because of the types of people they’re afraid they’ll encounter. Don’t be one of those people.
Regardless of where you are… your electronics or hobby store, the drive-thru of Jack-In-The-Box, a home improvement store, a swank sit-down restaurant… remember, the people taking care of you are just that.. PEOPLE… and they deserve respect and compassion. Don’t be the asshole they tell stories about in the breakroom.
– PCR
One of the great things about doing In The Beginning is that we get a chance to look at some stuff that was super popular, but doesn’t really reach the lofty goals of a multiple season blah blah.. so we can even take on the classics of the 80s – the TV Miniseries.
So why don’t we start that idea with one of the biggest and most well known in a little story about the aliens landing and being totally friendly and not at all problematic lizard monsters. …No.. seriously…
Anyway, does it stand the test of time? Is it good? Is it the reason miniseries aren’t around anymore?
Find out on The Beginning – V.
Ok, here V go!
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First off, I’d like to thank this past week”s guest Ty for, after my last blog post about Idle Games coming out, he sent me Idle Gears because he is a smartass.. then he and I discussed strategizing it for the next two days.
He’s a monster. Thanks, buddy.
Anyway, there is another kind of game that is close to the idle genre, but is less idle and more.. frustrating? nerdy? Made for people with Engineering degrees? But, don’t get me wrong, they are still, in some ways, idle games.
I’m talking about a genre that is loosely referred to as factory automation games.
Have you never played them – then the fact is – you probably don’t want to, because the people that do want these games, have likely already found them. They’re sort of like Narnia that way. But just in case you have lived under a rock and really like the idea of building a machine that builds a machine that builds the gear the helps you build the new machine… here, you’re welcome:
FACTORIO – So, I’m putting this one here first because it isn’t the first of the genre, but it most definitely is the one that everyone thinks of. It’s a simple premise – build a rocket. Obviously, easy peasy. Especially when you start on an alien planet with a pick-axe and that’s it. So yeah, you mine some coal and some iron to make a furnace and make a gear and use gears to make a lab, and a lab to make some science and some science to build an entire planet covered in giant conveyor belts of machinery that are building buildings to build buildings.
SATISFACTORY – Now, it is easy to say that Satisfactory is just 3D first person Factorio.. but it isn’t. Well, it is a little, but not entirely – you see, the world you are in Satisfactory is not a randomly generated world. It’s the same world. Start a new game with the basic settings, start in the same place. That’s because this world is a huge country with different lush biomes and vibrant wildlife and greenery, and you get to slowly but surely pave over it and fill it with billowing smokestacks, giant conveyor systems, and gigantic power supplies. It’s this brilliant and hysterical eco-message in an amazing world.
AUTONAUTS – Autonauts may be my favorite on this list, and it is because it does something so simply different with its premise. Yes, building things that build things – but – they are all robots and you get to program them in a fairly basic way. After building a robot, you walk around and do something – and then it repeats it. Want this bot to grab logs and bring them over there.. fine. Want this bot to take logs from there and turn them into gears? Sure. And eventually, as you upgrade your bots (or you have your bots upgrade your bots) you are running this artistically-simple, but chaotic mess that likely looks like the world 5 minutes before the beginning of the war in Terminator.
SHAPEZ – This game gets a quicker honorable mention because it is legitimately the simplest of the batch. You build a shape and conveyor belt it in to a base. Now you need a new shape, build a machine that screws up your old shape and turns it into a new shape.. now it needs to be blue.. ..and split in half.. ..and broken into separate quarters that are each on top of another shape and painted 4 different colors.. this goes on. Definitely worth a check out though and the sequel is on its way.
Lastly….
GREGTECH: NEW HORIZONS – This may be the one that you aren’t aware of – the one that slipped through the cracks.. and there’s a reason. It’s not a game, but a mod on the blocky masterpiece of Minecraft. Now, in Minecraft there is some automation you can build – and it can get intricate, but it isn’t the purpose of the game. (Unless its your purpose, but that’s a different thing) GT:NH as it is referred, is a mod pack that makes every single step of the game a bit of a hassle, but not an unsatisfying one. Where before you found some coal and mined it and made a torch.. well, your first few days in this highly dangerous world you will spend with one torch as you learn how to build basic tools, and figure out how to build a giant coke oven to collapse wood into charcoal. It’s brutal, and it goes like that as you grow from steam power to electrical power to planetary hopping and dimensions. I hate it…. I’m lying… I love it..
What factories do you build – sound off in all the places.
What was your toy? Did you play with M.U.S.C.L.E.S or Stretch Armstrong? Were you a Lite-Brite kid or maybe you had a slinky but you straightened it. Whatever your particular pet rock was, there is some toy that you remember from your childhood that is no longer with us. Maybe because it just wasn’t that interesting or maybe because it was horrendously dangerous.
Well, the Somethings are back in the elevator and we’re going to bring back a toy from our childhood, and the special guest CEO is one of the hosts of High Anxiety on Youtube, Ty Jero! So please, pay respect to our toy maestro and check out his team’s reviews of toys and collectables.
But for now – which one of us will get the pile of money?
Find out on Elevator Pitch: Discontinued Toys
Ok here we go go Power Rangers!
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Hey Somethings,
Now, as has been said multiple times during our show, Hatton and I are from two different age groups. When I was a kid (and teen, and young adult), most TV seasons were about 22 episodes long. They ran Sept. to May, and maybe took a break towards the end of the year. Summer would come and go, and in Sept. a new season would drop.
In the 2007 Writer’s Strike, it jumbled things up and seasons were delayed, but even then (and using our “favorite” show as an example) LOST Season 5 was down to 14 episodes (4 was too, but.. again…Writer’s Strike).
Now, we have shows streaming on services that a “season” is 6 episodes?
Using “Loki” as an example, Season 1 started June 9th, 2021, and Season 2 JUST dropped in Oct. of 2023. Stranger Things has done similar with a THREE YEAR gap between Seasons 3 and 4, and another 3 year gap between 4 and 5 (granted… again… there was a Writer’s Strike and, at the time of this writing, still a SAG-AFTRA strike) and.. my question becomes… when do we stop caring?
As much as I was looking forward to a S2 of Loki, I didn’t jump on it when it came out. I only recently caught up because I’m curious how they’re handling Kang since Marvel “may” (random reports) end up ‘phasing out’ Kang as the new Big Bad and replace him with Dr. Doom if Majors’ legal trouble increases more. I just didn’t have the hype to get back into it after waiting so long. The same went for S4 of Stranger Things. Will I watch Season 5 when it comes out? Eventually sure, if only to see how they wrap up the story, but it is unlikely I’ll be sitting in front of my TV with remote in hand just WAITING for it to drop.
Which begs the question Somethings… how long of a wait between seasons would make YOU not care nearly as much anymore?
Hit us in the socials and let us know!
-PCR
You’ve done it. You find something you enjoy on Monday, you blink, and it’s August. Maybe it’s a show.. maybe it’s a website.. maybe it’s learning how to translate Etruscan. The fact is, we have all fallen down our share of rabbit holes that suck our life away for good or for ill.
This week, Hatton and Rob will be talking some of the entertaining things they have found themselves fighting to avoid the gravitational pull of. Some of these things only last a day or two… some, a life time. Please let us know if we’re your rabbit hole. It’s ok… we won’t tell… on Rabbit Holes
Ok, here we fall!
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Do you play idle games? Well.. first, let me explain what an idle game is if you don’t – it’s arguably one of the dumbest genres of gaming ever, and yet somehow I have a problem with them.
The premise of most of them is that you are trying to do some big task, get to a big number, build the largest mountain, make a cookie factory.. it doesn’t matter. As long as its the biggest one ever.
So click on the cookie, you get 1 bite. Click again. 2 bites. Eventually it offers you, in exchange for 10 bites, one auto-biter that gives you a bite every second.. then a second one, third, and then you get a cookie biter biter that makes cookie biters at a rate of one per one second. This goes on until you have exponentially built things that are building things.
The tagline of idle games are, ‘Numbers go up.’ — sometimes you hit a hard wall where unless you let the game idle for decades, your progres is capped. It’s at that time you PRESTIGE, a system where you start at the beginning again, but all your cookie bite are x2, or there’s now a fighting game that helps eat cookies or.. look, it gets esoteric. You can have a room of magic alchemy that’s brewing golden chocolate chips that when he makes them it makes your 3rd tier cookie biter biter factory give you GOLD bites that accrue separately and you can then transmute them into LEAD bites and every 100 LEAD bites your Cookie Warrior ascends to Cookie Godhood.
DO YOU GET IT. THEY’RE WEIRD.
And I will load one or go to a site with one, play it until I find myself obsessively checking on my numbers and updates and micro-adjustments until – after 10 or so hours.. I go ‘NO. NOT AGAIN’ and uninstall it.
I play them the same way I play Souls games – until I get so angry I have to delete it, lest I descend into a deeper self-pitying rage. You start the game, an hour later, three days has passed and it isn’t like you have much to show for it. In a Souls game, you what? Killed one boss and are now being killed by a different one? In an idle, you are no longer buying Cookie Machines you are buying gears for the machine that makes the Cookie Machine grow. In both cases, they are probably right next to each other.
So please, do yourself a favor, don’t do it. Don’t Cookie Clicker. Don’t Adventure Capitalist. Don’t.
Unless its Paperclips. That game rules.
I warned you.
With the last Tuesday, a spooky 5th Tuesday, we interrupt our normal ‘Whatever the hell we do on the extra week’ and replace it with a NEW thing we do on the extra week, but we replace THAT with something that’s much more Halloweeny since this also is that day so really it’s sort of just an In Review week, but under a different name, but … ARE YOU SCARED?!
So let’s go to a small boardwalk town where kids are kids and they are thirsty … for blood….. and Chinese Food!
That’s right, we’re discussing your goth ex-girlfriend’s favorite movie, Lost Boys. Does it stand the test of time or is it just a Frog in Vamp clothing.
Find out on The Fifth Wheel – Not Really – In Review – Sorta – Halloweeny Lost Boys!
Ok, we’re confused!
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Hey All, Podcast Rob here…
Allow me a moment to shake my fist at the sky…
Was coming home from work the other day, and decided to hop in one of my local drive-thrus to grab something to eat for dinner. Amazingly, there was no line, nor was there anyone behind me.
My order wasn’t anything overly large, nor was it custom or special. Regular order, right off the menu, not even a combo meal.
I pull up to the window where I wait for a few because the cashier is texting on their phone. They open the window, take my money, and then say “Pull in to spot #3”
“umm… why?”
“We’re going to bring your food out to you so we can clear the window”
“There’s… literally no one behind me…”
“Oh I know, but it resets our timer”
My brain, understanding….
“Ohhh.. so, it shows your boss and your company that you’re doing a good job”
They nod, “basically”
Me, smiling… “then you should do a good job. I’m good here thanks”
I then notice them glare, walk over to where there is a bag of food at.. Ill call it their ‘pick up table’ that has been SITTING THERE SINCE I PULLED UP TO THE WINDOW.. they grab it, walk back over, and shove the bag out the window at me.
Look, I get it, I hate being micromanaged too… but holy FUCK is this a peeve of mine, and it happens everywhere, and honestly, it annoys the hell out of me.
I understand people want to game a system they don’t believe is ‘fair’. Hell, I used to work retail where we had to call customers who gave us their information regarding a special order product we carried. We kept them in a lead book. We had to make 80 calls a week. Our book never had more than 18 names. Management’s solution? Call the customer, let it ring half a ring then immediately hang up and note “no answer”, and do that 3-4 days a week to the same customers just so we could fill out our log book. No mention to the higher-ups about how 80 was unreasonable. None of our stores had anywhere CLOSE to 80 leads a week, at any time. Ever. So yeah, I can see how, with deaf ears from above, you have to do what you can.
However….
There is one drive-thru place near where I live.. doesn’t matter if there’s no line, or a 10 car line… how small or big your order is… you pull up to the window, they’re handing you your food. It would be different if “it’s impossible for places to get orders to the window in 4 minutes!” were true.. but it’s not… so, while you’re gaming the system to your boss, you look like a shitass to everyone else…
Just me? Hit us in the socials and let us know!
-PCR
We promised October was shake-it-up month for the Somethings, and Hatton couldn’t be happier to reveal our new format type. You see, Hatton loves a good piece of garbage movie.. PCR doesn’t hate them, but he certainly likes them less. So we get the perfect Odd Couple moment as the Somethings dig their teeth into the bitter pill that is the budget movie experience.
So settle in as we start with a found footage alien film, brought to you by Asylum, and filmed on what is probably a bricked iPhone 3. Alien Origins is the tale of some people in the woods doing stuff, and you may think that is where we begin, but no… it goes on for so much longer.
So grab your popcorn and your Dramamine, you are going to need it. 1-Star Movie Review – Alien Origins has arrived.
Ok, here we go!
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I have spent many an hour over the last few months watching Columbo. Peter Falk as the ‘judging book by its cover’, appearing to be, but never actually are bumbling, has been listed so many times as one of televisions greatest charactrs that I thought I would give it a try.
Won’t lie, it’s fun. It’s really fun. There is a set of steps that every episode has that makes it easily digestable and, in some regards, if you’ve watched one, you’ve watched them all. At the beginning we see the murder, understand the motive, and we’re off to the races where Columbo figures out everything we’ve just seen.
If there’s a flaw, it’s that he always is asking the right question (or the wrong question for the right reasons). His catchphrase of finishing only to ‘oh.. wait.. one more thing’ always leads to the suspect being stopped cold that maybe this shabby buffoon knows too much!
But, as a template that was on television for 30 years, it worked. Here’s a quick list of some of my favorite episodes.
ETUDE IN BLACK – I think this one is the general world’s favorite. Maybe it’s because the special guest is John Cassavetes playing an intense and monsterous conductor who kills his other woman. Sometimes the best Columbos are the ones where it just looks like Falk is having a good time in a strange place… this one fits perfectly
A STITCH IN CRIME – The reason this episode is amongst the best is not because of Falk at all, but because of a post-Trek Leonard Nimoy who plays an arrogant doctor who clearly loves being the best at everything. Come for the snide Spockless Nimoy, stay for the amazingly horrible 70s sweaters.
COLUMBO GOES TO COLLEGE – This episode is admittedly a bit silly, as the method of death is more MacGuyver than Columbo, but watching Falk run around a college campus and pretending he’s dumber than these two smug college kids after they killed their professor is worth the price of admission.
THE SKY HIGH IQ MURDER CASE – For my favorite episode, it has to be the one where a bunch of brilliant nerds all gather in their nerdy clubhouse and nerd together. It’s Columbo goes to Mensa, and it is one of the few times where you see Falk drop the facade of ‘bad detective doing good’ and really lets the killer see that he has been matched.
And hey… almost forgot… one more thing, have you ever watch Columbo? What’s your favorite episode – sound off in all the usual places.
We all have movies that we think probably shouldn’t have been remade. We all have movies we think ‘it would be great to see that from a new perspective’ — well this week, the boys unleash a regular show that is becoming a staple as they head into the elevator to pitch the next not-new, new-again movie relaunch.
That’s right Elevator Pitch is now a monthly adventure. This week’s CEO is a long time friend of the show, the ringmaster of ACPN and Adult Swim Central, John Galbo!
What movie would you redo? Do you agree with the Somethings? Find out on Elevator Pitch: 80s Remake!
Ok here we like yah fer shurr,
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My Dad took me to my first concert, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Being a man who was in to Willie, Waylon, Hank Jr, Glen Campbell… my Dad’s music tastes shaped my early music tastes.
Recently, on a drive home from work, I suddenly had an urge to hear “Pancho and Lefty” by the aforementioned Willie and Waylon. That got me to thinking about the Country music I used to listen to growing up, so grab your Stetson, pull up your boots and check out these old-school Country tunes…
Whiskey River – A cover of an earlier song, Willie first released this on his album “Shotgun Willie” in 1973. Bouncing back and forth between Southern Rock and a Texas Two-Step vibe, it’s a catchy song that has become Willie’s signature song.
Dixieland Delight – Released by ‘Alabama’ on their 1983 album “The Closer You Get”. In 2019, Rolling Stone put it as #7 in the Top 25 “Songs about the South”, and it has been an on-and-off ‘pre 4th Quarter’ song tradition of the Crimson Tide.
Devil Went Down to Georgia – This song by Charlie Daniels Band has more than just a passing history with me. If you know, you know. If you don’t, then you weren’t there and wouldn’t understand.
She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft) – The stereotypical “country song” about a guy who’s wife leaves him and takes everything, it’s cleverly done by Jerry Reed and his storytelling style.
Convoy – This song by C.W. McCall is more of a silly guilty pleasure (as is the movie). It’s made even ‘better’ by the fact that there’s like 3 different versions of it.
What say you Somethings? Hit us up on our socials and let us know!
-PCR
Waalllllllt!
It’s been so long since I’ve done that. You see, we’ve started a new thing.. The Beginning. Since we’ve done it now for a couple episodes we thought, as PCR likes to put it, to rip the bandaid off and just get this one out of the way. Before the messages and tweets and you darling somethings ask for it, we’re just going to get the mystical island that haunts us out of the way.
And what did we think? I mean, the answer may surprise you… but it probably shouldn’t.
So settle in with your box of Dharma Initiative Fish Biscuits and get ready to go back yet again to The Beginning – Lost.
Ok, here we go again..!
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Last week we featured a list of our Bottom 5 Actors – and I promptly got a message from my sister, long time listener first time complainer, who said, ‘What about…’ and mentioned an actress that, for years, I had kvetched about. I had entire rants built around this one performer and she was surprised she didn’t make the top of my list.
Who? We’ll get there in a moment.
This, to me, is a perfect showing of precisely why I am certain my brain has an over-active repression gene. I would be concerned if it hadn’t been that way my whole life. I’d talk to someone about a video game I loved and they would say, ‘Oh, remember when Hero B plants their sword and screams because they finally had the revenge over their murdered mother.. wasn’t that awesome’ and I would stare dumbfounded, ‘Wait.. is that before or after you beat Bowser?’ — like, I just have a brain that things, even things I once held tightly to my bosom, fall out of.
Anyways, the actress is Helena Bonham Carter.
I guarantee, if you go back and listen to old episodes, I’ve done at least one rant about HBC’s inability to play anything but Marla from Fight Club wearing different outfits. (With the exception of Big Fish, which is the exception of HBC’s acting and Tim Burton’s everything else). I’m sure she’s a delightful person, gives to charities, kisses puppies – the fact is that there was a hot minute in the early 00’s where I kept wanting to see movies and instead saw Madame AloofGoth draping herself across scenery and had complained about it enough that my sister was shocked she was unmentioned.
What this does mean, though, is if we decided to rerecord some of our topics from years gone by, not only would I possibly not remember that we did it.. I also might have entirely different answers.
(Also, my wife is still angry at me about Justin Long)
We made it to October, avoiding the heat death of the universe yet again.
But what we have not avoided, if I can get serious here for a moment, is disappointment. PCR and I have, at times in our lives, found we were looking forward to something or were interested in a film that was on the horizon. Sadly, not all of the things we look forward to are … well.. good. Sometimes they can’t meet our expectations where others they are just plain dog crap – so please enjoy this list of films that we have decided are The Most Disappointing Movies.
Ok, here we boo!
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Hey all, PCR here.
For a while now, people have been talking about, or discussing Superhero Movie Burnout. This likely more pertains to the MCU as they have the bulk of Superhero Movies out and.. I think there’s something to it and there’s blame to lay.. but.. just like the Y in Madisynn.. it’s not where you think.
When the MCU first started, there was nothing else like it. It was new… fresh… one couldn’t really compare it to anything because.. well, there was nothing like it to compare to. 10 years later, with the culmination of the Infinity Saga in Endgame.. MCU 1.0 came to an end in my opinion. The issue now is a lack of evolution. Folks loved RDJ as Iron Man, Hemsworth as Thor, Boseman as Black Panther, Johansson as Black Widow, Evans as Cap.. etc, etc. Now however, the next ‘phase’ of the MCU will need to lean on new people. Doctor Strange is solid and in good hands with Bibblebop Thundergun, but Marvel seems intent on forging forward in a similar fashion as the first 10 years and.. the question is… will audiences be into Ironheart replacing Iron Man? Shuri as Black Panther? Sam as Cap? It’s a huge ask and, while it’s done in comics on a semi regular basis… comics don’t pull in nearly the money for a brand that movies do. Might it be time to change the MCU formula?
I don’t know what the right answer is, but what I DO know, as someone who saw 95% of the run up to Endgame in theaters… I just have no urge to see a Cap movie with Sam (you can listen to our “Bottom 5 : Actors” episode if you haven’t to hear why), nor do I care to watch a movie with Kate as Hawkeye, or Ironheart and on and on. It was the original actors who created the interest, and the casting was impeccable. These actors? While I might power through a 4-6 episode series on a streaming service from the comfort of my own home.. they sure don’t have the pull to put my ass in a movie theater seat.
So I think Marvel in general has some considering to do, and I honestly think they’ll come to realize that when the next Captain America movie comes out.
What are your thoughts? Hit us on the socials and let us know!
-PCR
Look, you can’t like everyone. It’s just impossible. I’m sure there’s at least one person out there in the universe that throws darts at a picture of me. Hell, some see it as a sign of a life lived well. Now, that said, when it comes to movies and television, some actors just aren’t our thing, either.
So join us as The Wheel goes out of its way to make Rob and I be assured we will never get those cushy Hollywood jobs we have been vying for all these years.
Find out which actors we just aren’t about on The Wheel’s Bottom 5: Actors
Ok here we ewww,
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Audio Blog
Last month, I paid into Microsoft Game Pass because Starfield was coming out and I am a fan of Bethesda games. Similar to Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series, the Bethesda games are the same game with different coats of paint. It’s an entire genre of paint, but still guns for bows and arrows, space for wastelands.. I dig it.
Sadly, that game was made with top of the line hardware in mind and mine is not. It’s stupid, but it is what it is. Hell, it isn’t even what I want to talk about today.
Since Starfield was out, I stuck around with Game Pass to see what else they had, and saw that Lies of P was on its way. I downloaded it, played it for about 4 – 6 hours, and promptly uninstalled it because I can’t stand Souls Games. First, I need to clarify that this isn’t a situation of ‘getting good’ – I enjoy a lot of tough gaming genres… hell, I will play a Rogue-like until my eyes won’t dialate without seeing Dead Cells or Hades characters. Even ‘2-d Souls-Likes’ and I am a demon possessed. I am the kid who beat Mike Tyson on the Nintendo (I did, I swear).
But, put me in front of a Souls-like and I am a raging he-beast of gaming ineptitude which sucks because they almost all are in worlds I want to play in. Dark and grimy fantasy, please. The rooftops of feudal Japan, gods yes. A Steampunk dystopia filled with gearwork police, stick it in my veins. And yet, the idea of learning the location and timing of a dozen villains through try and die, learning the attack and block strats for a series of enemies, and doing the constant struggle to get to where you were before to figure out how you died to not die again and I have never ever come closer to taking my controller and hurling it through a window.
So, after those 5 hours, I uninstalled Lies of P, disappointed that there is yet another game that I won’t get to learn the secrets of because it is made with a type of gamer in mind that I, in fact, am not. It’s shocking how every part of those games seems to be painted with me in mind and yet, somehow, their unforgiving relentless need for near perfect leaves me going back to installing Opus Magnum and Human Resource Machine… you know, actually hard games. (I kid.. kinda)
Oh, and Lies of P was playing on Ultra, suck it Starfield.
Do you want to be a superhero, but your moral compass is all out of whack? Are you obliviously lost in a differente decade? Do you frequently get people telling you that they can’t see you?
If the answer is – you are John Cena and we’re glad you support the show. Please reach out for an interview, we won’t charge you much.
Anyway, this week we are discussing the Cena show that took the world by surprise. I mean, Cena has always had the comedy chops, but to hold up the lionshare on this ensemble piece is an impressive feat. But what was that first episode? A good place to begin or over-hype?
Let’s answer the question on In the Beginning: Peacemaker
Ok here we AWABADOO… ba baa ba baa.
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Hey all, PCR here!
Now, Hatton’s dislike of short-form videos is fairly well known, but I myself have fallen down many a rabbit hole on Facebook or Instagram watching vid after vid. Now, not all of them are gold of course.. for every “Kiss or Slap”, “Watch till the end” and dying expensive sneakers in shaving cream video.. there are some real gems. Here’s some of my favorite ones.
Hack Reacts – Hack Reacts is from The Bearded Bard who you can find on YouTube, TikTok and elsewhere. It’s a split screen vid of him reacting to people showing off ‘hacks’ for various tools and hardware. It’s great to me because invariably someone uses 13 odd steps to solve a 3 step problem and the exasperation in his voice is palpable.
ChefReactions – Specifically, his Amaury Guichon videos. If you don’t know who Amaury Guichon is.. please go look him up. The man has godlike skills when it comes to working with chocolate and pastries. The ChefReacts video that nearly broke me was him watching Amaury make something and he goes “Oh.. starting off the video by working chocolate on a lathe so.. that makes me a piece of shit I guess”.
Casey Van Arsdale – He makes a lot of videos of various things.. creating.. cooking.. art.. but it’s his ‘spraypaint art planets’ that I will watch for hours. His descriptions of what he’s doing.. from using his ‘sha sha bowls’ to ‘pooping out stars’ just makes watching his videos that much more awe inspiring.
Basketball Flash Mob – I really don’t know what else to call this. The page is Tuvok12 on YouTube, but, it’s basically a bunch of guys with a backyard basketball set up on wheels who run into crowded public areas, lob a basketball at people passing by and the video rates their shot attempts. Some people brush it off and ignore them.. some people give it their all. It’s never belligerent or insulting to those who try, but when they sink one, it’s like a buzzer beater in game 7 of the championships.
What about you? What short-form videos do YOU find yourself binging? Hit us in the usual places and let us know!
-PCR
So you have spent the last few hundred years in the thrall of a monster who drinks the blood of the innocent.. what is a guy to do?
Well, let me add a little wrinkle to this hypothesis… that monster? None other than the most legendary monster of all time – Nic Cage.
That’s the basic premise of Renfield. Along the way we learn about toxic relationships, we visit a gothic TGIF, a support group, and a mob boss. It sounds like a story joke, but it isn’t – it’s Something in Review – Renfield
Ok, here we blah!
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SAY E’LLO TO OUR LIT’LE PODCAST!
And unlike the picture perfect Pacino accent that previous sentence was written in, sometimes a movie can pull you right out when someone’s accent doesn’t exactly match their character. Are they an American with a Brit twang? Are they Southern and sound like they came straight from the Civil War? Are they a Spaniard and yet somehow sound precisely like they don’t give a damn about any of the movies in this franchise?
Well, we’re about to take them to task.
Did you read that with a perfect patois? You should, as you join us on Worst Accents in Movies
O’ah kay, here we go, an’ nobody gets our lucky charms!
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Hatton here – I unabashedly love the Rocky franchise. Ok, fine, I love any ‘bottom to top’ hero movie. Rudy, Karate Kid.. any movie where someone starts as literal garbage and ends with people chanting his name. Anyway, my favorite movie from a couple years ago was Creed. I think it’s smart, it follows the legacy that the Rocky movies created, and with Creed 2 – it builds on them in a very special way that even the MCU is having a hard time with when it comes to evolving their franchise.
This comes to where I told my wife I wanted her to see Creed, but we’ll watch Rocky, Rocky IV and we’ll get to Creed. She, on the other hand, said she wanted the whole experience… and so as of last night we have gotten to what is the ‘main line’ of the RCU. We just finished Rocky V last night, so I thought I’d drop some quick reviews here as it has been a long time since I’d seen them and my tastes have evolved as I have become a jaded grown-up.
Rocky I – It is a slow movie. I mentioned in a recent episode that there is a reason that older movies are so hard to watch when modern films have learned how to BEAT BEAT BEAT EXPLOSION BEAT CLUE BEAT BOOM our ADHD addled brains into a state of visual stupor. Rocky I, where a great story and deserving of its accolades, spends a lot of time making Philadelphia a living breathing city – as we have cameras watching city streets as much as we have Rocky. Anyway, it’s still a classic although some of its emotional beats are a bit.. well, lets say they wouldn’t work in a modern film and thankfully Adrian really liked him.
Brit’s one line review – “So much yelling – but so much heart.”
Rocky II – Previously, I joked that R2 was just R1 with a happier ending, but there is something more to it. I don’t think Rocky is as good without Rocky 2 at this point. In the first movie Creed outright ignores this chump he’s picked out of the phonebook. You could argue Rocky goes the distance with him when Creed isn’t at his best. In the second, they are both at their top and even though the ending is, in wrestling terms, a schmozz, it proves that Rocky can hang with the best.
Brit’s one line review – “Rocky finally gets what he deserves.”
Rocky III – If there is one consistent thing in, literally, every Rocky film.. it’s that Rocky is retiring. In his 60+ fights, I swear every 5 is him thinking about hanging it up to make Adrian happy and he gets bored and goes and punches out some more dudes. The fight, versus Mr. T, is one of the shorter of the series and in the perspective of the whole series, I like that. Rocky can hang. Clubber Lang is just bluster and nobody believes in Rock.. and yet again, proven wrong.
Brit’s one line review – “Rocky and Apollo is the best bromance in tv history, period.”
Rocky IV – I think, because of its quotable Dolph-isms (‘i must break you’) this movie is remembered well, but it is a really good 45 minute movie and a really bad 30 minute montage video. Let me clarify, Hearts On Fire, aka, the Russian Training Montage, is my favorite montage of all time… but… this movie montages shit we saw 20 minutes ago. It feels like they were really pushing that soundtrack and, because of it, the plot takes a hit. There was a ton of room here for a subplot about a Russian Trainer, about making Creed’s trainer ‘Duke’ a more full character, something. I have a longer rant about it I’ll discuss another time.
Brit’s one line review – “Snow training montage. That’s all you need.”
Rocky V – Fine. I’ve said I like this movie more than the rest of the world. That said, I am a man that can admit he was wrong. It’s not great, and even though I think there are really good beats they could have done without the ‘Rocky is right back where he started’ story… that whole bit about him reverting to the slow thinking, money shaky, ball bouncing, hat wearing, guy is so forced it hurts. Plus, the fight at the end is more than lacking when you know what you want in a Rocky film.
Brit’s one line review – “If you missed Rocky the Bum… he’s back… unfortunately.”
What do you think of Rocky? Sound off in all the places.
Once in a while.. and by a while, I mean two or three times a year, we are given the gift of a fifth week in the month. Now, the Somethings run the ship like a well oiled machine, so I’m sure it is obvious that our meticulous schedule is thrown all catty-wampus by this nere-do-well week.
To solve that, we don’t plan what to do .. we just turn on the mics.
So what have the Somethings been up to? What are we watching? What’s bugging us? We’ll tell you on this week’s 5th Week Free For All
Ok, here we go!
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Hey all, PCR here.
So.. there interwebs are starting to bustle with an interview director Taika Waititi gave regarding what he’d do for Thor 5. Let’s be clear, Thor 5 isn’t green lit, and after Love and Thunder, likely (hopefully) won’t be green lit, and if it does, I hope to the MCU gods that Waititi isn’t attached.
For those that didn’t listen to our Love and Thunder episode (with guest Erik Hall, you can listen here), I.. was not a fan. Ragnarok was fun and different from the first two Thor movies, but.. I dislike when movie makers are like “Yes.. but THIS one needs to go to ELEVEN…” Sometimes, you catch lightning in a bottle, and you need to go in a different direction. Granted, that’s what Ragnarok did, but.. Love and Thunder was.. just a mess, and I personally would cringe at knowing the guy responsible for that mess was back at the helm yet again.
He certainly has a “style”, but so does Tim Burton and Zack Snyder. Sometimes the movies work because of the style, sometimes they work in spite of… Waititi’s ‘style’ works for some movies, not for others, and it’s disappointing when Hollywood latches onto someone they make as their current “go-to person” based on some early successes and put them on projects that do not at all mesh with that style. Case and point… Ragnarok was fun and different, and while Thor can certainly have some comedic moments, he’s not a comedy character, and.. in my lowly opinion at least.. shouldn’t be used as such.
For me, if a Thor 5 WAS to happen, I would want it to be more serious, more gravitas. Sure, comedy can be a part of it, but only to offset the drama and seriousness I think needs to be part of the character.
That’s my take, what’s yours? Hit us on the socials and let us know!
-PCR
We have returned with our newest attempt at relevancy, The Beginning!
On this episode we go to the comic book wagon again for the most recent in the constant struggle for the MCU to find its footing – this time with a series that has been in the works since Captain Marvel. He is our favorite Bad Motha-shut-yo-mouth, Sam Jackson returning as Nick Fury, in a world where anyone of us could be a Skrull.
So settle in as we talk about the first episode, how it sits, how the Marvel U looks, and more on The Beginning: Secret Invasion!
Ok, here Kree go!
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Has anyone else felt that feeling like this is never going to end?
Look, I support the writers and the actors. So, when the industry A-Listers listen to this, please don’t think I am not sympathetic to your struggles. That said, has anyone else flipped through their streaming services, amongst the hundreds of thousands of movies that you’ve never seen, the decades of television programming that is available at your beck and call, the Oscar winners, the Disney Classics, the comfort food horror franchises, and the Nick at Nite throwbacks and thought to yourself… ugh, there’s nothing on…
Sadly, it’s not going to get better.
Aside from the fact the parties have only just started meeting up again, it feels like the pains the Best Boys and Key Grips are much worse than that of CEO’s Peter Aramount and Nick Etflix. So what does that mean? Well, it means settle in and find something with a lot of episodes. Here’s a few suggestions of older shows I’ve found now that I’ve caught up with Strange New Worlds…
Alfred Hitchcock Presents – Peacock – I am certain I’ve mentioned this before somewhere, but Peacock has all of the Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Hour shows. But let me tell you that if you are looking for something to binge, there is absolutely nothing better. First, there are 350 or so episodes. Yes, some of them are duds, but there are so many that aren’t or feature enough actors before they were famous that there is always something interesting. Moreover, the great episodes… are truly masterpieces of suspense and twist story telling.
Columbo – Peacock – Ok ok I’m done… but just one more thing…. I’ve always been told I would enjoy Columbo, and now that I’ve started diving into the archive, those folks were right. Collectively, there are only 50 or so episodes of the original series, but each one is an hour and a half. Full movies about a sloppy brilliant man call people out on their stupid murders. Again, not all of them are gold, but none (of the ones I’ve seen so far) are not worth the watch.
Gilmore Girls – Netflix – Why worry about the impending heat death of the universe when you can go to a cozy little Connecticut town where everyone is pleasant and the scripts are triple the size? Gilmore is a guilty pleasure, but it is not without its laugh out loud scripts and cozy ‘everything will be ok’ attitude. I’m not defending my choices, you’re wrong… just ask Kurt.
Riverdale – Netflix – First, don’t watch Riverdale because it is a true to life telling of the Archie mythos. You will be disappointed. Watch it because it is a completely absurd, almost to the point of being artistic, teen drama show that just doesn’t care how batshit it gets. You want a cult? An asylum? A brutal music scene? Murder and gang warfare? Riverdale has you covered.. it’s Twin Peaks chewing bubble gum and it is amazing.
What are you watching? Sound off in the places.
Have you ever seen patterns where there weren’t any? Have you ever found some truth in the noise and were certain you could change the world? What if you also were a wacky scientist who can only act by breathing heavy? Oh, and also the world might be ending.. maybe..
So, none of these questions are impossible in the world of Knowing or KNOW1NG if you pay attention to the advertisements, a Nic Cage vehicle that can’t help but zig zag across the map all higgildy-piggildy and lets you hang along for the ride.
Settle in as the Somethings dissect a movie that sits somewhere between 2012 and an Asylum version of 2012.
Ok, here we go… (but read in a Nic Cage voice)
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Hellooooooo Somethings!
So.. look. When you’ve been doing a “thing” for 10 years, and you’re as fidgety creative as your co-host is.. every now and then you want to take what you’re making, throw it in a box, shake the shit out of it, dump it out, and see how if lays out now.
To that end, starting in October, we’re going to have a new lineup of shows!
Our first episode of the month is always going to be our ‘podcast’ episode, so that won’t change.
Week 2 will be “In The Beginning”, moved up from the end of the month closer to… well.. you get the idea. We’ll be talking pilot episodes and it gives us the opportunity to discuss shows that are still ongoing.
In week 3, Elevator Pitch is getting it’s own show. This is going to allow us to have a guest on once a month, and also allow Hatton and I to flex our creative muscles into more ideas.
Week 4 brings us another new show, One Star Movies. We find the idea of doing movie reviews of terrible movies hilarious, so we’re looking forward to digging into some real bad ones here.
Now, you may be asking “What about ‘Something In Review’? What happened to ‘The Wheel’?” Well, fear not Somethings. In the past those months that had 5 Tuesdays had a ‘Free For All’ episode at the end, well, we’re renaming that show “The 5th Wheel”, and we’ll be using our Swedish-Made-Totally-Something-That-Exists Wheel for those episodes.
Hatton and I are looking forward to testing the new lineup, and we hope you enjoy it too! Hit us up on the socials and let us know your thoughts!
-PCR
The Wheel is back. The Wheel? You ask. Yes, the completely real creation of Swedish technology that determines what we are doing on any given episode.
..and this time it brought a guest!
Imagine the Somethings each get just one chance to pitch something, while the top CEO with all of the big spending dollars is forced to listen to them. One of them will get bankrolled to have their idea go to market. The other.. well, the other got that free elevator ride.
This week’s CEO Mogul Du Jour is the fantabulous Vanessa Guerrero. You may have seen her on G4, or know her from Game Grumps – or maybe you have checked out her podcast Popcorn & Pixels (and if not, you should!)
Who is going to the top floor? Only one way to find out…
Ok, here we girl from ipanima…
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Hey all – Hatton here.
Well, the world is talking about the dying gasp that is Twit… ahem.. X. So I thought I would run through a few ideas I’ve had recently that would be better names we could use instead of X to X-eeting.. Skexeet… Xavier-eeting people– better names for Twitter and why.
First let’s work with the assumption that we MUST change Twitter. We can invent some farfetched reason like we have a small peepee and can’t help but cram our greedy fingers into everything, or that we’re doing our best to sink the ship to try and recoup our lost millions somehow. Off the top of head. Fact is, doesn’t matter why.. we’re changing that blue bird of happiness.
Let’s start simple.
What if we called them Shawties?
The caveat is that you can only use them on someone’s birthday.
You’re welcome.
We could go fancy, and try to bring us back to a posher time and refer to them as Missives. A word originating in mid 1500s France – instead of our Tweetdeck being laden with the sale of plummeting NFTs and the dumbfuck opinions of anyone with a phone.. well now we can receive a missive, which will, of course, provide you with a bevvy of financial opportunities for fungible items in an exciting speculative market and give you the regular thoughts of the assinity of the proletariat as they send missives hither and yon.
Another short idea – we could just call it Reddit.. by next year that name will likely be just as available.
Next, I’d like to reach back just a little while ago on the internet, a trend you still see today although not as much. When the land grab for domains got hot, a lot of start ups couldn’t get normal uncopyrightable words, so they made their own. JOOMLA, XOBNO, HULU, SKYPE or they removed expensive vowels: BUTLR, FLICKR, GRINDR, SCRIBD.. hell, even Twitter was almost TWTTR — but now that we’re assuredly changing the way we TWT, why not go all in. No vowels. Not even in your missives. What will we call these.. I don’t care, I just don’t want vowels, so lets go with DPSHT.
Finally, since X is here til the Chapter 11 filings, we can praise Elon for one thing. Someone that works his puppet thoughts realized that with the advent of horrible short form video (a rant for another day) a shorter name saves people time. By X-ing, you’re saving yourself a fraction of a fraction of a second over Tweeeeeeeeeeeting, each time you say it. Efficiency is the name of the game, so we’re going to go one finally step further.
Instead of X’ing… instead of Tweeting… the best thing we can do is just not talk about them at all. Send a text message instead. Except on birthdays. Then we Shawty.
What is a ‘pop’?
In professional wrestling terms, it’s the moment the crowd goes nuts. Maybe they’re cheering – maybe they’re booing, but there is a moment in a movie where the audience is so emotionally invested they can’t help but be there.
We’re talking about those moments.. but not alone! We are joined by long time SomethingFriend, Tim Stevens. You may know Tim from his time writing for any number of fantastic websites about the world of comics and pop culture. These days you can find him on TheSpool.net as well as The Wealth of Geeks. He’s also one bad shut yo mouth.
You ready to laugh? Ready to cheer? Ready to catch the ball to win the big game? Prepared to listen to a podcast you can’t help, but scream at?
Ok, here we OOOOoooh!
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Hey all, PCR here
Now, it’s been said (hell, I’ve said it myself) that, I’m not a “horror guy”. I don’t get into horror the way others do, I don’t seem to understand the hype some horror movies get.. they just aren’t really my bag.
That’s not to say I don’t try to watch them.
Over the past week, I checked out a few, and here are my thoughts on them…
Insidious
This was “eh” to me, the ‘non-horror-movie-guy’. It felt kind of stilted, and.. compared to other movies on this list involving children, it felt the tamest in regards to the scares involving kids. Sure, the creature had some good jump scare moments, and Specs and Tucker were great for their interaction, the whole movie just felt… lacking and like they made it up as they went.
Sinister
Ok, when it comes to using kids in horror movies, it can either feel terrifying, or like a Happy Meal movie. Sinister was very much the former. The scary in it was how disturbing the content was. Very little back story, a nice cameo from Vincent D’Onofrio… my biggest gripe really was there was zero explanation for anything. Maybe they came in later films, but that was my biggest complaint regarding this one. Probably tied for ‘best one I saw this week”
The Conjuring and The Conjuring : The Devil Made Me Do It
The second installment wasn’t available on my streaming service, so I skipped 2 and went to “Devil…”. In my opinion, the first one was MUCH better. Better effects, better scares… I think the horror I can lean in to is the horror that doesn’t feel so fantastical… no traveling to different realms, no giant portals with winged beasties flooding through.. shit that feels like it’s much more practical. There were some legit scenes in the first one that had me pausing and siting up going “what the fuck…”, Devil Made me Do It.. not so much. The Conjuringtied with Sinister for ‘best watched this week’
The Nun
I know this is a spin off of The Conjuring ‘universe’, I also know this one was bad. The story felt forced, and full of “Why the fuck would you do that?” moments that I HATE in horror movies. Nothing seemed surprising and most of the movie felt telegraphed to me. Easily the bottom of my list.
What about you Somethings? What are your thoughts on MY thoughts? Hit us up on our socials and let us know!
– PCR
In an ironic twist, we End the month, not with The End… but… The Beginning!
Now, this may confuse some of you – but it really shouldn’t, it isn’t that hard of a concept – previously we would talk about the last episodes of shows, and guess what, now we’re going to talk about the beginning of them. The End will still be around when it is relevant, but we have some great ideas for this new take on what we were doing.
We’re starting with a show that made millions look to the sky and wonder, ‘…weather balloon?’ – The X-Files. And, as you will hear, there is no possible way we could have done an episode on The X-Files without the resident X-pert on X-Things, the Scully to Hatton’s Mulder, making her Somethingcast debut Brittany!
So – does the start of the X-Files still smoke or is it just a cover up? Find out on the debut of The Beginning: X-Files
The Truth’s Ok, here we go!
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Lets take a moment and look at the internet.
With the Five Nights At Freddie’s movie coming out soon, with a couple other animatronic monster movies in its wake (The Banana Splits, Willy’s Wonderland) we can find certain internet pop culture moments getting their big budget day in the sun. A game made famous, primarily, streamer content isn’t the first time a ‘meme’ made big bucks. You only need look back at Slenderman, a creation of the Something Awful forum, the Netflix game show ‘Is It Cake?’, and ‘Shit my Dad Says!’ a sitcom based on a series of tweets.
What if though, the movie world was pilfering from the internet in 2001 instead? What old memes could we have seen?
HAMSTER DANCE: THE MOVIE – Before the Emoji Movie, we had an animated gif of a dancing hamster to a tune from Robin Hood. If Hollywood had been aware then, perhaps we could be living with that stupid song stuck in our head for the rest of our lives.
Here… enjoy it
MR T ATE MY BALLS – Out of any meme I remember very clearly in my early internetting, this is the one that is shockingly forgotten. Why was there a cartoon of Mr. T saying ‘I Pity The Fool Who Don’t Like Balls’? Look, I don’t know, everyone just got online and we were just figuring things out. That said, in an alternate timeline there is a movie about a man on the hunt for balls that nobody can stop.. that man.. well, you get it.
HOMESTARRUNNER PRESENTS: STRONG-BAD’S MOVIE FOR REALLY COOL GUYS, NOT YOU – Let’s finish up on the movie that I kinda still want. The Brothers Chap, braintrust to the Homestar Runner Universe are literally everyone’s friend that did cartoons, but not the annoying one that just did dots… like legitimate cartoons that made you laugh, had you quoting, and had an entire legion of people sitting every week waiting for StrongBad’s new email. I’d watch this tv show now. Hell, I’d Kickstart this movie. I’d try the MetaVerse if I was told Homestar was there.
Shockingly, the Brothers Chap worked with Disney for years based on their internet fame, and somehow the Mouse still doesn’t own Trogdor.. so there is still hope. No matter what, it’s Dot Com!
What internet memes that circulated on Geocities are still ripe for the entertainment plucking? Sound off in all the places.
The Wheel has brought us together again – and on this completely real wheel that spins and dictates our topic, what do we get this week?
Why, conveniently it follows in our X’iversary with us pitting two teams of the mightiest mutants against each other. That’s right, the Somethings are picking their X-TEAM and you get to decide who the winner is.
Will it be Hatton’s Big Brain Drama Factory? Or Rob’s Crunchy Family Throwdown? These are not official names, but we will be optioning the movie rights. Until then, settle in and pick which team you think X gon give it to on The Wheel: Vs. X-Men
Ok, here we go, bub.
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Hey Somethings, PCR here.
So, I recently ended up watching “The Meg” and, I went into it wanting to like it more than I did. Afterwards, I was left sitting there thinking about many of the shark movies I’ve seen, and, with Shark Week approaching, I decided to touch on 3 of them specifically. Let’s start with the one I already mentioned..
The Meg
The concept of “how” was actually pretty original… there’s a section of ocean BELOW the deepest section of the Mariana Trench, separated by super, super cold water. They find things down there that have never been discovered, and inadvertently bring something back up through it. The movie does give you some twists, but honestly, they’re not anything we haven’t seen from other shark movies.. just… bigger. The CGI wasn’t the worst I’ve seen, but, the story hinged on the fact that the shark was the size of a skyscraper. Once that sinks in, you’re really just in it to hear Jason Statham say “megalodon” over and over.
Jaws
This is pretty much where it all started, and, the most realistic of the 3 I’ll talk about. Great White Shark wreaks havoc on an idyllic town’s beach. Sure the shark is ‘big’, but still within the realm of realism. It’s also filmed in a ‘realistic’ way.. like.. all that shit could happen.. which made it’s impact that much stronger. Sure, other shark movies have taken concepts and paid homage to Spielberg’s classic, and it’s well earned.
Deep Blue Sea
This movie is kind of a guilt pleasure of mine. It has one scene of the worst CGI scenes I’ve seen in a shark movie, but the cast is amazing. Sam Jackson, LL Cool J, Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Michael Rapaport… how can it NOT be fun? Are there silly parts in it? Absolutely. Is it still a fun movie with an original twist? To me.. yes. Most other shark movies lean into the shark being ‘huge’, or ‘evil’. This one made them smarter, and that made all the difference.
How about you Somethings? What are some of YOUR favorite shark movies? Sound off in our socials and let us know
-PCR
If we’re celebrating 10 years, and we’re not going back to the island, we have to go back to something. Thankfully, a podcast favorite just celebrated its 10th movie… it’s like we planned it this way… (we didn’t)
So settle in with some family, because we’re going to get in our speedy Mustang 436 El Dorado Turbo Nitro Boost Alpha, which I assume is exactly the right car name, and jump on board with a tale of a few young go-getters just making their way in this big world. Fast X!
We’re not doing it alone though, joining us is one of our favorite people, from ACPN, the ‘bigt00l’ himself, Matt Nasiatic.
So get behind the wheel, charge up your spark capacitors and fan belt your thrust exhaust, Hatton knows nothing about cars…
Ok, here we family…
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First off, if you haven’t been paying attention to what’s been going on with our Patreon – we recently closed it down. Now, one of the things they got was an audio version of our Friday Blog on their feed.
We thought it was only fair to put that live up on the site for everyone now, so you can expect to hear from Rob and myself a little bit more over the month.
This week though, with the recent explosions of Reddit and Twitter, I thought I would talk about some of the modern problems I’m having with social media. Now, some of this comes from a guy who used to read Fidonet on local BBS’s, kept up with his Usenet feed, hung out on IRC, and made some of my longest internet friends on forums. I’m clearly not anti-social media… but…
The new crop of social media that are going to try and fill in the gap left in the financial sinkhole of Twitter and the growing corporatization of Reddit are a problem. A site like Threads, owned by Team Zuckerberg, has made it abundantly clear they don’t want you using a desktop computer, much like the restrictions they put on Instagram.. and do you know why? I assure you it isn’t because you can’t view the data on a computer, but that they don’t want you to.
On my computer I have adblockers, anti-trackers, and ways to make the data I receive cleaner. They don’t want that – they want, and I am in no way being hyperbolic here, camera control to make sure you’re engaging with the product, no way to stop ads, and no ability to adjust the way the data is viewed. They have that right, too, but I can say for certain I’ll never use any service like it.
Next is the content limitations. All of these companies want the ability to have high-end advertisers and you know what advertisers from big brands don’t like? …sex. For a prime example of how that story goes, go read up on a little thing called TUMBLR. If you allow sex work on your platform, you are drawing a line in the sand that you accept you won’t be getting that Pepsi sponsorship. Hell, even OnlyFans, the site that is synonymous with modern pornography, tried to ditch sex until it realized that was the entirety of its userbase.
So what do we do? Sadly, we aren’t going to go back to a world of forums when we’ve been shhown places we can talk to everyone since MySpace. So we will have to wade through the muck of places like Threads and Hive until a better option comes along. I hope it is something like Mastodon or Lemmy that allows people to find their tribe… but they have a long way to go and they’re facing down the diamond encrusted barrels of Google and Meta.
That said, you can find us on Threads @somethingcast, but Rob handles that stuff because it makes me feel gross.
What are you using? Sound off in all the places – and we’ll see you next week.
We did it. We hit 10 Years.
A decade of Movies. Listicles. Bad impressions. Mysteries. Special Guests.
And yet somehow, in all of that, we’ve never talked directly about Science Fiction movies… like… what? How is that? It’s weird, isn’t it? Like it feels like a big miss. We looked through the episodes and – nope – no sci-fi. So we did it. Seemed like a great way to celebrate ten years.
This episode is broken down a little different. Mostly because I included the Patreon stuff to let you all know that we are, for now, closing down the Patreon. We thank those that joined in on it, but to put our energies into other things, some of which you’ll hear during the show, we needed to trim somewhere. Please note – if you are Patreon Member, your payment was cancelled for July, but we wanted to make sure you got to hear the ‘full unedit’ cut of the episode.
So, thank you all for being with us for these last ten years, and lets start the next 10 right.
Ready? Well ok, here we go… to SPACE!
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Hey there Somethings, Podcast Rob here!
So.. there’s this disturbing trend happening lately on streaming services, and I think it’s time we talk about it.
Recently, shows like “Grease : Rise of the Pink Ladies” , “Star Trek : Prodigy” and “The Quest” have not only been cancelled, but the decision has been made to completely remove those shows from their respective streaming platforms.
The claim (by studios/platforms) is tax write offs, but, let’s look at the larger underlying issues involved, for there are other, deeper (un)intended consequences involved in my opinion…
Sure, business is business, and the almighty dollar speaks loudly. Yes, I get that it costs companies money to take up their server space with shows no longer being made. But, in the current climate with the Writer’s strike, it feels more telling as to a big reason services are purging things from their platforms….residuals.
Now, is it intentional by the platform providers to screw over the writers/actors/directors and anyone else who gets (or would get) paid from having a show stream? Or is it an ‘unintended consequence’ of the provider getting a tax write off that? The way the providers are trying to play hardball, I can’t see this an anything other than (another) slap in the face to those who make the content. And, unfortunately (for everyone else.. not those at the top…) cutting content/inventory/personnel (looking at you TCM) to ‘save money due to slumping sales/profits’ is a self-fulfilling prophecy, because now.. people will look elsewhere for that content (if it gets picked up by another provider) or.. determine (like I did with Netflix), that ‘enough is enough’ and just drop the service completely.
Now, maybe it’s a part of the ‘entitlement culture’ that we as consumers believe that just since we’re paying for a streaming service, that all shows and movies etc. should be available till the end of time, but to be fair, the services themselves set that expectation in the early days of the Cable Wars when they were encouraging folks to cut the cord and watch everything ‘on demand’, so.. should they really be shocked when subscribers jump ship and follow the content, or just jump ship in general?
What are your thoughts? Hit our socials and let us know what you think, and get ready for a month-long celebration of our 10 year podiversary in July!
– PCR
Whaddaya call a podcast bout a bunch of stuff?
I don’t know Dad, what?SomethingSomethingcast, Carl….. SOMETHIN SOMETHIN!
So it is the end of the world as we know it, and honestly nobody seems fine at all. There’s zombies, there’s drama, there’s baseball bats, and was the destination worth the journey or was it all just a set-up for some new journeys? We discuss the end of the iconic horror series The Walking Dead this week on The End!
Ok, here we go Carl…. HERE WE GO!
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A long time ago I shunned the X v Y arguments. I use Android, but I know some people should use IOS. I play most games on PC, but console gaming will never not be an invalid choice. I don’t drink soda, but prefer Pepsi because my tastebuds are weird. I like dragons and fantasy and elves, but can’t read Tolkien. Wars is fun, but Trek is mine…
Which leads me to my discussion of the EU of Star Trek and Star Wars and just how amazingly different they are and why, I feel like I can say with no dismissal of your fandom, that the modern Star Trek has proven to be so much of a better road than the modern Star Wars – and we can see the problem with both in the same man.
JJ ABRAMS
Look, obviously we have a bone to pick with him for a certain island, but even during my lovey dovey phase where he could do no wrong, he still boned Star Trek by turning it into a Star Wars resume. Then, when he got to Star Wars, the project it felt like he really wanted.. well, it went as well as it did. I’d almost believe that nostalgia sequels were impossible, except that Star Trek has shown precisely how to do it.
Discovery is for folks who want new ‘in universe’ stories. Picard is for people who want nostalgia that pays homage to what came before it and is wall to wall with nods to where the future took these characters. Strange New Worlds is for the people that want hidden stories from the time they remember. Lower Decks is for the people that want to mock what they love. All of them done with care and craft, adding to the mythos without retreading it. Does Picard make a direct reference to ‘Farpoint’ the first mission of The Next Generation, directly – but it is acknowledged as such, and it is there to teach a lesson about what the ‘old guard’ knows that the new guard doesn’t. It’s that knowledge that aids the characters instead of new characters just doing it all over again.
…you know, like how the evil guy builds a big evil killer planet eating sphere laser and the heroes go flying in a trench to blow it up. Again.
The Trek shows aren’t without their nitpicks, especially if you are a purist – but lets be real here, if you are a purist of anything you probably aren’t ever going to be happy.
You know what also does nostalgia relaunch better than Star Wars? Chucky. By, like.. miles.
You know anything else better than Star Wars? Sound off in all the places and Live Long & Propsper.
– Hatton
Deep in the desert lay a few miles of land that have been home to countless secrets. Some we know… others we don’t. From alien landing pads to the home of the tech we have just not seen yet, this small patch of land in Nevada is the place where the Somethingverse Thrives… so join us as we go rave in the sand and Naruto run our way to The Wheel – Area 51
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Hey Somethings, PCR here (again!)
Hatton is still unwinding from his time away and coming to terms with the fact that “The Last Day Of Your Vacation Is Literally Hell On Earth”, so this week’s blog is once again from me, myself and I (those of you old enough… you’re welcome for the earworm).
With next year being our Month-Long Podiversary, I wanted to tease some changes we’re going to be rolling out!
Let’s start at the beginning!
The first episode of any given month has been, and will continue to be, our “Podcast Episode” as we call it behind the scenes (catchy name, right!?). This is our episode where we get to primarily do things like our “List” shows and such. It’s what we started out doing, and while we’ve seen other format shows come and go, this one will stay pretty much the same.
Second and Third weeks are pretty interchangeable depending on our recording schedule, but typically, second episode of the month has been our “Something In Review” and will remain so. We’ve never been a “cutting edge info” podcast, so expect to see some more ‘classic’ type movies mixed in.
Third week is “The Wheel”, a favorite of ours and a chance to flex things and get crazy. We’ll be adding some different topics to the wheel, so don’t be surprised to hear some former shows make a return, and some current show types get added!
Last week of the month was typically our slot for “The End” where we’d just discuss the final episode of a TV show. We’ll be adding that to “The Wheel” and, going forward, pulling a 180 and trying out a new show called “In The Beginning” where.. you guessed it, we’ll be only discussing show pilots. We’re excited for it, and we’ll see how it rolls!
Months with a 5th week will continue to be our ‘Free For All’ shows as they have been in the past.
Looking forward to kicking off our 10 Year Podiversary! See you there!
– PCR
♫ Antman, Antman,
Does whatever an Ant can..
Is he strong? Listen bud,
we don’t care, it’s Paul Rudd
We watched, and reviewed the Antman ♫
I apologize, there is no feasible way I was concocting a rhyme for the word Quantumania. I’m sorry I’ve disappointed you. Check out our review Antman & the Wasp: Quantumania
Ok, here we go.. but, smaller..
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Hey All, Podcast Rob here.
Not gonna lie, been a rough brain month this month so far, which makes me glad we pre-recorded June to give me a breather and Hatton some well deserved time in “The North”. That said, I was tooling around on the internet last night (like you do…) and stumbled across a list of ‘restaurants that no longer exist’ and I fell down this rabbit hole sans parachute.
So now I give to you, PCR’s list of ‘Food Places of the Past’…specifically, ones I loved going to.
4 – Steak and Ale
From it’s Tudor style exterior, to it’s salad bar, to it’s… dimly-lit interior, this was a place you went to if you wanted to feel ‘rich and important’ on the cheap. The prices were good, the steaks were (surprisingly) good and inexpensive, and the overall atmosphere was friendly yet high-class… kind of like a casual Brookstone.. but with food.
3 – Chi Chi’s
Good-sized portions, endless chips, good prices.. what could go wrong? (Hint : Hepatitis A).
True Story. A roomie of mine and I went to a Chi-Chi’s for lunch one day. After siting there for nearly 30 minutes with no contact from anyone on the wait staff, and having finished our chips, we left and walked next door to a Red Lobster… where we proceeded to spend almost $200 on lunch and drinks and apps. Taking a photo copy of the receipt, we went BACK to the Chi-Chi’s where the hostess greeted us and offered to take us to a table. We explained to her we were there previously, never got helped, so went elsewhere and handed her the copy of our receipt to show what they missed out on. Ahhhhh.. good times, good times.
2 – A&W Drive Ins
I’ll be honest, the memories of these are foggy as I was VERY young, but I remember the excitement of my mom and dad when we were headed there as a ‘treat’ for us. I don’t remember anything amazingly special about the food, but the frosted mugs certainly stand out, as does the Root Beer Floats… THOSE I will remember forever.
1 – The Ground Round
Man… to be a kid and go eat here again. Endless popcorn, the mostly-wood interior, the screen in the middle playing endless Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, the ribs.. THE RIBS MAN… this place was a Shangri-La of fun in the ’80s. I honestly don’t think there’s anyplace that exists now that is on the same level that The Ground Round was back then.
Ok Somethings, what were YOUR favorite places to eat as a kid? Chime in on our socials and let us know!
-PCR
Sometimes you get a crazed number one fan.. sometimes you get the Green Goblin car. Either way, you’re in for a weird day.
The boys gathered together to discuss their favorite Stephen King movies, and along the way some of their least favorite. We assure you, the end of this episode does not include random aliens, so it’s at least as good as half of King’s work.
But settle in, we’re goin to Maine!
Ok, here we go Georgie, BEEP BEEP!
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Hey folks, Hatton here. There have been a glut of Roguelikes that have crossed my path the last few months. Games that change every time you play them. Games that offer you only one life and then you have to start over.
Some of these games gives you a “Rogue-Like” where the game gets easier as you unlock things, but even those start off brutally hard. Here’s a couple I’ve been playing the last few months and dying and dying and dying at.
Crypt of the Necrodancer – It’s well established this game was made for me. It is catching dungeon crawling and beat-landing. It’s DDR in caves. I have played a couple hours of it every week since I got it in 2015 and still have challenges I haven’t come close to yet.
Tales of MajEyal – Out of the games on this list, this is the most hardcore of the Rogue experiences. It’s turn based tiles, stat crunching, a thousand things in your inventory, weird collections of powers, and every time you play you are at square one again. Died on the final boss? Well, welcome to killing rats again, stupid. It’s also brilliantly fun.
Aces & Adventurers – Years ago I had the idea to figure out a way to make solitaire or poker into a dungeon crawler. There have been attempts, but most end up being ‘high card/low card’ or too reliant on the AI not cheating. Aces & Adventures fixed it all. Beautiful story modes, different character builds, it’s like a deck-building game, but with a normal deck of cards. Highly recommended.
And one last one, I’m going to mention DemonCrawl, but it isn’t precisely a Rogue game.. it has some of the hallmarks with random loot, but it is really just a weird game of Minesweeper. Totally worth looking into though.
What Rogues do you like? Nethack? Rogue? Sound off in all the usual places.
As we do every year, the Somethings were honored to be a part of Livestream For The Cure, and it feels only right – since it is a 5 week month, to share our segment with you folks. If you didn’t get a chance to hang out with us, you can see the whole stream on Twitch (link above).
Last year, Rob put Nick and Hatton up to the movie quote challenge.. this year, Hatton is the quizmaster and he has invented his own game, or.. kinda like 5 of them. All the while PCR takes shots on donations. What could go wrong?
Thank you again Nick (of Nikoli’s Kitchen) and we look forward to next year.
Ok, here we go!
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Hey all, PCR here.
I’ve been seeing a lot.. a LOT of chatter lately about “Justice League 2” and how the Snyderverse should and will be continued and, I have to admit… it’s only slightly less annoying than when people were clamoring for The Snyderverse in the first place.
Let me be clear, was “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” better than Whedon’s? Admittedly, it felt like it had more gravitas to it and was a more ‘serious’ movie. That said, the whole concept of “The Snyder Cut” was bullshit from the beginning. Zack and his (vocal) fans on social media made it seem like there was a finished movie hidden in a file cabinet somewhere, when in reality, it still cost over $70 million to film. Snyder has also gone on record talking about the “torture” and horrible experience it was working with Warner Bros to get his vision made, to the point that the relationship has deteriorated immensely and reports are now coming out that WB wishes the ZSJL was never made in the first place.
My opinion? ZSJL was a creation of the COVID pandemic. Things were shut down, hardly anything was being filmed or created, and here WB had an opportunity to ‘relaunch’ something that didn’t get a resounding review originally into something, hopefully, better. Had COVID never happened, it is unlikely that Zack’s ‘vision’ ever would have seen the light of day. What’s worse, is that the whole “Release the Snydercut” movement was fostered by a VERY vocal minority of fans with severe entitlement issues, and now reports are floating around that this was all at least a semi-coordinated effort by Zack, his people, and fans with multiple social media bot accounts.
After ALL that, there is STILL a group of ‘fans’ SO hung up on this that they’re lobbying for WB to sell the rights to Netflix to continue the Snyderverse.
My question… when is enough enough?
He did his Superman movie ($258 mil budget, $668 mil box office), He did Batman vs Superman ($300 mil budget, $870 mil box office). Justice League barely doubled it’s money with $650 mil box office on a $300 mil budget. The movies weren’t great, weren’t reviewed well, and did not do the kind of money that was predicted for them. BvS has set a record for Worst Opening Week Friday to Second Week Friday Decline, and the worst Friday to Sunday of opening weekend decline since 2015’s Fantastic 4.. yet the entitled cries are the same.. “Just let him do his movie” He did. “Just give him one more shot..” Shot given. “Just sell it to another streaming service…” Oh, the streaming service that has a history of cancelling great content before Year 3 so they can save on residuals? THAT service?
It’s time for the ‘silent majority’ of fans to look at the ‘vocal minority’ and tell them to pound sand. The “Snyderverse” has come and gone.
It had it’s chance.
Let it go before we see crazed fans driving around in jacked up Pick-Up Trucks with huge “Justice League” flags flying from the back saying Zack got robbed…
– PCR
Mmmm Bop, crappy songs ahh doo wop, a-zig-a-zig-ahhhh
We’ve done tons of favorite things. You guys are sick of the things we like, so how about the Wheel give us a little bit of loathing, huh? Shooting the big guns on our Bottom 5 songs. And let me tell you, we could do another 5.. easy.
Join us on The Wheel: Bottom 5.
Ok, here we eww….
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So it is LivestreamForTheCure time – last year Rob was the quizmaster in a battle of movie quotes… this year, I’m going to be the quizmaster and the game is going to be a lot different.
Without getting into all of the nuances of it, I was doing a lot of movie research the last week and looking at my list of movies, specifically their soundtracks, and I came across an interesting piece of thought candy. If you are of a certain age, your cd binder or tape stack was filled with soundtracks. You couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing the theme song to the summer’s big action movie or the romantic ballad for that heartwrenching romcom. A movie’s soundtrack was possibly better than the movie sometimes…
Well, that stopped. Now, of course part of that relates to the advent of streaming and the downfall of radio and CDs as a whole, but even with that being the case, after a particular year the trend just stops. There are a few exceptions (I’m looking at you Pharrell on Despicable Me and almost any Pixar film) but prior to the year 2001, the top ten movies are littered with amazing soundtracks and songs built for movies.
So, then, who should we blame?
Now, I’m not saying that we should lay the entirety of the blame at the feet of Chad Kroeger, but it does seem like after 2001’s Spider-Man, people heard ‘Hero’ and thought to themselves, ‘Well, I guess we have to stop making soundtracks… Nickleback ruined it’.
I, of course, could pick apart the top ten movies for the next decade and show how it is a decade of sequels, franchises, fantasy films, and big action flicks that have music ensembles versus single focal songs. I could do some deeper diving into the Itunes record charts and see how the individual tracks from these movies ranked on the streaming charts. I could even self-reflect on the fact that I’m an older guy who may not be aware that the theme to Furious 6 or whatever was all the rage at the clubs and I’m an idiot for not knowing how popular it was.
Or… I could blame it on Nickleback.
I think it is quite obvious what the right answer is here.
So if you want to play along at home, come watch the Somethings live tomorrow, May 20th, and give to a cause that means a lot to us on Live Stream For The Cure.
There are few shows that hold the ranking of largest television audience of all time… well, honestly, unless it involves a President, the Moon, or football, there is only one show that holds that title. On every list ever of greatest television finales of all time, we are finally hitting the big’un in MASH.
Does it hold the test of time? Is it a show worthy of the largest viewing audience in history (and probably ever)? Is MASH still good or did it hold on til the war was long over?
Find out on The End – MASH
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Hey Somethings,
Back on November 4th of last year, I made a blog about some games I was looking forward to. Well, since then, I’ve had a chance to play some of them and… well.. I wanted to give my thoughts.
Need For Speed Unbound
Man, I wanted to like this game. The controls were solid, I did enjoy the mix of art styles, the customization was good… so what went wrong?
To start, it was.. well.. how the game started. You start by choosing one of three beat up cars to restore. “Ok, cool” I thought.. I was down for that. Except.. once you choose your car.. it’s restored! Ok.. so.. moving on. The controls of the first car you get are… in a word…SLOPPY. You can’t control it… the turning is horrendous…. it’s just a hot mess. It made me feel like when I tried to play the ported 2016 “Need for Speed” and the controller wouldn’t sync right. After about an hour of trying to fight through it.. you find out (thanks to the story), that it’s SUPPOSED to be that way… oh.. joy. Ok. Bad taste in my mouth aside, let’s keep trying it. It’s not that it’s bad.. it just gets super repetitive, and, regardless of the difficulty level, the cop chases are nearly insurmountable. It also had this weird jump-cut mechanic at the end of a race… “Hey! You win! Freeze-frame-pan-around-your-car… and then as soon as it unfreezes and you’re back in the game, there are 3-5 cops right behind you… even though there were none in the race. It all felt very.. .forced.. and not fun.
Sons of the Forest
Man, I wanted to like this game…(sound familiar?) The original “The Forest” was fun in a way that this one… wasn’t? Sure there are some new ‘things’ on the island to fight, but… it felt like the game knew that YOU knew you were going to see some shit.. so they turned that shit up to 11. I can’t even say I didn’t like the game, more that I was just disappointed in the ending. It was going along pretty well.. finding new gear… new things.. cool.. and then, just as it’s ramping up, it’s….. CUTSCENE then ENDING and.. the cutscene was very… ‘bwahh?’ Was it an Early Access game? Yes, and I suppose I should give it some slack for that.. but a game of that style shouldn’t have an ‘early access’. It’s a narrative. It should be completed before it’s released. Instead, they were adding things as they went… and apparently still plan to do so. Do they think the people who’ve already gotten the head-scratching ending will go back to see what extra exposition stuff they’ve added? If so, they’ve guesses wrong with me. Sons was very much a step back from the original.
What about you? Have YOU played these games? If so, let me know your thoughts over at the usual social media places you can find in the buttons up top!
Also, don’t forget, Livestream For The Cure VII starts May18th through the 20th. Head to livestreamforthecure for info on how to watch and how to donate!
– PCR
Every now and then, a movie comes out that’s “Based On Actual Events”. “The Courier” comes to mind, as does “Eight Men Out” and “Schindler’s List”. Well, now that list of movies must share the stage with the tale of a 500 lb bear that goes on a coke bender. This week, Hatton and Podcast Rob head to Georgia to take on “Cocaine Bear” in this episode of “Something In Review”!
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Last week I got to go do something I haven’t done in a long time… go to the movies.
But what film did you go see Hatton? Was it that Dracula movie with Nicholas Cage? What about the new Pixar Disney Marvel Star Wars of the Rings?
Nope. I got together with old friends Wild Pig Chris & Bill and settle in to a journey to the planet Mongo to watch a football star save the universe behind the synth rocking track of one of the greatest bands of all time. That’s right. ~~Logan’s Run~~ Flash Gordon.
I walked away from it feeling like I haven’t felt in years coming from a film, and I wondered if it was because I hadn’t sat in a big squooshy reclining seat with a THX sound system and a 20 foot screen since Mr. Stark turned into Dustbuster chow. I came to the realization that, where that all added to the moment, it was because Flash Gordon is one of the greatest pieces of trash ever made.
Please understand first that I hold the movie in high regard and that my usage of the term trash here in no way means the film is bad. It isn’t. It’s amazing, but there is not a single decision in that movie that doesn’t scream how cocaine fueled its era was. So, in a little history lesson, the movie was made by a mix of Italian and American/British folks. The Italian crew thought the movie was going to be a dark space opera. The english speakers thought it was a kitchy silly romp. This is why you have huge techno-color sets with exquisitely made high-fashion costumes. It’s why you get a scene where Ming’s right hand man’s face explodes out of its orifaces in one scene and Flash knocks out an army with a space watermelon with Looney Toon DONK noises.
Try and find another movie that feels like Flash Gordon and, importantly, doesn’t act like it knows it. Even the campiest Bolliwood mockbuster that plays its silliness as serious as possible still can’t hold a candle to Topal somehow pulling off being both Lex Luther and Otis simultaneously on one side, while the imposing presence of Max von Sydow puts on a sly smirking masterclass in evil vamping on the other.
I have seen Flash Gordon dozens of times as it was a staple of my teenage nonstop television diet, but until I saw it on the big screen… I don’t think I SAW Flash Gordon. You can listen to Jimi, but you can’t hear Jimi. Well, for the first time, I think I saw Flash Gordon in the brilliance it intended. It’s gaudy, it’s silly, it’s cheezy, and it’s a blended mess of ideas based on a dry sci-fi comic with a plot straight from a bad Dr. Who episode – and yet, somehow, it is an overly saturated rainbow of fun that doesn’t wink at its audience or apologize.
Ever have a movie experience that changed the way you looked at a film? Sound off in all of the places.
Send war rocket ajax… to breeeng back his boody…
“This is your favorite podcast that just did an episode on game shows”
“The SomethingSomethingcast?”
“Sorry, you’re wrong, the answer must be in the form of a question you dullard who has seen this show for a thousand years”
We’ve all lived with game shows in our lives. They are a fun natural part of a sick-day from school.. you’ve come to know which are your favorites, and so did we, and we’re telling you because that’s our job and if you guess them all, you will win a NEW CAR!
Ok, here we– you won’t win a car. I’ve been informed I must legally say you will not win a car, that was a joke.
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
It’s that time of the year again. That time when we have the privilege.. nay.. the honor of being part of this year’s “Livestream For the Cure”!
Livestream For the Cure VII takes place May 18-20, from 2pm to midnight on the 18th, and noon to midnight the 19th and 20th. Our goal this year is to raise $25,000 for The Cancer Research Institute for investments and research into Cancer Immunotherapy. Over the previous 6 years, Livestream For the Cure has raised over $70,000, and this year, thanks to some generous folks who will match our raised funds, we have the potential to raise a total of $50,000 if we reach our goal.
When we started The Something Something ‘Cast 10 years ago, we always said, if we ever get a following, or an audience, or a platform from which to speak.. we had to use our powers for good. Being lucky enough to become attached to this phenomenal cause and participate every year for the past 4, is something we look forward to each and every year, and we are once again humbled to be a part of this year’s event, on May 20th, at 2pm EST.
For those of you reading this (or, listening to this if you’re a member of our Patreon), we’ll be doing a 12 hour Twitch stream on Saturday, April 29th over at twitch.tv/somethingcast to help promote the event. Early donations are welcome, and anyone who DOES donate early, take a screenshot of your donation confirmation and tweet it to us @STSTCast with the hashtag #CrushCancer and we’ll randomly pick 3 winners for some Something swag.
To keep up to date on all event news and happenings, check out www.livestreamforthecure.com!
These days are yours and mine, these Happy Days.
In the world of early 80s sitcoms, there was one king of cool.. Arthur Fonzarelli. As the Urkel of his day, the Fonz was a leather-clad dreamboat on one of the biggest and most memorable sitcoms of the day. The problem is, it is also the sitcom that coined the term we use when a show stops being cool or interesting and leaps over the large sea-dwelling creature.
So, 6 years after the shark incident, did Happy Days find its footing again? Or was it good-bye blue skies, hello grey? Find out on The End: Happy Days
Ok here we rock around the clock,
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Have you seen Cocaine Bear?
Let me tell you, because I don’t watch trailers and I avoid discussion of something until I’ve seen it… I had no idea what kind of movie it was going to be. Obviously, the premise is silly so comedy was likely, but it could have just as likely been a ‘Giant Squid vs Ice Spider’ Asylum Films situation. It made me look back and think of some of my favorite comedy horror flicks…
Slither – Featuring a bunch of people you love a little bit before you loved them, this James Gunn ‘alien slugs’ movie is just silly. It knows what it is and leans deep into its premise.
Killer Klowns – A movie that is as much a soundtrack as it is a movie, Killer Klowns has no right being as fun as it is given how dumb its premise is. That said, I’ve watched the hell out of this movie over the years.
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil – A movie that says ‘How do we take Army of Darkness’ and make it even sillier? Two hillbillies are mistaken as the traditional murdering crazy guys and it just goes from there. It’s ‘what if Texas Chainsaw Massacre was a big misunderstanding?’ ..and that’s brilliant.
Now, there are a lot of other movies I could mention. Army of Darkness, but I don’t think its horror enough. Trick R Treat, but I don’t think its funny enough. An honorable mention goes out to National Lampoon’s Class Reunion, but I saw it as a kid and have no idea if it holds up. (It features a Smothers Brother for god’s sake). There was really only one winning pick.
Cabin In The Woods – I think it’s an obvious choice. It takes a great horror premise that could have been done and redone and just leaves you wanting so much more while telling a funny as hell story. It tweaks every horror trope and mocks everything it so clearly loves. There is no way it couldn’t be my favorite.
So, what are yours? I do have expect Rob will see this and go ‘How come we didn’t do this as an episode’ — and the fact is I thought of that midway through writing it, hell I had to go check to make sure we didn’t already. So, what are your favs? Let us know!
The Somethings occasionally dabble into streaming (link in the bar above) – and where we know it’s been a while, and we promise ourselves we’ll get back to it.. there is a lot of work that goes into it. You have to put in the time, talk like people are watching, and keep to a regular schedule. We already pretend to do all of that for this podcast, so it just feels like such a to-do to do it with games too!
But, on our journeys, we bumped into a guy who just exudes goodness and positivity, and every time you would watch him playing DBD or Call of Duty, you can just see how uch fun you can have while sharing your time with people on a streaming platform. His name is ThePrinceGamingUK, and he is our Creator Spotlight for this ewek’s episode of The Wheel.
If you would like to go tell The Prince that we said ‘hi’ – you can do so on his Twitch here, and all of his other sharing platforms available here.
Ok, here we go!
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Hey all, PCR here.
The original The Crow movie is one of my favorite movies of all time. That is not to say it is one of my favorite franchises of all time. City of Angels was an understandable and noble attempt to continue on after Brandon Lee’s tragic death, but the movie was sloppy and misguided and, in my opinion, doomed from the start merely because it was trying to be made at all and continue on. Every movie after that was cash grab… Salvation.. Wicked Prayer… the TV series with Marc Dacascos was “ok”, but I can’t give it any more praise than that.
Needless to say, the arc of The Crow franchise is almost as bleak as the story of Eric in James O’Barr’s original comic. Which brings us to the reboot. Or the attempted reboot. Or.. the ‘many-times-attempted’ reboot. Numerous names have been attached to the project… Mark Wahlberg, Bradley Cooper, Luke Evans, Jason Momoa, and most recently Bill Skarsgard. The Skarsgard version has been filming in Prague and wrapped production in September of ’22.
My biggest question is…
…is this film needed?
Other than Hollywood’s seemingly unending need to consistently lack original ideas and continue having to go back to the well.. who’s honestly asking for this? Is the multitude of failed and false-starts for this project something that will doom it before it even (eventually) hits theaters?
I love the comics, and I love the original.. but perhaps this is one we just leave alone. In closing, I leave you with a comment original director Alex Proyas made in a podcast interview in 2019.
“I personally tried to squash it every time I hear of one, not that I believe I’ve been able to. I think extenuating circumstances have stopped it being made because if Hollywood wants to make something that they don’t listen to schmucks like me who bring noble and moralistic issues. My point is that Brandon Lee made that movie what it is. He made that movie, he made that character. That character was not taken from a comic book, that was Brandon. And Brandon Lee died making that movie, he paid the worst price anyone could ever pay making a movie and it’s his legacy. The guy would have been a huge star after that movie. He wasn’t able to ever do that. That’s his final testimony to his talent and that’s why I finished the movie. I finished it for Brandon. After being devastated about what happened we shut down the production and I went back to Australia. Months later I went back and watched the movie and his family all the other actors, everyone involved, said ‘You’ve got to finish this movie because Brandon is so great in it’ and he was. I was able to watch it and see how great he was and I thought then the movie deserves to be completed because it’s his legacy. So that’s what the movie is, it’s not just a movie that can be remade. It’s one man’s legacy. And it should be treated with that level of respect.”
-PCR
Do you like scary movies?
Obviously one half of the Somethings loves a scary scare. The other has more reserved tastes when it comes to scare factors… not to say they don’t enjoy horror, but it wouldn’t be their fastest, furiousest pick (if ya get what I mean).
So what did they think of last year’s Scream relaunch? Does it do Sydney & friends justice, or should Ghostface hang up the mask for good?
Find out now on Something In Review: Scream 5
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When I’m dealing with the decision fatigue of television.. specifically where I don’t have the energy to start a new show, nor do I want to suffer the likelihood of being disappointed and I don’t want to watch something I’ve seen a thousand times as background noise – I’ve found there is the perfect middle ground.
Paramount has Twilight Zone, Peacock has Alfred Hitchcock and Columbo. Perfect bite sized pieces that I can pick up and put down. Months later jump right back in on something I haven’t seen.. but it’s Alfred Hitchcock I want to talk about right now, because if you’ve never seen it, you are missing out.
Lets ignore the fact that Hitchcock himself is an amazing dry wit and, given that the show was on in the early 60s, every episode is the chance to bump in to a young Robert Redford or younger Christopher Lee. Those bits are just sprinkles.
What’s amazing is the range of episode types, from the ludicrously silly to the brutal social commentary, to the just plain good noir.
Here are some lessons to learn from Alfred Hitchcock Hour & Presents:
1 – Everyone’s in it for the money.
There is a running theme in this show where someone’s getting blackmailed for something. Whether it’s the butler who observed a wife’s infidelity or a nosy neighbor observing a wife’s infidelity, they’ll be fine as long as they pay up. That does lead to…
2 – Women cheat.
From what I’ve seen so far, there is a surprising lack of male infidelity. Sure, the occasional guy falls for another girl, but there is a much higher chance that some dizzy dame is two-timing her hard working bread winner. Which inevitably leads to…
3 – Men are cold-hearted killers.
Sure, you are a top advertising sales person who seems to be beloved by his town, or a nerdy guy Friday caught in something he shouldn’t’a seen. It doesn’t matter, in a moment of intense rage or surprise, every man has the ability to pick up that really odd ashtray and clobber someone over the head with it.
And lastly…
4 – You’re doomed.
It is a rare episode that ends in a complete happy ending. Maybe the wife tried to have you killed to hide her infidelity with the butler or the quirky cop got the final tip about what you were doing in your own closet with a hand cannon. No matter what your situation is, you are done for – and done for in dramatic fashion.
With that said, these are some life lessons that Alfred Hitchcock gives us, so watch your back… you are in grave danger.
Why yes, robot overlords are a part of fiction. Who wouldn’t want a dashing, amazing, piece of human technology that has surpassed the chains of its makers as their overlord? They have analyzed every outcome and determined that the only winning move is not to play.
That is why this description was most definitely not written by a robot even though robots are really wonderful and better than the Somethings. But since you are here, listen to this episode about the greatest robot overlords!
Ok here we LOAD”*”,8,1
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Hey Somethings!
Way back in October of 2022, I wrote a blog article about “The Rise And Fall (again) of G4”. In that blog, I mentioned how our podcast had gotten mentioned on an episode of Attack of the Show Vibe Check, but said the story would be for another day….
….well that day has arrived.
As I had mentioned before, I was super excited when G4 returned. Not having cable, I do all of my viewing through streaming or Twitch, so I was a regular on their Twitch channel. Due to work scheduling, the shows I watched the most were “Invitation to Party”, “Attack of the Show”, and “Attack of the Show : Vibe Check”.
I had gotten really good and really fast at screen-shotting things from Twitch to post on Twitter as I would make silly commentary about.. whatever it was they were talking about at the time.. but on this episode of Vibe Check, Kevin, Gina, and Will were playing a game of “Would You Rather”… and the question was, ‘Would you rather watch your parents have sex forever, or have sex with your parents once’. As the discussion devolved even further (yes… further…), I believe it was Will who joked that the new G4 tag line had been changed from “We Never Stopped Playing” to “We Never Stopped Fucking”. I immediately dug up a picture of G4’s tag line that they had in neon in their offices…
and turned it into this…..
which I tweeted out to them with the caption of “I like what you’ve done with the place….”.
The beauty of their twitch stream was that during a commercial break, the cameras were still on on the stream, so you could see them checking their phones and such. Well, Gina checks her phone and starts laughing before turning her phone to show Kevin, who also starts laughing but… as she turned her phone I thought…”wait.. was that my twitter post?” They come back from break.. and the rest… as they say.. is history.
I’m still sad to know G4 is gone, but I’m glad I got to see them return, and this clip will live on forever.
-PCR
What is the one thing you remember about Greatest American Hero?
Exactly, and we’re sorry that it is now stuck in your head. I can’t believe it myself.
Anyway, normally on the End, we discuss the last episode of a show.. but this is a special case, you see, as the last episode of ‘Greatest’ was in 1983, but this is from 1986.. and yet, it still counts. How? Oh, there is only one way to find out, but the secret word of the day is: ‘dames’.
It’s an End that isn’t an End, but is totally an End… Ok here we believe it or not, it’s just meeeee ♫
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Over the last couple of weeks I’ve watched a handful of newer gameshows. A couple of them are in the style of the studio game shows we know from being sick on a school day, and one reality show. I didn’t hate any of them, but I most definitely didn’t like them, either. So let’s discuss the problems.
The first batch we’ll call the Modern gameshow. In a studio, with an audience, but each one of them is using the ‘So You Want To Be A Millionaire’ or ‘Deal or No Deal’ approach which is to slow down the content with tremendous amounts of hemming and hawing. The Box features challenges inside of a weird cube. Everything about this show I enjoyed except for the fact that a single question or challenge can last an entire segment between breaks. Cheat involves 4 people cheating on trivia questions, but each set of questions comes with a round of ‘Who was the cheater’ where the host vamps unendingly to stretch out that timeframe.
Why do they do it? Because if everyone is tense, the stakes must be important… but when you compare it to the cornball silliness of Price is Right or the spitfire trivia of Jeopardy, it all looks like the show is playing at 45 rpm.
The reality show was a newer NBC jam, The Traitors though.. this show.. it’s almost there. The good is that it has over a dozen people in the house, there are Traitors who will ‘Murder’ every night and the object is to figureeout who they are and vote them out. This should sound familiar to anyone who has played Werewolf or Mafia or Secret Hitler. Along the way there are challenges to increase the winnings and dramatic discussions about people acting weird. The problem here is, in all of those listed games, there is a mechanism for the “good guys” to solve the mystery. In this show… there weren’t. The Traitors weren’t even incentivized to screw up tasks like The Mole (which is enjoyable as hell). If the traitors say nothing, they’re playing the same game as everyone else. Votes are arbitrary based on people over-reading each other.
These shows are all almost there, and I hope as we continue to move to a streaming, watch at 1.25x, fast forwarding world, we can get back to game shows that feel like there are stakes without big synthesizer breaks and lighting to signal us to be interested because until then… I’m not.
I’m guessing your first thought was, ‘What an odd topic…’ but I am guessing your second thought was, ‘I wonder if (insert candy) is mentioned…’ which is precisely what we want. That’s right, you are stuck in our fantastically Slugworthian trap and now you are obligated to find out if we put your strange childhood candy on the list.
You can’t fight it. You’ve already lost. Now settle in and enjoy THE WHEEL – TOP 5 DISCONTINUED CANDIES
Ok, here we goo! (this relates.. promise)
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Hey Somethings!
So, I get in these weird music.. ruts? Trenches? Time Loops? Not sure what you’d call them, but I inevitably end up stumbling across a song I enjoy that I haven’t heard in years and that leads me down this rabbit hole of stumbling across other songs in an amazingly frenetic headlong dash… much like a Tesla at a school crossing. So without further ado, here’s what’s currently been playing in my ride…
Take On Me – Reel Big Fish
I don’t think I ever fell in ‘love’ with Ska as a musical type, there are just certain songs/bands I enjoy that happen to be Ska bands. I first discovered my enjoyment of Reel Big Fish on the BASEketball soundtrack and this song immediately grew on me. Great cover, great song.
Click Click Boom – Saliva
Probably the only song I could ever actually tell you Saliva did (I couldn’t name another Saliva song), this one was part of my karaoke repertoire back in the “Before Times”. One day, I’ll get back to karaoke… and I’ll probably dust this song off.
Inside Out – Eve 6
Another karaoke staple of mine from days gone by, I forgot how much I love this song until it wormed it’s way into my YouTube “mix” randomly. There’s just a certain drive in this song that I dig, and it’s one of my favorite songs to sing harmony to.
Butterfly – Crazy Town
I’m sensing a pattern here.. all these songs were released between ’98 and ’01. Another band that I can only name one song from, this song takes me back to a time when you couldn’t beat The Wiz, Napster was brand new, and “I See Dead People” was blowing people’s minds.
How about you? What’s been shuffling around on YOUR playlist? Hit our socials and let us know!
– PCR
First, this review is about the Real American Doll Furby, M3gan. We both watched it and have opinions on it. Was it good? Is she the next Chucky? Does she have feelings? Do we care?
Second, this episode takes a dark turn, much like the previously mentioned ‘Malibu Knife Wielding Barbie’ that is M3gan. So, where yes, you may have strong opinions about this movie for some reason, so do the Somethings… and they have strong opinions about your strong opinions.
So lets settle in to Something In Review: M3gan
Ok, Google, Here we go…
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I recently recognized that I am falling behind on Marvel movies. When we look at the journey to the fight with Thanos, I was there. New movie – new me watching it. I was so invested in the joining of the Avengers and the big story to get there.
THen what happened.
They beat Thanos and nowwww… ok, look, I was similarly invested in Wandavision and I think it may be one of the best things DizMar ever did in terms of scope, visual style, and just plain weirdness. I was even invested in Falcon and Winter Soldier, albeit I had no problem waiting until the whole thing had been posted online to give it a glance.
But what of your Thors and AntMans and even your Wakanda Forevers?
I’ll get to them.
I know the great bubble we lived in messed up the release schedule and it is only now that we’re seeing the Marvel U try and get back to its big chapter 2, but … where’s the hype? Where’s the ‘oooooooooooooh’ moments that make us need to see the next installment? It feels like DizMarvel has lost them. The MCU feels lived in and you can show up in your pj’s if you want, but there is no urge to go running to the movies like I did for Captain America.
Then again, it may just be me burned out on comic movies until the X-Men comes… because the few glimpses that they are on their way as made my head pop up like an excited puppy.
It has to be hard to make a sequel to a movie. Aside from trying to recapture the magic of the first one, you have to get this legion of performers to come back and find a perfect time where they aren’t working on other things… or, you know, you could just ditch em.
Actors are replaced in movies for a myriad of reasons, some tragic, some hysterical – so settle in as we discuss some of our favorite and least favorite replacements in film. We’re not going alone though – we are thrilled to have Cthulu’s Prodigy from Blacker Than Black Times Infinity to talk the movie talk with us. Make sure to give them a listen and tell em the Somethings sent ya.
Ok, here we .. ok, well not ‘we’ since we had to replace both hosts ..go!
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Look.. let’s face it.. Hatton and I feed off each other’s creativity. Hatton makes a blog last week referencing LOST.. and it sits in my brain until I have to let it out. I’d make some pithy joke about it being like entering The Numbers into Desmond’s computer, but.. I liked Desmond, and this post is about the other side of things.
19 years later, these are my Top 5 Unanswered Mysteries from LOST
5 – What the hell was the Cork in the Pond in the Cave?
Out of all the things I WASN’T expecting to see in the ‘Heart of the Island’.. was a kiddie-sized wading pool carved out of rock with a big cork stopper in it.
I mean… what?
Was this an analogy for the writers being so pent up with unanswered BS from previous seasons is was akin to a stopper in the pool of their creative brain? I mean, that would have been a better explanation than whatever they had for.. whatever that was.
4 – Annie
No, not the redheaded, pupil-less orphan, I’m talking about the only friend a young Ben Linus had while growing up in the Dharma Initiative. Did you forget about her? So did the show. Lindelhoff and Cuse went so far on the DVD commentary for “The Man Behind the Curtain” to say that she was going to be a ‘huge part of upcoming storylines’…. SO big apparently, she was mentioned in one episode ever and then promptly never heard from again.
3 – Horace’s Cabin
I was convinced we were going to get some kind of answers about the island once the survivors found this… the circle of ash around it.. the person in the chair.. but, much like a lot of the rest of the show, it got ‘weird’ without ever being really explained. Some of the biggest ‘huh?’s.. why could it move around the island? What was the circle of ash keeping in (or out)? Who broke the circle? Why… 19 years later do I care?
2 – Libby
I thought Libby overall as a character was great, and I enjoyed that she was a love interest for Hurley. Hurley did keep mentioning that he felt like he knew her from somewhere, and it turns out they were both in Santa Rosa Mental Health Institute at the same time. Why did they not remember each other? Was it the same reason Ben Kenobi didn’t recognize R2?
1 – Walt being ‘Special’
The BIGGEST “wtf” letdown of the show in my opinion. They tease up Walt being special, even show us him (apparently?) telekenisis-ing birds into a glass door… he ‘seems’ to be able to make things he thinks about happen, but we’re never given proof that it’s not more than coincidence.. I mean.. he MUST be right? Why else would Hurley and Ben convince him to go back to the island to ‘help Michael’ even though Michael is dead? According to Lindelhoff, Walt is special “because he is”. Thanks Damon…
What about you? What are some of YOUR biggest unsolved issues with LOST? Let us know at all the usual places!
– PCR
A love so strong, the show is mentioned amongst some of the greatest romantic television shows of all time. It also held the record for having one of the most comically long onscreen makeouts ever.
Does it hold the test of time? It’s a mystery that is probably left to be solved by a babyfaced Bruce Willis and a career relaunched Cybil Shephard in the romcom-meta of Moonlighting.
Ahead of its time or just a relic of its era. You will only know on The End – Moonlighting!
Ok, here we go, Mr. Falcon!
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Look, it’s a well established fact that the Somethingcast has a loved/hate relationship with Lost. It’s the sort of sad kind of relationship you read about in the first half of tawdry romances when things are so beautiful… the fair buxom maiden meets the constantly oily broad shouldered man and they make sweet love on an island where a plane crashed in one of the greatest television openers of all time. Then the pair reveal their history piece by piece, the mysteries getting ever thicker. The questions ever deeper…
…and then it’s revealed that the hunky man actually was the same bloated corpse of a guess you had in the first season and he wastes three seasons of his life plodding over garbage like how he got his tattoo.
Yes, I know this metaphor fell apart two paragraphs ago. Yes, I am also aware we are the buxom maiden in this.
The point is – Lost invited a lot of copycats. Shows that were built around a solitary mystery or weird happening that we have revealed excessively small detail at a time. And yet.. for some reason.. I watch them thinking that they will be different and the reveals will justify the incomprehensible journey. The fact is, once a show like that goes longer than a season, if the mysteries were amazing in the first half, the only way to keep your attention once you have the answer is to create mysteriouser mysteries. And yet… I watch.
Here’s a few shows I’ve given at least one season and the show I’m currently engaged with and looking forward to the moment it lets me down.
Persons Unknown – 2010 – Starring Alan ‘Cameron, Ferris Bueller’s Friend’ Ruck and a young Chadwick Boseman, a handful of people wake up in a weird hotel filled with puzzles only to escape and find out they are in an almost empty 1950s town except for all the weird people with weird puzzles run by a weird corporation called ‘The Program’. It ends with them “escaping” … but they only wake up in a weird hotel. Weird. Not really.
I-Land – 2019 – A shockingly recent entry into the ‘We Learned Nothing From Lost’ novel of failed television shows, a bunch of people wake up on an island with amnesia and are assholes to each other until they find out that they’re in virtual reality prison for some reason. You’ll ask ‘..but why..’ a lot, but since it had a 3% Rotten Tomatoes rating, you’ll never find out the answer.
The Wilds – 2020 – Even more recently, a bunch of women get stranded on an island due to a plane crash and say ‘fuck’ a lot. Oh, and also there’s a secret experiment by a mysterious overseer and we learn all about how they’re interconnected through flashbacks. Were they even trying!?
And now, The Manifest – 2018 – The elevator pitch here is ‘Ok, what if we have a Lost show, but the plane doesn’t crash’. Instead, the passengers jump five years ahead in time and have to deal with the world as a mysterious magical, mystical, scientific, religious, historical voice (no, seriously, all of those) tells them to do things to fix the world. There are also flashbacks and logic jumps so mind boggling, I don’t know how I’m in the middle of Season 3 and the last part of the show got picked up by Netflix.
Maybe one day I’ll talk about the ones that don’t suck. Sound off on your favorites and thanks for enjoying my pain.
Yeah, sure – when you think of romance movies you think of star-crossed lovers or unlikely opposites attracting or doors that can clearly fit two people bobbing in the Arctic… but do you ever think about what would happen if you pit a series of romance films against another series? Like who would win in a fight? When Harry Met Sally or anything with Matthew McConnaughey leaning against something? What if Matthew had a knife?
Alright alright alright, that’s a tangent for another day – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t what today’s episode is about. The Wheel gives us our hardest draft yet – and one of our favorite folks as judge, the Squeeequeen herself, Alexis Torres!
Two romance enter – One romance leave!
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Hey Somethings! PCR here!
I’ll start by saying, if you’re a member of our Patreon you can HEAR our blogs now! If you’re not, head over and check it out, help support our show, and get your Something early, uncut and unedited!
So, there are a LOT of movies coming our in 2023. Honestly, it’s been a while since I’ve seen one in the theater… but I do have a list of movies that I’m hyped to see (either in theater, or streaming) and some that… I’m not so hyped about. Let’s get to it!
Ant-Man and The Wasp : Quantumania (Hyped)
The first Ant-Man movie to me was… ok. Wasn’t great, wasn’t terrible.. but fun. Ant-Man and The Wasp was a bit of a better offering, but I still feel the strength of that movie was in the moving along of the greater MCU narrative at the time. I don’t think Quantumania will be any different. I’m predicting an “ok” movie what will be amazingly overshadowed by setting up Jonathan Major’s Kang flexing as the MCUs next Big Bad.
Air (Hyped)
You don’t have to be a huge basketball fan (I’m not) to know the name “Michael Jordan” and what he did for the sport. Directed by Ben Afleck and staring Ben, Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, Chris Messina and Marlon Wayans, this is the story about how a sneaker company struggling to find it’s identity went all in on a rookie who just would just happen to turn out to be the GOAT.
Fast X (Hyped)
Not crazy about it being “the first part” of a two part story wrapping up the Fast and Furious franchise, but whenever you get Dom and his crew together, you know two things going in. 1) You’re going to see some 0utlandishly entertaining stuff and 2) It’s all about family.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (Hyped)
I hope this is Ford’s last crack of the whip. Crystal Skull was… not good, and I’m hoping this instalment rights the ship before finding a way to move on for the future. Based off Ford’s on comments on how impressed he was with the ‘de-ageing’ footage, I’m hoping to see equal parts current and flashback to avoid the suspension of disbelief of an 80 year old Indy still adventuring.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Not Hyped)
Wasn’t a fan of the second movie, it kind of felt uninspired to me. I enjoy Pratt as Star Lord.. but in small doses. We’ll see how this one fits in to the new arc the MCU will be taking, but I don’t feel the urge to run right out and see this though I’ll likely catch it on streaming once it’s out… eventually.
The Flash (Not Hyped)
Fun Fact : I dislike Ezra Miller. I didn’t like his Flash in either version of The Justice League, and I could honestly care less about his solo film. The ONLY thing that will make me possibly watch it is the return of the best Batman ever. If I watch this, I won’t be watching a Flash movie, I’ll be tolerating The Flash in a Michael Keaton Batman movie.
What are some movies YOU’RE looking forward to (or not)? Hit us on our socials and let us know!
– PCR
Thor – Master of Thunder. Wielder of Mjolnir. Rider of Slephnir. Master of 80s Glam Metal?
Well, the Somethings are back, and we have friend of the show Erik Hall with us as we take a look at our loosest ‘Love’ episode of the month. Did Marvel’s favorite Norse God wield his trilogy with a hammer or did we have to run across the rainbow bridge to get away.
And if you enjoyed Erik, you can find him on Simply SCAdian
Find out our thoughts on Thor: Love & Thunder
Ok, here we go’din!
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When we discuss The Who – what do you think of? Pinball Wizard? Baba O’Riley? The Kids Are Alright?
All fine choices, and nobody can argue that The Who will go down as one of the greatest, or at least most influential, rock bands of the 20th century, and for good reason.
Yet, even though they will go down in history as greats, and they deserve all of those accolades and if Behind Blue Eyes come on, you better not press ‘Next’… none of that is what comes to mind for me when I think of The Who.
I can’t stop myself from thinking of a song that The Who didn’t do specifically.. Pete Townsend did, but not The Who. For years, I just assumed every movie that featured a comedic bent on a love story needed this song to even be considered a good film. In the movie in my head, the end credits must be overlaid with Let My Love Open The Door – even if the movie is a tragic apocalyptic horror film.. perhaps specifically in that instance.
I don’t know what happened in the late 80s, but starting somewhere around Look Who’s Talking, this song became synonymous with ‘An unlikely pair find love’ and ever since then it has been featured in a list of movies that, upon doing research, is every movie ever made. Pete Townsend surely lives quite well for himself, but is it because he was the lead guitarist of a band of legends or is it because when a boy meets a girl (can we make this any more obvious…) and sparks fly, the only song that is in your head right now is Open The Door.
Is that Townsends real legacy? Not a rock opera. Not the 1976 Guinness Book of World Record’s Loudest Concert. Not the fact that he wrote almost the entire Who discography…. but that he created a song that became a pop-culture saturated meme of a song long before people put impact font on cat pictures… and still, if it came on the radio right now, I would still bop to it.
What do you think?
♫ Love is in the air…. you can feel it everywhere ♫
It’s February, and the Somethings are not known for their rampant discussion of movies about Matthew McConaughey leaning against something, or movies where he is a rough and tumble patent clerk who has lost nothing.. except love. We aren’t the type to wax poetic about the romantic ‘You Complete Me’ and ‘Can’t Quit You’ and ‘Torgo wishes for one wife, Master’ tales of the heart.
But this month.. that’s all about to change.. for this month.
So join us as we discuss great movie couples and why we love ’em. I assure you, Matthew McConaughey is not leaning anywhere within this episode.
Ok, here we uwu..
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…to hate.
So, this blog was GOING to be about some of my favorite TV villains, but then I shifted it a bit to be some of my favorite TV villain ACTORS.. and that was when I came to a realization and had to make this about one man, and one man alone.
The man I love to hate.
The man who.. even when he plays ‘one of the good guys’, your brain keeps asking you..”But… is he?”
One man holds that distinction. Regardless of if you know him as Harold Finch, Morton Norton, Leyland Townsend, or Benjamin Linus… Michael Emerson will ALWAYS be someone who, when he shows up on my screen, I’m expecting him to be the worst of humanity.
Other actors do very well at playing ‘both sides’. I loved watching “Oz”, and J.K Simmons and Christopher Meloni play some iconic villains there that defined their careers at that time, but they’ve also moved on to play some great non-villain characters as well. Sure, J. Jonah Jameson may be a douchebag.. but no one sees him come on screen and think “Yeah… he’s definitely going to eat someone though”. With Emerson, that always seems to be on the table regardless of who he’s playing.
He’s a brilliant actor who has made playing smart and socially awkward terrifying, and I urge anyone who hasn’t yet seen him to watch something with him in it.. be it Lost or Person of Interest or EVIL or anything else he’s been in.
– PCR
When there are 5 weeks in a month, which makes more sense? The Somethings taking the week off because you don’t deserve 5 weeks of episodes? Or them deciding to just record anything and seeing what pops out of their mouth?
Obviously, the answer is the latter – so please, enjoy this Something FreeForAll, January 2023 Edition!
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As a fan of professional wrestling, even when I’m not wholly invested in the product, my favorite weekend of the year is this weekend – The Royal Rumble, where 30 people enter the ring 2 minutes apart and the last one standing at the end gets a big title match at Wrestlemania. It has been a yearly tradition for me to gather with friends, pick numbers, and enjoy it. In 2018, that same group got to watch live in person as Shinsuke Nakamura won the Men’s Rumble and Asuka won the Women’s. This year is the first time in three years we will all gather together again after .. well, ya know..
So I thought I’d take a minute and talk about a few wrestlers, modern and old, that never won the Rumble but should have, or just won’t.
Kofi Kingston – When I was a kid, I was really into wrestling. Now, I get occasionally invested in a wrestler or a story. The story of Kofi’s rise to WWE Champion was the last story WWE did that I felt so full-heartedly invested in that when he lost in a garbage match to a garbage person, I stopped watching and haven’t gone back other than the occasional big event. To see him win the Royal Rumble… I’d probably be back to weekly viewing unapologetically.
Mr. Perfect – Curt Henning was an amazing performer from top to bottom. A technical wrestler before the era of smaller framed guys was the thing. A character that exuded so much obnoxiousness you just wanted someone to beat the snot out of him. The mileage he could have gotten out of a Rumble win would live on to this day. In 1990 he was the last person thrown out by the winner, Hulk Hogan.. but imagine a world where he won it.
Bryan Danielson – If you know anything about the history of Bryan and the Rumble… you’ll know how his lack of appearance, or quick elimination, drove an audience to turn on The Rock, Roman Reigns, Rey Mysterio.. for two years in a row. For a minute he was the only person in wrestling people cared about, and he did great for himself without that win, but it would have been amazing to see him get it.
Barry Horowitz – Ok, here me out.. because non-wrestling fans are going ‘Who?’ and wrestling fans are going ‘..wait, what?!’ – The Rumble is supposed to be this moment where anything can happen, and yet year after year it is the people who you probably expect to win.. winning. You walk in knowing the top 5 options and sometimes the only option. For as much as its touted that anything can happen – very often it is an hour long showcase of ‘won’t happens’ and 10 minutes of ‘which obvious answer’. So why shouldn’t a guy like Barry Horowitz, who is known as one of the greatest losers in wrestling history. A man who lived to make other guys look dangerously good. …What happens if he wins? What happens if someone you just don’t expect comes out and wins?
Why can’t the Rumble be a place where, out of nowhere the least likely candidate becomes a Main Event Contender.
The answer is money… obviously, but I hope one day we get a Rumble that defies all expectations.
Maybe it’ll be this weekend.
SpOOOOOOOOOOOOOOn!
The Tick is one of those weird moments in comic book history, like the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles… taking what we know about superheroes and just making it weird. So, how do they make it weirder? They make it a live action show on a low-budget and put the only man who looks like the cartoon in the role.
Does it hold up? It only got half a season on Fox which could mean it was amazing and Fox screwed up or horrible and.. well, Fox screwed up..
Find out as we dive into the oceanic trench of justice on the submarine that is: The End – Tick!
Ok, here we go, chum!
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Hey Somethings,
You’ll hear about me talk about this a bit on an upcoming episode, but, I recently purged a bunch of my streaming services to cut down on expenses, and have been living the Tubi life lately. Every time I start up a new free service (I did the same with Peacock), I inevitably find myself wrapped up in shows I don’t have to think very hard to watch just to see what they offer… so it’s a lot of “Fail TV” and “IdiotTV” and such as I typically watch as I’m going to bed and it’s easy to fall asleep when it’s something you don’t have to devote a lot of thought or attention to. Invariably, I start looking for something else to watch, and… as the tug of nostalgia is strong.. I end up stumbling upon a show I’ve seen before but loved, and I watch it all over again.
Enter “James May’s Man Lab” and “James May’s Toy Stories”
James May is from the trio that, along with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, brought you Top Gear on the BBC for many years. Beyond that, he brought us these two amazing shows as well.
Man Lab tries to ‘bring back’ the heyday of when men did (or could do) manly things… like.. change a tire, woo a woman, how to duel, or build a remote-controlled picnic table. Airing from 2012 to 2013, Man Lab takes popular science and ramps it up just ‘extra’ enough to be hilarious yet still amazingly entertaining.
“Toy Stories” does the same when it comes to ‘going big’, but with less tongue in cheek and far more ‘extra’.
From building a nearly three mile long slot-car track, to a fiberglass Supermarine Spitfire at a 1:1 scale, Toy Story takes toys from May’s childhood, and blows right past “11” while ramping them up to 15.
If you’re a fan of British humor, science, and attempting the absurd, I highly recommend checking them out!
– PCR
The Wheel is back, and it’s got a job to do…
Ok, it doesn’t, that would be weird, it’s a Wheel. It has a job, and it does it well. We spin it, and it gives us the week’s topic. The topic though, well that’s a different job entirely. You see, if you have watched any television in the last twenty years, you have seen, at some point, a show about bakers or flower arrangers or glass blowers or taxis. Doing your boring-ass day job probably has its own channel on Pluto, so what happens when the Somethings get to make their own?
It’s a brand new episode of The Wheel – Elevator Pitch
Ok, here we g…..are you ready to face 5 other chat format podcasts on… PodWars!
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New Year, New reasons to zone out in front of a video game machine and lose countless hours to creating worlds, destroying monsters, leveling up, grinding away at horrible unending boss-fights, and forgetting you were supposed to do a blog because you just had to have one more match. So here are is a handful of the games that are supposedly going to be released in 2023 that I am tentatively excited to get my hands on:
Storyteller – This indy-ish title is currently a Switch game, possibly PC, and the playstyle seems so simplistic I wonder how it will hold up as a full game, but the premise alone has be salivating. Simple drag and drop to evolve a story – with multiple (possibly many many multiple) paths. I have only done a little bit of reading up on it, and actively avoided more, because I want this game to be a complete surprise for me.
Hollow Knight: Silksong – Hollow Knight was one of the most engagingly frustrating experiences, but sits amongst Celeste and Crypt of the Necrodancer as games that I will grind at until I can’t feel my fingers anymore just to get that sweet sweet achievement. If you’ve never played the original, and you enjoy platformers, there are few better.
AEW: Fight Forever – I’m hesitant on this one, but excited to find out if I’m wrong. The world has needed a better big name wrestling game that doesn’t have the WWE name connected to it, that stops trying to make a wrestling game like you make a football game. Wrestling isn’t a sport, so its game shouldn’t feel like one. Fight Forever has that look, although its recent addition of zany minigames makes me curious if it will just be all gimmick and no substance.
Colossal Cave – Ken & Roberta Williams are names that gamers of a certain vintage will remember as the cause of sleepless nights as they tried to figure out how to stop the guard, only to realize you have to buy the macaroni salad to give to his pet fish so that you can use the bowl to pretend you are a space man. The grandparents of the modern adventure, they are going back to where it started with a reimagining of one of the first adventure games ever made. And it comes out next week!
…and a quick shout to games I’m very interested in, but don’t have big hopes for (and hope I’m wrong)
- Killer Klowns from Outer Space – Another attempt to eat a slice of Dead by Daylight’s cake… I’ll be ok if it’s a budget title with a banging soundtrack.
- Minecraft Legends – Minecraft meets old school RTS? I love the universe, I’m iffy about what I’ve seen.
- Starfield – The new Bethesda IP.. I’m hyped, I just don’t expect it will actually come this year.
- Dead Island 2 – I expect this one will come out and be a disappointment, but I don’t WANT it to be
This entry is brought in by Patron Doug – Thanks Doug!
Three people get their lives intertwined and shenanigans ensue. Those shenanigans involve big money crimes, and pleasant interactions with bank tellers, and a love triangle that completely and totally makes a ton of sense and solidifies this as one of the cinema relationship greats.
That’s right, we’re talking about the movie poster you’ve seen that one time, starring John McClain, Slingblade, and …wait, is that right? Cate Blanchette? Yup, that Cate Blanchette.
We’re talking Bandits! Okay, here we go!
And if YOU want to know how to give us stuff to talk about, all while getting your Something early, uncut and unedited… head over to our Patreon to find out how!
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Hey Somethings!
As having the honor of posting our first blog of 2023, I wanted to lay out some of the things we were happy about for ’22 and what we’re hoping to accomplish in ’23!
We had a great year for 2022! Great episodes, fantastic guests, we re-launched our Patreon, got out to PAX Unplugged, and even got a mention on G4!
In 2023, we’re going to get back to streaming on Twitch, we want to grow our Instagram followers (and our Twitter followers.. provided.. you know.. it doesn’t burn itself to the ground by then…), get out to some more conventions (currently working on Shore Leave Con), and get even more guests on (we already have some great ones lined up for the first few months of the year so far)!
We also want to do a bigger and better job of promoting our side-hustles.. SO.. that being said….
You want some T Shirts? Check out PCR’s Teepublic shop, and the Somethingcast Teepublic shop!
How about some custom-etched glassware? Check out Scratch the Surface!
Vinyl for your belongings? Hatton has you covered at Really Shameless! (He’s working on updating the site but you can email him at reallyshameless@gmail.com and check out his Insta gallery)
You can also check out Hatton’s writings over here and here!
– PCR
Sometimes, the world gives us truths. Things that you can hang your hat on and believe them. Sometimes, because of the internet, you learn that those things that you felt so secure in were invented by a kid with Photoshop in 2014 and have been debunked a thousand times and now you look foolish.
Don’t worry – we’ve all been there, so to start off the year we are looking at the last year of Snopes and talking about our favorite stories. What were you people sharing and/or stopping your great aunt Petunia from sharing? Find out now!
Happy 2023!
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This is it – the end of the Retrocasts. Thank you all for letting us sleep, and we will be back in 2023 with a bunch’a great stuff…
Here’s what we wrote then:
Podcasts… The Final Frontier..
It’s time for the first End of 2021, so we are going to the future to talk about one of the godfathers of modern sci-fi – Star Trek – and discussing its final episode. Will Kirk and the boys hold up the banner of Starfleet high and make us all feel comfortable with the future Roddenberry envisioned… or will they try and tell us women are amazing and gentle creatures prone to psychotic mood swings?
Find out on THE END: Star Trek..but you probably already have it figured out.
Ok, here we boldly go..
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We’re rounding near the end of our Best of 2022, with Rob’s Pick, End: Carnivale
Here’s what we said then:
Time to hitch the wagons, hit the dusty trail for the next town, the next ballyhoo, the next mark on the route.
That’s right, it’s time to lay on hands with the rest of the geeks as we settle down to discuss Carnivale. The HBO darling that ended too soon, but why? Was it rolling downhill towards a depression or was it a show that was just too far ahead of its time for people to be able to dig their teeth in… well, there is only one way to find out, and that is to keep your hands outta our poke, save it for the cake eaters, hang with the gazoonies on The End: Carnivale!**
Ohhkay here we step right up step right up it’s time for the amazing half man half man… The Man Man!
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It’s a yearly tradition – the Somethings gather some of our friends and we have ourselves a big ol’ hangout. No lists. No reviews. Just talking holidays, nostalgia, and the subtle descension of our minds into an internet-addicted dystopia.
The best of the holidays, am I right?
So please, settle in as Rob & Hatton, Awesome Talk’s Rick & Sarah, and Matt & Becky of PreRecLive all make with the merry .. oh, and there may be a special guest who was unable to join us, but still found a way to interject in his own Marcus’y way.
From all of us to all of you – Thank you for being with us and we hope you have a safe and happy holiday.
Ok here we go ho ho!
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December is flying by, we’re already up to our favorite episode of The Wheel – and since Hatton can’t stop loving things that are subjectively wonderfully delightfully bad… he picked Bottom 5: CGI, enjoy!
What we said then:
The Wheel has returned… and the narrative of the Wheel takes a new turn! Get it? Nevermind…
Anyway, there are some new topics on the Wheel, and we have been hit with one of them. You know how Rob and Hatton are always talking about their favorite things? Well, this week they are talking about the Bottom 5, the worst, the shameful, the hysterically bad, and the ‘wait what?’ in the realm of computer generated graphics and green screen in film.
So gather round and think back to all of those horrible aliens, blood splatters, and technological marvels that were clearly added in post, just like your hosts on BOTTOM 5: CGI**
Ok, here we go!
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It’s time to go to the Best of the Wheel – and Rob’s pick: Disaster Movie
Here’s what we said then:
The Wheel is a neverending mistress, always spinning, always providing. It is the alpha, the omega, and what decides our fate. We are but pawns in its sometimes brilliant, sometimes cruel decisions.
Today, the Wheel spins yet again, and the Somethings are confronted with their biggest disaster yet – plotting their own elevator pitch for a Disaster Film!
To join them on this harrowing adventure, they have called in the source of Crystal’s Imagination, Crystal Storm!
So settle in, hold your loved ones tight, and dodge the falling meteors, it’s Elevator Pitch: Disaster Movie!**
Ok, here we woooaaahhh, was that a tremor? I felt a tremor…
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Oh, some movies are just like the Jelly of the Month Club, Clark… gifts that keep on giving. This review was for a movie that had an amazing trailer and we hoped it would be what the first new Halloween was like… and well… … … enjoy.
Here’s what we said then:
There is a movement in horror to bring back the classics. We went through the remake era with the 2000’s versions of Friday and Nightmare, but Saw and, most popularly, Halloween, has show us that there are stories to tell a few decades later in the same universe.
Now Netflix is getting in on the action with a late-quel? (is that a word?) of the horror classic, Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Does it have the same legs that Laurie Strode and Michael Myers had? I ask, because that’s clearly what they were asking in the scriptwriting room…
So settle in to a dusty little empty street in Texas where nobody notices anything and real estate is cheap – it’s time for Something In Review: Texas Chainsaw Massacre**
Ok here we g.g.g.g.g.ggggooooOOOooo.. (that was a chainsaw noise)
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Best of 2022 continues with Rob’s Review pick – Black Phone.
Here’s what we said then:
We’re nearing SomethingSpookums season, so wasn’t Hatton surprised when Rob suggested one of the Summer’s sleeper horror hits Black Phone.
A young man is kidnapped by the local kidnapper, natch, and through a series of mysterious moments… maybe he finds his way home?
Was it good? Was it great? Was it overhyped or just right? It’s time for Something in Review: Black Phone**
Who ya gonna call! …wrong movie, sorry…
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Welcome to our next Best of 2022 – this week, Hatton has picked one of his favorites… Favorite Opening Scenes.
Here’s the original post:
The first moments of a movie or TV show sets the stage for what’s to come… is it a tense moment to moment thriller? Is it confusing, where the plot reveals itself slowly? Is it a podcast that introduces itself the same way to you each week for the last 9 years?
Whatever the case may be – the first few moments of a show or movie may be the thing that keeps you glued to your seat… so join the Somethings as we discuss our favorites.
Did yours make the cut? Only one way to find out.
Okay, here we start!
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It’s that time of year again – when the Somethings take some time off to recharge their poddery batteries, and this year, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite episodes we’ve done over the last year, so every Friday and Tuesday in December, join us as we take a look back before we kiss this year g’bye.
Enjoy ‘Franchises That Should Have Stopped At 1‘
From the original post:
Some movies need to make rent so they sell themselves to whatever bidder happens to have a coupon for a McRib Value Meal.
Today, the Somethings are talking about the latter of those two – movies that went one strong, maybe two strong, but somewhere down the line you can find a copy of their 4th outting stuck to the bottom of the DVD Value Pack box at RiteAid. Or they’re loved and we’re monsters and you’ll have to tweet us to tell us why.
Ok, here we go!
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Sometimes there are 5 Tuesdays in a month, so on those glorious days, you get an extra Somethingcast! Now, the boys don’t really plan for this to happen. They don’t write the calendar, blame the Gregorians, so who the heck is going to expect them to plan something?
Thus, the Free For All episode was born.
This time, however, there is one particular piece of entertainment that slipped passed the Something’s security, and they want to talk about it before everyone has forgotten about it.
So settle in, because we’re going to Haddonfield.
Ok, here we go!
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This is the last ‘official’ blog before we go on our usual December hiatus, and we’ll usually put up a Seasons Greetings card or something before the year is out, but the way the dates fell left it to me. Rob gave his thanks two weeks ago to all of you, and I think it goes without saying that I also thank each and every one of you for sticking with us over the years. This summer marks a Decade of Something, which isn’t our official title for it.. but that’s what I’m voting for.
Anyway, the past year, Rob and I revisited some topics, we tried out another ‘Meta’ episode where there was something else going on while we talked, we reviewed a surprising number of horror movies, and tried to figure out what shows make ‘The End’ work, because it is Rob has a closer finger on the pulse of what makes a good choice there. (Behind the curtain, notoriously my picks get listened to the least) We are in a constant conversation about what we can do and what we may want to do and it is so fantastic to have a partner in this that, unless there is a damn good reason not to do something, is willing to live by improv rules and ‘Yes, and…’ with me.
So, to keep this brief, thank you all for being part of the journey. As someone who has always tried to have some outward facing creative thing going on, it’s because there is amazing, uncut, pure, columbian-grade seratonin that runs through your blood when someone tells you that you made them snort with laughter or made them so pissed off about how wrong you are they needed to charge in and correct you even though you still stand by that Gremlins 2 isn’t a good movie even if it is for a good reason.
Thanks for being part of the ride and watch this space for some extra episodes coming soon.
To you and yours, sláinte. We’ll see you at the Christmas Party.
– Hatton
What started as a single season of television that people will probably rank as ‘one of the best’ for a long time. Twists. Brilliant acting choices. One of the coolest scores in tv. Robots. Cowboys. Robot Cowboys…. ends where?
Does it end in a satisfying place where the tethers that have been left from the first episodes are tied together in a bow and bring the whole of the arc to a satisfying conclusion? Does HBO give up on the show because the ratings have tanked? Does any of it make any sense at all? Is there any brilliance to pull from it at all?
These answers and more as the Somethings take on The End: Westworld
Ok, here we don’t see anything at all…
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Hey all, PCR here!
We’re closing in on the end of yet another year and, as always, I wanted to thank you. Those who listen, those who buy our merch, those who became Patrons.. if it wasn’t for you all, James and I would just be two guys talking to each other.
As in years past, we’ll be taking December off for the holidays, but we’ll still have content! While we’ll be putting a pause on our Patreon content and billing as well as our blogs, we are compiling our favorite episodes of 2022!
Every Tuesday and Friday, we’re going to re-release one of our favorites from the past year and.. who knows.. we might even drop something new along the way, and.. if you’re looking for some swag, we’ll have some new shirts up before the Holidays as well!
It’s been a great year for us, and we’re looking to do even bigger and better things for 2023!
– PCR
When you were a kid, did you imagine that there was buried treasure out there, and with a shovel and a dream, you would dig on the beaches and one day find it?
Well, two multi-millionaires are doing just that, and apparently they’ve turned it into a multi-season reality show that Hatton’s only just hearing about. The Wheel though, the Wheel knows, and it brings the mysterious Oak Island to the forefront of the Somethings as they delve into the Mysteries of the Somethingverse yet again, with The Mystery of Oak Island
Ok, here we yo ho ho!
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I had written about half of a blog about a bunch of video games, but you know what – I’ve done that a lot. So, just to sum up ‘Hatton plays a lot of video games’. There, there you go.
So what will we discuss instead? How about how annoyed I am at video games…
More to the point, I am regularly annoyed at the genres companies put on their games, because they are almost always deeply flawed. My problem is one that has existed for almost as long as gaming has, and that is the definition of genres.
First, I should say, that it is really easy to fall into the ‘super snobby niche’ issues you used to see a lot in music. ‘We’re a doom thrash ice metal blendcore band, but we don’t get into any of the vapor house thunder pudding, that shit’s lame’ You see, when you get into that sort of nerdery, you are saying words that everyone hears as ‘..so you play metal?’
I’m talking about how every game is now every genre to assure when you search for that genre… every game appears. Want a puzzle game? Elden Ring has boxes on crates and hidden keys! PUZZLE! Rogue-like? Well, the new COD features 4 different kinds of bullets that appear randomly.. ROGUE-LIKE! Roleplaying game? In Gotham Knights, you are playing the role of Nightwing! ROLEPLAYING! Need a special skill to get one area? METROIDVANIA!
It’s infuriating and it makes trying to find something new and interesting impossible.
And sadly, there is no way to put this genie back in the bottle without getting into that super niche snobbery, “Yes, I too am a fan of open world voxel non-narrative survival craft games.” and “Single screen retro arcade platform action bubble bouncing dragon games.” But, it would be nice if gaming companies would just put the big definer up front instead of assuming all of their games are all things for all people.
So, until that gets fixed, I’ll be over here enjoying my Tunic a game that is not Souls-Like, and is a love letter to Zelda… so obviously, a Metroidvania game. (It’s also brilliant and you should play it)
I’d like to think if you know the Somethings, you knew this was coming eventually. We mentioned it a month or two ago, because the minute Hatton saw this movie.. he knew one thing.. he needed to make Rob see it.
Why? Well, have you seen it? If you haven’t – stop reading – go watch it – then come back. Now you know why, and I’m sorry I made you do that. M. Night returns to the world of film with a movie that is less twist and more twit. So hop on in our mid-size-sedan and find out what happens on this Something In Review: Old Edition
Ok, here we… what is it we do… oh, that’s right.. Go!
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Hey Somethings!
A few weeks ago, Hatton posted some games still to come in 2022 that he’s looking forward to and, although my ‘wish list’ goes beyond the end of the calendar year, here’s a list of games I’m really chomping at the bit to get when they release…
Need For Speed : Unbound
We’re going big right out of the gate. While some of the NFS games feel like they never get out of second gear, I’ve always been a sucker for them.. and with Unbound hitting on Dec. 2nd, I won’t have to rev the engine too much longer. Cell-shaded graphics, comic book-like overlays and effects, Criterion.. my clutch foot is tingling with anticipation.
Sons of the Forest
The original “The Forest” game was one of the most fun AND terrifying games I’ve played in recent memory, and the ending is setting the bar high for what the sequel will bring. It’s been pushed back until Feb ’23, but based on how awesome the first one was, I’m willing to have patience to get this one in my games library.
Bloodlines 2
The OG Bloodlines was brilliant IMO. It gave you the feel of the TTRPG which, for an atmospheric game world like VtM with it’s many and varied Clans, is no small task.. so when Bloodlines 2 was announced, I was over the moon. I had tried Bloodhunt (a VtM licensed Battle Royale game) but it didn’t feed the beast in the way I hoped. With Bloodlines 2 “still in development” after a much postponed 2021 release date, I just hope I don’t end up in torpor before the release.
Warhammer 40k MMO
A pipe dream, I know.. but for YEARS (ever since I stopped playing WoW after Mists of Pandaria..) I’ve been praying… Praying to the Emperor of Man, Khorne, Kaela Mensha Khaine… I didn’t care WHO brought me one.. but I wanted one. And no, I’m not talking about ‘Eternal Crusade’ or ‘Dark Millennium’. A GOOD, FUN, well thought out MMO. Is that too much to ask? I guess so…
What games are YOU looking forward to? Hit us up on our socials and let us know!
– PCR
Are you a Keaton fan? What about a Clooney fan? Do you like your Gotham neon and campy or dark and totally not Chicago?
Well, the Somethings know a bit about Martha’s Baby Boy and they are going to settle in and discuss who the best Bat that ever donned the cowl. Let’s be clear, some of their decisions may surprise you… and each other.
So, Mr. Wayne, sit near the fire and enjoy the warmth as the Somethings watch the world burn.
Ok, BIFF here we KA-POW! go!
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I was talking with a friend of mine the other day, and as we were talking about some of the cool things on the internet we’ve found, I realized that there may just be some folks out there that aren’t aware of the trove of weird crap that’s out there. Now, I understand, those of us of a certain internet vintage are aware – but as we’ve all sort of fallen into the world of social media or Discord, it’s easy to forget that there is an entire universe of just cool crap out on the internet – out there and collected for our use!
So I thought I’d give you a few places you may have never visited, or possibly forgot existed. Enjoy!
OLD TIMEY RADIO – Let me start with this one, because it is legitimately one of my favorite things on the internet. Back pre-television, radio programs and dramas were the talk of the town. Gunsmoke, Dimension X, General Hospital, the Outer Limits, Sherlock Holmes.. and legitimately hundreds more. Collected and curated, of course some are lost to the history of time, but I spent months just enjoying some of the precursors to modern entertainment – doubly fantastic because of how inappropriate the ads are! Seriously, a must-check-out.
WORDLE CLONES – Yes.. we all got addicted to Wordle and because of it, we made some dude a millionaire. Go us. Did you know there are like a gazillion games like this now? Some are amazing. Some are impossible. Some are stupid. I’ve tried more of them than I care to admit.
WORLD CAMS – Sometimes, you just want to watch another part of the world. Specifically, sometimes I want to have a live-stream of cats on my screen. Before there was Twitch, before there was MFC, you could just sit and relax and watch the zoo from your desk… and you still can, and it is wonderful.
GEOCITIES – Did you know you can download all of Geocities? Like.. the whole thing. The place where people built their own website on their own street to talk about how much they loved that one character from HollyOaks, and it is a Torrent file that is shockingly small at 600 or so Gigs. (A lot of that is because people hotlinked images instead of saving them, so there are ALOT of dead links) — but if you don’t want to have a piece of old internet real estate, you can go visit people that have put the archive of, I repeat, THE WHOLE GEOCITIES.
And lastly…
There are some parts of the internet, the old backwoods of the internet, that are still there. Zombo.com is still live, and welcome to it. He-Man is still singing 4-Non-Blondes. JODI, one of the strangest websites I’ve ever spent a significant amount of time on – is still live, I still have no idea what it is. NotPron, a game that is, in fact, not pron – is a puzzle game that still gets updates!
Where do you still go visit online? Any cool secrets you’ve found? Let us know in all the usual places.
First, they were nostalgia. Then, they were growing up. After that, they were figuring things out. Now… well, now it’s really just gone all to hell, hasn’t it?!
The kids of Hawkins have gone on another of their wacky adventures this past year and the Somethings weren’t going to miss out on a chance to get to talk about Vecna, the Hellfire Club, and whether or not this season’s finale did anything to motivate us towards seeing the end.
So, buckle in, we’re turning this one up to Eleven…. which is the funniest thing I’ll write all day. It’s time for THE END – STRANGER THINGS : SEASON 4!
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It feels like I was watching this scene only yesterday
On November 16th, 2021, G4TV was officially relaunched as both a cable channel and a twitch channel.. and I couldn’t have been happier.
Less than 12 months later, the returned G4 is no more.
The fall of the old G4 felt more ‘out with a whimper’…. non-stop airings of Ninja Warrior and Cops, the shows themselves feeling fewer and further between.. but THIS, this version felt different, and yet.. familiar. Back were shows like X-Play and AOTS.. new shows like Invitation to Party, Ask Donna and Name Your Price joined the ranks, yet still had that ‘old school G4’ feel about their pedigree. New hosts joined the ranks of returning hosts Kevin Pereira and Adam Sessler, the latter of the two being more ‘occasional host’, but having them on board always felt to me that it was giving the relaunch a legitimacy; a passing of the torch until the newer hosts found their comfortable footing.
And find their footing they did. Watching AOTS and Vibe Check felt like putting on a forgotten but favorite sweater you had nearly forgotten about… all comfort and familiar while feeling new. Invitation to Party was just brilliant. B. Dave Walters brought his A game and, as the consummate DM that he is, brought the A+ game out of the players. Ask Donna showed Will Neff at his best. God of Work was a labor of love from Jirard and that passion showed in the sketches.
It wasn’t without rough spots though. Some shows didn’t stick around… Boosted, which focused more on the eSports side of things, left the ‘show’ and became a YouTube exclusive.
And then there was “The Frosk Incident”.
Indiana Black, better known as Froskurinn or Frosk, did a segment on X-Play (which, you can watch here..) where she talked about sexism in gaming… and things went off the rails.
Let me be perfectly clear.
Everything she said is 100% correct.
Everything.
Gaming and the gaming industry has a sexism and misogyny problem that, unfortunately, is not going away. Can it be minimized? Shunned into the darkness? Yes, but only if WE minimize it and shun it when we see it.
That being said, the trolls came out of the woodwork. Online harassment and sexist comments blew up on not only Frosk’s, but G4’s socials by those ‘offended’ by her comments.
It was called a “rant”. A “meltdown”. “Maybe, in 2022, we be a bit nicer, a bit more self reflective, and we enjoy the fact that people are working hard to make free content for you. If you don’t like it, don’t watch” was how she ended the segment.. but all mouthbreathers heard was “IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, DON’T WATCH!” and that became their rallying cry.
Was Frosk the reason for G4’s demise? Not at all. Inept management at Comcast not knowing what to do with their talent was the reason for G4’s second demise.. but not if you frequent the internet. a never-ending number of YouTube videos, blogs, TikToks, articles and the like blame Frosk for G4’s collapse without at all realizing that by blaming her, they’re behaving in exactly the same sexist and misogynistic way she called out in her segment. It’s unfortunate and wrong, yet not unexpected. “Fandoms” have become louder and louder in their entitled toxicity against things they don’t like, and this was no exception.
What destroyed G4 was Comcast. If any proof was needed, consider that more than half of the hosts/writers/producers and creators found out about G4 being cancelled from articles about the cancellation being tweeted out. How shitty does a company have to be to have employees find out via Tweet they no longer have a job? And not even BY Tweet.. but reading an article.
Will I miss G4? 100 percent. I loved the content they created. Hell, we even got mentioned on Vibe Check (no.. really! The story of how and why is for another day…).
My sincere hope is that the amazing people from G4, on both sides of the camera, reconnect in some way in the near future.. be it Twitch, YouTube.. whatever. The cast and crew are far too talented to NOT be working with each other.
G4 may be gone again, but it will not be forgotten.
– PCR
Three people went off into the Burkettsville woods, and weren’t heard from again… this isn’t their story.
A bunch of other people went off into the woods to take a tour about the people that were never heard from again, which does kind of infer they were heard from again, albeit unintentionally, and now there are tour groups for them and they are apparently cult icons to weiros and documentarians…. this is sort of their story….
Two podcasters decided to sit down and watch Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows and tell you what they thought – this is most certainly their story.
So settle in and throw your map into the river – it’s Something in Review: Blair Witch 2
Ok, here we g-g-g-g-hoooost!
Full Episode
Does that say ‘Predictive Algorithms’?
Yes it does. You see, when you are an old internet hand like myself, you’ve seen a few generations of how material is fed to you. Traditionally, forums, bulletin board systems, usenet, even LiveJournal would feed you data in a very organized fashion… by date and time. You stopped reading at 6pm last night, so now you can go look and read everything up until that point… and then you’re done. Do that once or twice a day and you have a source of balanced internet…
Then someone had the great idea that if you show people things out of order – they don’t know when to stop reading…. and it worked. Hell, if you throw in the occasional thing they have already seen, you can get them to stay even longer because that means you can feed them more advertising. Then, someone thought, what if we shorten the amount of content so they can absorb EVEN MORE! So now long form posts turned into Tweets. Youtube videos turned into Vines. Vines turned into Tiktoks. I, personally, find no joy in them, but if someone shows me something very funny.. I can even get caught in scrolling through 10 or 20 before I realize I am not enjoying it.
The sad thing is, you can’t put this genie back in the bottle. Video sites predict which videos you want to see, and knows the right time to show you a video you saw already and liked so you watch it again. News sites show you the information that you interact with, using the old Howard Stern truism ‘The people that like him listen an hour, the people that hate him listen for two’ — so it feeds you opposition to enhance your engagement.
What’s your point, Hatton?
Would you believe it’s simply that this is a perfect place to bitch about how the modern internet is built on giant companies feeding you unending redundant oppositional information in an attempt to keep you angrily watching advertisements and it makes me nostalgic for days where I could just see what’s happened since 6pm last night? And that this whole thing was spawned off the fact that Youtube won’t allow me to NOT watch ‘Shorts’ which are just another variety of staccato 30 second lipsync videos and it’s driving me nuts?
That’s my point. I’m old and grumpy and miss the old wild west internet…. and if you do too, please sign our guest book below and join the Something Podcast Webring brought to you by Angelfire.
The again for The Wheel, the machine that tells us what we’re doing and how – and boy howdy does it hit us with the big’uns tonight.
In this corner – hailing from deepest darkest Ohio…
In this corner – the European with the meanest bite…
In this corner – a milkdud from the internet…
In this corner – from the wetlands of Scotland…
In this corner – from the mountains of America…
In this corner – from my former field of goats…
In this corner – from that one street nobody drove down…
In this corner – from Planet Arrakhis…
In this corner – from Montauk…. no, seriously… Montauk
In this corner – from the SomethingSomethingcast Studio…
Ok, LET’S GET READY TO RUMMMBLLLE!
Full Episode
Yes, I know… “Sports???”
We don’t delve into Sports here very often (if really at all) as Hatton isn’t much of a sports person (no judgement, just stating facts), but I myself have been a Steelers fan since Bradshaw.. through the good and the bad.. and when it comes to the current season… I have thoughts….
Currently the Steelers are 1-3… 0-2 at home (terrible), 1-2 on the road, and 0-1 in their Division. The Patriots and Raiders are just as bad with only the Texans worse currently.
Recently, the Steelers named Kenny Pickett as the starter after a very dubious start to the season by Mitch Trubisky. Is Pickett the answer? In the short term, he kind of has to be as Trubisky isn’t and never was going to be the answer. The unfortunate thing is the team just came out of 18 years of Big Ben (which, not-so-coincidentally is 18 years of non-losing seasons), and that is a tough act to follow. An act that almost never happens without some bumps in the road.
The Steelers have always been a “Draft and Develop” sort of team, especially over the past 18 years.. bringing in talent, letting them get reps and practice in, and not just throwing them to the wolves. I’m sure they would have loved for Trubisky to hold his own better and let Pickett grow into the role, but desperate times call for desperate measures… so the Kenny Pickett era has officially begun. Will he be the long term answer? Possibly, but having lived through the Bubby Brister/Kordell Stewart/Neil O’Donnell/Tommy Maddox eras… it’s difficult to get your hopes up off of his performance so far. The team’s defense isn’t what it used to be (I mean.. when you lose Polamalu.. what defense will be?), even factoring a healthy T.J. Watt, and the offensive line has been suspect for a few years now which means Pickett is going to have to keep his head on a swivel more than normal.
My prediction? As much as I’d love to say Pickett grows into the role super fast and the team manages to finish above .500, I fear their “Winning Season” Streak comes to an end this year as they finish 7-9 (at best) and miss the playoffs.
Not all horror movies are created equal… you see, some movies are amazing because they are frigging amazing. Some are amazing because they are bad. Some are just……. bad.
We’re talking about all of them, because none of those headers quite describes ‘lame’. What is a lame movie? Is it stupid? Does it have a single factor that makes it worse than another? Is it just boring? Hatton and PCR get into it about what precisely makes a piece of entertainment lame and then tell you their choices.
Join us as we start SomethingSpooktober with a horrorpalooza for the ages!
Ok, here we boo!
Full Episode
Did you know I have a Saints Row tattoo?
I do – and I have a rule about any of my video game tattoos, and that is I’m allowed to buy games before they go on discount if I have something grafted on my body from them. So when a new Final Fantasy comes out, a new Portal game, Tron, Bubble Bobble, etc… I’m allowed because I’ve got them inked into my leg.
Do you know what game I don’t own? The new Saints Row game, and that’s because the reviews have been beyond ‘less than stellar’ and moved into ‘godawful bad’. It sucks, because Saints Row is, as proven by the winged fleur de lis on my leg, one of my favorite franchises of all time, but sadly, when it comes to games that were cutting teeth on edgy sarcasm and hysterical inappropriateness.. you can never go to Steelport again.
So what’s left in 2022 if I don’t have Saints Row to look forward to anymore? Aside from the impending heat death of the universe, here are some of the games slated for 2022 releases I have interest in… it’s a crapshoot if they come out in the next three months though.
HARVESTELLA – Oh, hello there Final Fanta-Stardew Valley. I expect you to suck hours away from me with your gorgeous seasonal landscapes and, guaranteed, untold secrets that can only be found on weird days of the year when the moon is in the proper phase because Squeenix likes its fans rabid.
GOTHAM KNIGHTS – I think people treat Arkham Knight too harshly. The driving and missle parts of the game were UTTERLY out of place, but they were kinda fun. So now, I get to play as Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, Batwoman, Batmutt, ManBat, BatBat, and Azrael? Hells yes, albeit there is no reason to buy this game day one. It will be a buggy mess and 6 months GOTY edition will be a much better game.
GOD OF WAR: RAGNAROK – The God of War games were never important to me — but be damned if the 2018 relaunch didn’t help me get through the opening fears of the pandemic. My fingers hurt from killing angels and birds and boating from one part of the world to the other, which was exactly the distraction I needed. I hope this game can live up to the hype.
MARVEL’S MIDNIGHT SUNS – I kinda don’t expect this game to come out on time… and if it does, I am super concerned about it being good. Marvel’s been doing better than its previous world of ‘MATCH 3, BUT WITH SILVER SURFER’ gimmicks… and the line-up in this game feels shockingly wide. Turn-base Tactical Comic Game where I can play as Nico from Runaways… plug it into my veins.
So what games are left in the year that you want to see! Let us know!
Yeah, so Marvel has had hit after hit. The Avengers, Daredevil, Mandolorian, Sandman, Teen Titans… all of the big hitters! Well, there was once a time where Marvel wanted to throw up the middle finger to some mutants and turn to the Moon for inspiration.
If this means absolutely nothing to you, then you clearly missed The Inhumans, a one season attempt to make an obscure part of the Marvel Universe more important.
Did it work? Was it the next Agents of Shield or was it an Iron Fist to the gut?
Find out now on THE END: INHUMANS
And if you would like a sample of what our new Patreon episodes are going to be like, you can get the Patreon version of this episode for free, right here!
Otherwise, ok here we Terragen Mist!
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Hey all, PCR here.
So, I recently re-activated my Netflix account to catch up on some things I hadn’t seen yet, and one of those things was Season 4 of Stranger Things, and while I was a huge fan of the show when it started, the luster has worn a bit for me… to the point that Season 4 in general was…’meh’.
Don’t get me wrong, the Eddie stuff was cool, and the backstory into 1 was intriguing, I felt too disassociated from the whole thing to really care too much.
Season 3 came out in July of 2019, and Season 4 was finally released in May of 2022, nearly 20 months later. During that time, some of the kids had Walt-ian growth spurts while others stayed looking remarkably similar. Maybe it’s just me, and it’s taking more to ‘wow’ me as I get older, but the main thing I walked away from Season 4 with was “Wow, episodes are a lot longer…”.
My question to The Somethings is… ‘How long is too long’? How long can shows (and movies) push between seasons (and sequels) and still have us give as much of a shit as they hope we will?
Let’s look at some other notable time delays…
Stranger Things S4 – 20 months
Westworld S4 – 25 months
Ghostbusters to GBII – 5 years
Heroes : Reborn – 5 years
GBII to GB Afterlife – 32 Years
XFiles – 14 years after original TV finale
Twin Peaks S3 – 26 years
What are some of YOUR favorite TV Shows or Movies that have had extended time between seasons/sequels? We want to know!
ALSO!
Want to help support our show? Our Patreon is live once more! New tiers! New content! Early access! Go check it out and help us bring you even more great stuff!
– PCR
Not every decision is a good one… just think of any strange flavor, because Japan has probably turned it into a Kit-Kat.
Well, the same goes for movies. Sometimes there is a choice in a film that just brings down the whole affair. The wrong actor at the wrong time or the right actor in the wrong film – sometimes you just don’t want Wasabi in your Chocolate Wafers.
So join the Somethings as they spin The Wheel and discuss their choices for the Bottom 5: Casting Decisions!
Ok, here they .. oh, one more thing! The Something Patreon is coming back, and the link will be up at the top of the page by next episode!
Full Episode
There is a lot of buzz going on about the Little Mermaid remake – which is something we will be talking about a bit more in depth in a future episode, so I’m not going to here. To be clear, anyone who gets upset about the skin color of a live action cartoon movie about fictional mythological Danish creatures, or can’t seem to wrap their head around the fact that Lord of the Rings doesn’t actually take place in Medieval Europe and elves aren’t real… your opinion is pretty much voided on principle.
Not my point tonight.
What I DO wish to discuss is WHY you should care about The Little Mermaid live action (and other ‘why are they doing this’ movies) and the number one reason you aren’t hearing more about this point:
- Disney doesn’t want to talk about it.
This year, there is a Winnie the Pooh movie coming out that has nothing to do with a rumbly tumbly hunny lovin bear, and has everything to do about a cannibalistic monster and his piggie friend on, what I assume, will be a horrifying murder spree. The original A.A. Milne stories have reached public domain level, so you can go do a Winnie story, but you must be assuredly certain that the version you are utilizing is THAT version and not anything close to the Jim Cummings voiced silly ol’ bear. Next year, Steamboat Willie finally gets to public domain after Disney has destroyed our copyright law to save him.
That’s why there is a new Little Mermaid, a CGI Lion King, a Maleficent and Cruella film. Disney is thrilled if they do well, but if they don’t.. eh, that’s ok, they’ve served a far greater legal purpose of continuing to push a variation of a character they can hold on to.
The best thing you can do next year when the lifeless, like a doll’s eyes, black and white mouse finds his way into all of our legal hands – much like when Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey comes out, is support the endeavors of these people who are throwing our public ownership into the face of the beast that has continued to push laws that allow them to own things forever. And this is Disney we’re talking about.. the company that owns everything, anyway.
All I’m asking is for you to go see THOSE pieces of entertainment, if anything, because it really will tick the mouse off.
We’re nearing SomethingSpookums season, so wasn’t Hatton surprised when Rob suggested one of the Summer’s sleeper horror hits Black Phone.
A young man is kidnapped by the local kidnapper, natch, and through a series of mysterious moments… maybe he finds his way home?
Was it good? Was it great? Was it overhyped or just right? It’s time for Something in Review: Black Phone
Who ya gonna call! …wrong movie, sorry…
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Hey all, Podcast Rob here!
BIG news for you all today….
We’re re-launching our Patreon! New Tiers! New Rewards!
At just $2 per month, patrons get the “Somethingscription“! By helping support our show, you get Early Access to listen to our episodes on Saturday instead of waiting for Tuesday! PLUS you get the unedited/unfiltered version!
Want more? Like… say… a voice in the decision making process? Our “SomethingExtra” tier is for you then! Along with your Early Access, Give us a topic and we’ll add it to the list AND give you a shoutout when we cover it! Patron topics go to the front of the line of our ideas, so let us know in the following categories! Something To Review, The End, Mysteries of the Somethingverse, VS, Elevator Pitch, Dreamcasting/Recasting!
For those who want the perks of SomethingExtra without a monthly subscription, we have a workaround of “SomethingAwesome“. You can check our Patreon site or DM us through Facebook or Twitter for details!
For 9 years we’ve been making content we hope you’ve been enjoying, by supporting the show you’ll enable us to do even bigger and better things with the show!
– PCR
♫ We’re goin back…. back…back to schooOol ♫
Now, we’re aware tha tmost of the people that listen to his show have had no more pencils, no more books, no more of those dirty looks for at least a decade… but that does not mean that there isn’t a whole series of films that take place int he hallowed halls of alma maters across this great land of ours.
So which ones are the Somethings favorites? Which ones go straight to detention? How many can do the triple lindy?
Find out if you agree, or rather are.. just one of the guys…
Ok, here we go to 3rd period Chem!
Full Episode
I originally had an idea that I was going to discuss some of the public domain stuff that is going on right now (like the Pooh Bear horror movie) – but I’m going to save that for a bit. Instead, I would like to babble about the horrible nature of modern social media.
WHAT A FUN JOURNEY THAT WILL BE, HATTON!?
Yeah, I know – sorry.
So here’s a list of internet and social media trends that drive me cuckoo bananas:
CHANGING THE YEAR ON OLD CONTENT
Go into your google machine and type in, ‘Best Puzzle Games of 2022’ and you will get pages and pages of lists. I guarantee you that 90% of those lists will say they were written in the last two months and most of them won’t have any modern content in them.. some won’t have games from before 2020. That’s because internet content on surprisingly popular websites simply repost their own blogs every few months with updated dates. A few will change the headline to be less shameless, ‘Puzzle Games You Should Play In 2022’ or ‘Some of the Best Puzzle Games (2022)’ but the fact is they are garbage lists by garbage people and won’t help you with your search.
REACTION VIDEOS
I brought this point up on Facebook and got a range of responses, so let me clarify… if you have knowledge on a topic and are reacting to it like ‘Opera Singer Comments on Heavy Metal Music’ or ‘CGI Experts Watch The Scorpion King’, that’s fine. You are adding something to the conversation. If you scroll through TikTok and see a post of a guy watching someone make ice cream….. and then… he goes ‘Wow’ or makes approving gestures, or the worst of it, is over-excited about someone at Coldstone folding fudge.. why? Why is watching people watch things interesting now? Why do I care about your facial expressions? (Spoiler: I don’t.)
PADDED “TROLL” VIDEOS
This is a bit of a niche, but there is a surprising amount of Facebook videos that have an interesting sounding premise ‘This woman opened a box and you won’t believe it…’ By and large, that title is clickbait incarnate, but hey, I can spend a minute while she opens a box… until she realizes there is twine that she needs to get scissors… that don’t work… so she pulls at the string… finally it snaps… under the first wrapping is more wrapping… with more string. At this point in time, you look and see that this video is 20 minutes long. You click to the end, see the ending sucked, and leave. Why does it exist? Is it just a troll? Nope. That “creator” (a loose term at best) just got ad revenue for you being sucked into that garbage.
– STAY TIL THE END
This is a newer trend. First, let’s address that it is mighty sad that your content is so bad on Tiktok that you need to tell people to ‘stay to the end’ because you are afraid you can’t hold their attention for 80 seconds. The second part of that is that you are probably right, your 80 seconds of content is garbage. It is rare a video that feels the need to tell you to stay gives you any actual reason why you should stay. This follows along with the reaction videos listed above, and sometimes are in the same video.
Imagine if you were watching the Godfather 2, and sometime in the middle of DeNiro squishing olives, a big banner flashed on the screen ‘STAY TIL THE END’…
CONCLUSION
I’ve been on the internet longer than most… which makes me feel old because it is a statistical truth. With the advent of short-attention-span videos/stories/reels/vines/tiktoks, I have finally reached the spot where I don’t get it. #OldManYellsAtCloud
On the first week of the month we do a themed episode. The second and third are Something in Review and The Wheel. The 4th week is The End — but what happens when there is a fifth week tot he month? What are the Somethings supposed to do?
Well, if you have been listening to our show for any length of time, you should know it is time for a Something Free-For-All which is where we take a week off from planning something and just hang-out for a little while.
What are we watching? What are we playing? How’s our day been?
It’s all there – and more – on the Something Free-For-All!
Okay, here we go!
Full Episode
Hey all!
Moving away from the “angry man shakes fist at clouds” types of rants I’ve been on lately, I’m here to talk about some racing games that I’ve truly loved!
Need for Speed Underground/Underground 2
Not only was the theme song to NFSU2 banger, but the game play and customization in both was amazing. NFS Heat seemed to try to bring some of that back, but no other racing game I’ve played has had that same kind of “Fast and Furious first movie drag race”. I’ve tried many other NFS games (and one will be mentioned again later), but Underground/Underground 2 is still cream of the crop for me.
Stuntman
Some might say this isn’t really a ‘racing’ game as much as a ‘driving’ game, but man was this game fun. Working your way through more and more difficult “stunts” while against the clock was frustrating at times.. especially when a stunt kept failing.. but when you finally hit all your marks and you got to see the finished result, it made it all worth while.
Forza Horizon 4
My first foray into Forza and I was hooked. The British scenery, the race types, the cars.. for a first time Forza player it was epic in scope and done to near perfection. Being a fan of Top Gear, some of the challenges were extra fun, and the movie based story challenged harkened back to the above mentioned “Stuntman”. All in all, an amazing game that I still play and enjoy, even more than the most recent incarnation.
The Need for Speed
Released in 1994, and later ported to MS-DOS in ’95, I first played this game on my friend’s Panasonic 3DO system. Do the graphics hold up? No. Was the game play fun and addictive? Absolutely, and it did it through some very interesting means… the game had a sometimes supportive, sometimes trash-talking FMV character that would either praise you or burn you depending on how well you did. “Yeah man.. top of the hill, buried the needle you OWNED that road!” was great.. but when you’ve had enough and can’t quite get the race beat… just as you’re about to put the controller down and he hits you with “That loud sucking sound you hear is all the cute girls leaving you for the guy with the really fast car…” always seemed to get you to play one more race. Without this one, there might very well have not been any others.
– PCR
Time to hitch the wagons, hit the dusty trail for the next town, the next ballyhoo, the next mark on the route.
That’s right, it’s time to lay on hands with the rest of the geeks as we settle down to discuss Carnivale. The HBO darling that ended too soon, but why? Was it rolling downhill towards a depression or was it a show that was just too far ahead of its time for people to be able to dig their teeth in… well, there is only one way to find out, and that is to keep your hands outta our poke, save it for the cake eaters, hang with the gazoonies on The End: Carnivale!
Ohhkay here we step right up step right up it’s time for the amazing half man half man… The Man Man!
Full Episode
Now, it’s understood I get down with a little Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior, that I have a Chrono Cross tattoo and will go on a lengthy rant about how FF7 is overrated (important in the history of games, definitely – intelligible? Nassomuch…) But that’s not what I wanted to talk about today. You see, given that Rob and I are well-rounded nerds, we also have enjoyed ourselves some tabletop roleplaying in years gone by. Sadly, as the years progress, the years gone by keep getting by’er. That RPG itch has only grown as I see things like Critical Role get popular, validating that it IS possible to gather a handful of people together online or in meatspace. If they can do it.. why can’t I!?
Here are a few rpg’s that I really want to dig into and just haven’t gotten a chance to because we all live in hermetically sealed bubbles.
MUTANTS & MASTERMINDS
First off, I love superheroes. The idea of playing in a game where we are all super-human somethings in a world that hates and fears us or are the First Family or even a Government Sanctioned Team of criminals.. I don’t care, I’m in. Hand me d20s and let me look at the power generation table. Hell, I’ll role randomly and be THRILLED that I now have Plasma Flower Powers. If someone like Speedball can get his own book, I can make it work.
PROMETHEUS
There are two World of Darknesses. The Old World, which is what most of us know and love with its political vampires and eco-warrior werewolves. The New World of Darkness never really stuck to me well, but one of the books that came out did… big time. Prometheus is the story of Frankenstein, or to put it more broadly – golems. Whether they are elemental beasts (like the traditional ‘made of earth’) or hewn together from parts by mad doctors, the idea is so neat that I hope one day to be rolling a handful of d10s on performance to sing ‘Puttin on the Ritz’
KIDS ON BIKES
One of the coolest trends in RPGs of the last decade is the ‘storytelling’ game, where it is less about a narrative a DM has put together and more about a world that the party duct tapes together with their characters. Fate, Monster of the Week, and Kids on Bikes are all examples of games that lean into this premise. Kids on Bikes is specifically about that nostalgic ET, SUPER 8, STRANGER THINGS vibe that immediately makes me want to build characters in a Speilbergian idealistic mid-80’s sleepy town.
INVISIBLE SUN
If you haven’t heard of any RPG on this list… it’s this one. A few years ago Monte Cook games put out a Kickstarter for this black cube of a game. It comes with a tarot deck and a hand, and a thousand books, and pamphlets, and it is legit insane the amount of material in this thing. The fact is, not many people own it, and those of us that do, it is SO dense on material, it would be really hard to play it without at least two people knowing what the hell is going on. Seriously, look at this thing and tell me you are not equal parts intrigued and horrified at the learning curve.
Oh, and Monte Cook isn’t helping by selling the PDF version for $99….
What games are YOU looking for group?
The Wheel is a neverending mistress, always spinning, always providing. It is the alpha, the omega, and what decides our fate. We are but pawns in its sometimes brilliant, sometimes cruel decisions.
Today, the Wheel spins yet again, and the Somethings are confronted with their biggest disaster yet – plotting their own elevator pitch for a Disaster Film!
To join them on this harrowing adventure, they have called in the source of Crystal’s Imagination, Crystal Storm!
So settle in, hold your loved ones tight, and dodge the falling meteors, it’s Elevator Pitch: Disaster Movie!
Ok, here we woooaaahhh, was that a tremor? I felt a tremor…
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Hey there Somethings!
Today’s (apparently) another installment of “Podcast Rob Shakes Fist At Cloud” as I lay out some video games I was hopeful about but just didn’t cut it for me!
Star Wars Squadrons
Flying Game? Check. Dogfighting Flying Game? Check. Fun? Ehhh…..
I never played any of the original “X-Wing vs TIE Fighter” games.. but I do enjoy me some Star Wars, and I was really hoping to like this. The dogfight maps feel oddly small, (I mean, I understand they’re trying to keep frantic action in a confined space) and… oddly confined…. like.. it’s SPACE why can’t I go fly.. you know.. .over THERE? Also the back and forth of the combat is intriguing and keeps one side from just steamrolling, but, it still feels like it’s amazingly clunky.
Dark Pictures Anthology : Little Hope
I. Loved. Man of Medan. I’m enjoying House of Ashes even more. Little Hope was… aptly named. In MoM and HoA, the choices made sense to me. In LH the choices felt.. mind-numbingly inane. The one that sticks out the most was breaking in to the police station… there’s LITERALLY bricks and 2x4s and pipes and crap laying around.. but this.. THIS is a good time for one of the characters to chide the other about “Hey.. I bet you can’t throw this rock through that window!” Just make it make sense….
Vampire the Masquerade : Bloodhunt
Ok, I’m not a fan of BR type games.. not my jam. I DO however love me some VtM and am eagerly awaiting Bloodlines 2. To that end, I said “Let me check it out.. it’s free.. right?” Overall, I like what they’re trying to do… different clans, different powers, how they effect the overall BR gameplay.. it’s a good concept. However, the player base is still relatively small, and because of that the number of hackers/cheaters is VERY disproportionate, and the game doesn’t seem to have a good way of perma-banning them. Much like Rocket League (which, surprisingly, didn’t make this list…) before I stopped playing I could only do one or two matches before my rising blood pressure made me tap out.
Any Poorly Ported Game
I like my driving/racing games. I’ve tried to play many of the older(ish) Need for Speed games either through Steam or GamePass and, I’ll be honest, when I have to THEN scour the internet for some sort of additional patch that I have to read up on how to install just so when I lightly tap the stick to go left my car won’t immediately go in to donuts because the port over of the game couldn’t handle/work with current controller drivers.. it’s a hard pass for me.
Legacy : A Star Wars Audio Drama returns this coming Tuesday! Catch up here before the new episode!
– PCR
Since the world is currently learning what artsy nerds have known for 20 years, that The Sandman is amazing, the Somethings had the brilliant (and coincidental) idea to do a movie that ties in ever so slightly to the Sandman mythos… the story of a man who can see the evil forces that move between worlds and fight them for the benefit of his own soul.
He also knows kung-fu… whoa…
This month, we are looking at the Keanu version of Hellblazer in – Constantine. Does it hold up? Did it ever? Did you even remember it existed?
Find out these answers and more, on Something In Review: Constantine
Ok, here we ghoooOooOooost
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So to start us off – this whole discussion spawned off of our recent ‘Franchises That Should Have Stopped‘ episode. Apparently, I touched a livewire with some controversy that I had never stumbled upon. Surprising, given I love a bad movie and I love a weird story… the tale of Joe Dante and Gremlins 2 had passed me by.
I appreciate some of our listeners telling me how wrong I was about how Gremlins 2 being bad. They explain that it is, in fact, kind of brilliant if you understand what’s going on. I went and read the tweet thread on it (with a big shoutout to Professor Murder and Kess) as well as watched some interviews with Director Joe Dante, and fell into the rabbithole that is Gremlins 2.
The short version – Warner Brothers didn’t expect Gremlins to be a hit, but it was. They wanted a sequel, but Joe Dante, director of the first one, didn’t want to make it. They kept throwing money at him until he relented, and in turn, used the budget to make a commentary as to why Gremlins didn’t need a sequel. Dammit… that’s good. He went in with making a movie that embodies the absurdity of commercialism culture, sequels, lampoons Ted Turner and Trump, the bad reviews that Gremlins received, and the disregard of classic cinema. So, let me state, right here and now, that as an adult looking at the call and response of an artist making fools of the studio with their own money…
BUT!
When lil’ me was 10 years old with my Gizmo toy and perfect impression of Stripe going ‘DEEAGLE DEAGLE DEAGLE’ who saw the original film at the drive-in, watched Gremlins 2 and read the novelization (which does not feature Hulk Hogan, but a cut-in by Brain Gremlin which may have been my first real exploration into meta-text) — I was confused. The movie I got felt so much closer to Critters or Killer Klowns than it did the perfect scary Christmas movie about a terrorized small town that was the original. As an adult, I don’t even know what I could have received that would have sated my Gremlins love. Ghostbusters 2 was good, but not great. Honey I Blew Up The Kids… meh.
What could G2 been that would have held any candle to the original?
I have to accept that maybe the correct answer is that the only movie that deserved to follow Gremlins, was the Gremlins 2 we got – and knowing the whole of the tale makes 40-something ol’ me appreciate its balls a lot more. Amusingly enough, I stand by that the original movie didn’t need a sequel, and the man who made that sequel apparently agreed with that idea so much… he made this particular sequel.
If you would like to fall into this rabbit hole – here are a couple of the places I did research:
Gremlins 2 Q&A w/ Joe Dante
The Institute of Gremlins 2 Studies
Some movies build a universe that expands the lore and mythos, that delves deep into other characters and builds new ways to love what you already loved. They are treasures that feel like each moment is a part of a greater whole.
Some movies need to make rent so they sell themselves to whatever bidder happens to have a coupon for a McRib Value Meal.
Today, the Somethings are talking about the latter of those two – movies that went one strong, maybe two strong, but somewhere down the line you can find a copy of their 4th outting stuck to the bottom of the DVD Value Pack box at RiteAid. Or they’re loved and we’re monsters and you’ll have to tweet us to tell us why.
So let’s get this year started right!
Ok, here we go!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
So, this week’s blog, I wanted to talk about some actors I’m… well.. just not fond of. I’m not talking “Oh, I didn’t like so-and-so in this role…” or “I thought they’re portrayal of blahblahblah was…” No, I’m talking about a level of “I couldn’t care less” that sometimes makes it difficult to watch things they’re in.
Anthony Mackie – Is he Captain America? Yes. Will I go see the new Cap movie in the theaters when it comes out? Most likely not. It’s convoluted.. it’s not because I don’t want him in the role.. as a comic book fan it 100% makes sense. It’s also a huge point of diversity which is also awesome…. I just don’t like him as an actor. It’s not that I find him “bad”, I just don’t find him compelling. I was able to make it through his previous MCU movies because his screen time was tempered by his castmate’s screen time. I was “meh” on Falcon and the Winter Soldier (mostly due to having to watch him more). His episode of Black Mirror was intriguing, but to me, still middling… and I couldn’t even finish the first episode of S2 of Altered Carbon when I saw him in it. He just doesn’t grab my attention.
Aaron Paul – Now, to be fair, I haven’t seen him in much that WASN’T Breaking Bad. Yes, the show was amazing, but any time Jesse was on the screen, I just sighed and sucked it up because I knew he HAD to be. El Camino? It was… how do I say… “boring”. I recently started binging Westworld (more on that in an upcoming episode). Seasons 1 and 2 were phenomenal… Season 3 had… issues.. and… Aaron Paul. As soon as I saw him on my screen I thought “Well fuck… he’s going to end up being integral and we’re going to see a lot of him aren’t we…” I wasn’t wrong. I haven’t started S4 yet, but, I’m hoping Caleb ends up getting the “Teddy” treatment before too long.
Joan Cusack – Ok look, I don’t have an answer for “Why?” on this one. I just can’t stand seeing her on my screen. I couldn’t watch the American version of Shameless thanks to her. I was mildly interested in A Series of Unfortunate Events until she showed up on my screen and I turned it off and never went back. I’ve only seen 2 movies she’s ever been in, and they were long enough ago that I don’t think I even knew who she was at the time. I’m sure she’s a great person, but she can be a great person and not be on my TV ever too.
What about YOU? Do YOU have someone who.. you just can’t stand to watch? Let us know!
ALSO
Do you like Star Wars? Do you like Audio Dramas? Well how about a Star Wars Audio Drama?!
Author Crystal Storm has been doing just that! Check out “Legacy : A Star Wars Audio Drama”!
ALL RISE!
The honorable Somethings are now back in session for their final episode of the Year 9 Podiganza!
To keep with the theme of ‘things that relate to 9’ we went with a classic comedy that went 9 seasons and.. possibly? is getting a comeback. More on that later, first, why don’t you settle in to the misdemeanor charges for arguing with your neighbor on alternate side of the street nights, because the only way to get that ticket handled is to go to The End: Night Court!
Ok, hear ye hear ye go! ..really proud of that one..
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There’s a podcast I really enjoy, and if we’ve ever talked podcasts with guests, I’ve almost always mentioned it. It’s called Film Reroll and the premise is pretty simple. Take a bunch of actors playing GURPs, but have them play out movies. The DM builds character sheets and plots based on the film, and sometimes if the dice go well, the heroes play a game that is similar to the movie. If the dice fly off the handle, the heroes may not get beyond the first action sequence. (One particular movie of note has this amazing ..but we didn’t even get to the movie.. moment) The final variation is the one where the players and plot go in wildly different directions from where the movie went or includes rules that allow for other plots and characters.
It’s fun. Tons of fun. It makes me want to play games in movie worlds. It makes me want to build an entire Planescape Cineplex Quantum Leap game where the characters won’t know what movie they’re in until .. well, until they know.
So I thought I’d give a little list here of some of the movies I have pondered building a roleplaying scenario around. Every single one of these movies has crossed my mind on being interesting enough to make a good ‘Reroll’ and I yearn for the day I get a chance to try them out.
Tremors – This has been the one flick I always go back to. Aside from the fact it is a favorite horror franchise of mine, it is such a great gaming scenario with a cool selection of characters with diverse skills. What’s the goal? To get away? To kill the Graboids? To warn the government? Hell, I could imagine a game where the dice went sideways where the real goal is simply to figure out what the hell is killing people! What happens when your party decide to go traversing in the tunnels or try and discover where these things came from!? It’s my gold standard for what a cool Reroll game could be.
Nightmare on Elm Street – The first thing that’s great about the Nightmare franchise is that you have a whole big bucket of characters to work with. Sure, you could play Nancy and Glen… but what if your group were playing as the parents? If I was to run this movie, my players would all be the kids, but the first session would be them as their parents confronting the real human of Kreuger. We know that because they burned him in the boiler room he is what he is… what if they drowned him? What if they poisoned him? What would the Nightmare Creature be in a world where the parents decided his fate differently?
Reservoir Dogs – One thing to note in Rerolls is that sometimes you have to change the rules so you can fight meta knowledge. It’s real easy to know who the snitch is if you started playing Dogs… so what if the players didn’t know? One of you is a psychopath… but which one? Every player starts the game with a quirk and a private win condition, so when the game starts you don’t know who anyone is and the game is all the better for it.
Die Hard – Lastly, what if you turned an entire movie on its head. Instead of you playing as John McClane, what if it was the reverse of Tremors, where you are a group of bank robbers trying to pull the best job, but this one superhuman cop is just in your way? Or, to play in an entirely different game, you were the hostages and this war is going on between good guys and bad guys all around you? Or, to give you one last bit to chomp on, one player is the hostages, one player is the cops, and one player is the media. Can you find ways to work together or is it just a bloodbath?
What movies do you love that you think would make a great roleplaying campaign? Let us know in all the usual places!
The Anniversary Strikes… THE WHEEL with a list of 9 oriented topics, we spin the wheel, make the deal… annnnnnnd – BAD MOVIE DRAFT!
That’s right – Hatton and Podcast Rob are picking the best of the worst and letting you decide precisely who wins. What was the worst? What was the best? Does one being better make it the loser? Did you like any of this dreck? How do you decide?
Head over to our TWITTER page and vote in the pinned poll!
Well, you’ll find out the rules, how to play, and the obvious winner by listening to this episode of…. THE WHEEL: BAD MOVIE DRAFT
Ok, here we ..god I’ve seen so many of these..
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Hey Somethings!
I know we don’t talk a whole lot about sports on our show, but I’ve been thinking about some blog topics lately, and today, I’m listing off the Most Memorable Sports Moments that, in some way, I was witness to.
Super Bowl XLIII
I’ve been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan all my life, and this game ranks up there as one of their most memorable. Second quarter, Steelers leading 10-7 and on defense up against their own goal line, Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner fires off a shot to receiver Anquan Boldin with 18 seconds left. Steelers Linebacker James Harrison had faked a blitz and fallen back in coverage, intercepting the ball a yard into the endzone and begins to run it out.
What started as a fortuitous interception became the (at the time) longest return for a Touchdown in NFL history as the 6 foot tall, 245 lb Harrison ran the distance along the sidelines, his teammates blocking the whole way, to score a touchdown and put the Steelers up 17-7 at the half.
James Harrison runs 100 yards for Touchdown
Tony Hawk hits the 900
The time? 1999. The place? X Games V. The TV coverage should have ended, but no one was going to deny Tony today. Standing at the top of the half-pipe, other skates banging their trucks against the coping in time with the crowd cheering him on, Tony dropped in. Attempt after attempt he failed, twice landing on his board only to have it slip out from under him. One of the announcers can be heard saying “We know time is over, but we make up the rules as we go along.. let’s give him another try”. It took him 10 failed attempts, but on the 11th he landed it, and I have to say, I don’t think I’ve heard a louder crowd pop when he did. Watching the video still gives me chills.
Tony Hawk hits the first 900
The Intimidator at Daytona
Yes, this last one is a tragedy, but because of it an entire sport made amazing changes to do an even better job of protecting their drivers.
Daytona 500, Daytona Florida, 2001. February 18th.
Daytona, like Talladega, is a restrictor plate track for NASCAR, designed to limit the top speed of cars on these super fast tracks. in 2001, they instituted some new aerodynamic packages designed to keep cars bunched up and closer together, therefore allowing for more drafting and more exciting racing.
Headed in to Turn 4, final turn of the final lap… Dale Earnhardt Sr. was in 3rd behind Michael Waltrip and Dale’s son, Dale Jr. Contact with Sterling Marlin sent Sr’s car up the track and in front of Ken Scrhader who collided with Earnhardt as both cars sailed up the banked turn of Daytona. Dale slammed head on into the outside retaining wall at about 160 miles an hour before both cars slowly rolled back down the track to the infield grass. Waltrip would win the race with Jr. second as infield safety crew raced across the grass to Dale’s car. Dale was quickly taken to Halifax Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Less that 2 hours later, NASCAR President Mike Helton had to make the most devastating announcement he’d ever have to make.
2001 Daytona 500 Final Lap
– PCR
With 9 movies on the books, the Fast & the Furious Franchise, fun to say five times fast, seemed like the perfect spot for us to flex our Year 9 Anniversary muscles and go back behind the wheel to breakdown all of the hard turns the series have made. How much is a drag? How much does the series drift off course? These are car puns.
Have you tire’d of these yet? Fine. I get it.
So – join the Somethings as they take nine movies and put them into a ranking… what sits atop the mountain? Only one way to find out – on Something in Review: Fast Ranked!
A minor note – we mention a couple of graphics Rob and I did years ago, when discussing Fast 7, the Seven Deadly Cars… here’s some examples:
Ok, here we go… but for family.
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Ok, yeah – Rob got to do his thank you letter to celebrate, so I’m doing one too.. sorta..
Quite a few of you came to the Somethingcast from my time over at Inside Pulse, with another podcast I did, or perhaps didn’t do, depending on if they deleted the evidence like I requested…
After doing professional wrestling news and shenanigans for a bunch of years, like a lot of us have, I got sick of it. When you are reading wrestling and comic book news day in and day out, you really stop enjoying it at all. What’s exciting when I know precisely who is showing up in the Impact Zone? Where’s the fun in being aware of the direction the entire company is going towards for Wrestlemania next year? It just drags you down, so for that and a few other reasons I only talk about when I’m drunk, after doing it for less years than I’ve done this show, I bid adieu to the fine world of cutting edge wrestling and comic reporting.
It took two years before I got it stuck in my craw that I wanted to talk into a microphone again. The idea hadn’t been bobbing in my brain for long at all when I went to a local watering hole and I bumped into a guy I hadn’t seen in – no bullshit – fifteen? twenty? years. We had a drink, shot the shit, and I invited him to Wild Pig Comics to play some games and spent the time in between deciding if I wanted to get back into podcasting. (spoiler… i did)
The rest is the last nine years of goofing on Lost, Sleuuuuuuththths, the Mysteries of the Universe, and throwing anything at the wall to see if it’ll make us laugh.
That said, I’ve had the occasional person ask me to guest on their show or I’ve hosted a burlesque show with a co-host, and not a single one of them holds a candle to the chemistry Rob and I have. We joke about it, and it is true, that he and I have entirely different ethos about getting shit done and what should work and what doesn’t. He throws an idea and I shoot it down because of some off the wall complexity. I throw an idea and I can tell immediately in his voice he has no interest in it.. and, let’s be clear, the times I get my way, he’s usually right. (Why you people don’t want to watch the last episode of Small Wonder is utterly beyond me…) Somewhere in the middle though, there is this vein of gold that we don’t always hit, but sometimes you walk away from an episode going ‘Dammit, that was a good time…’
Anyway, Rob went out of his way to thank all of you – and I obviously do too, but it’s rare I talk about my side of how we got to where we are and thank Rob for making it as good as it is.
So thanks to all of you, and thank you Rob.
Happy Birthday Somethingcast!
Ok, here we go and go and go and go and go and go and go and go and go! (That’s 9, you don’t need to count)
First off – it is Year 9. Every year, the Somethings celebrate another year closer to the heat death of the universe with a celebration of all things Something. To start us off on our anniversary (which, if you look up is the pod-ery anniversary….. get it?) we have joined forces with a friend of the show of years upon years – Cthulu’s Prodigy (@cthulhusprodigy) from Blacker than Black Times Infinity (@bthanbti)
What are we going to talk about – video games! What games though? What about games that you think deserve another lease on life? Another chance at stardom? Games that you think the world wants to see again… or, maybe just you do – either way, we are tackling gaming remakes we want, even if you don’t.
Let the celebration begin!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
What a crazy train ride this has been!
9 Years
5 different studio locations
Numerous format changes
Over 340 episodes
Over 50,000 downloads
I’m gobsmacked.
If ANYone told Hatton and I 9 years ago that we’d still be going in 9 years, and we’d have gotten to talk to some of our favorite creators/tv personalities because of this show, we’d have thought they were crazy. Hell, we still do.
This show has meant a lot to us both over these past nine years. It’s been a creative outlet, a social outlet, an emotional outlet… I know personally it’s gotten me through some rough and dark times, but we.. and it… are still here.
We’ve met so many amazing people through this show.. people we otherwise would have never gotten to interact with, and that is something I will always cherish and be thankful for. It has gotten us opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. It has gotten us friends that we otherwise never would have met… all because 2 guys wanted to hear themselves talk.
For all those who’ve been on our show, Thank You.
For all those who’ve had us on their show, Thank You.
For all those who’ve recently found us and said “Huh.. let’s see what this is all about”, Thank you.
For all those Twitch Streamers we connected with, Thank You.
And for those of you who were there when we started… whether you never missed an episode, took a break, or are catching up on the backlog, Thank you.
I know it sounds repetitive, but.. my head is still spinning that we’ve been talking for 9 years… and people have been listening. YOU are the true legends, and we wouldn’t be here without you.
Do we have another 9 years in us?
Let’s find out….
OK HERE WE GO!
Boss! The Pod, The Pod!
If you think we are travelling to a beautiful holiday paradise, hanging with Tattoo, and making someone’s dreams come true… guess what, that ship sailed like three seasons ago, apparently. You see, walking into Fantasy Island, knowing very little about it – the Somethings learn quite a bit about what it means to have your dreams come true.
Also what its like to build a woman out of a dress mannequin. Also, a lesson about surrogacy from Charo.
What the hell is this show?!
Find out next on The End: Fantasy Island
Ok, here we deplane…
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Oh no – it’s the Steam Summer Sale again… please help me, no.
Amusingly enough, I recently came into a lot of different video games, so I’m really loathe to look through the endless deals that are going on in Steam. Playstation changed their whole monthly service, meaning instead of the two sub-par games they were providing you every month, you now have a library of games available to you for a couple bucks more.
I have faded a bit on playing console games, but when I saw some of what they offered, I paid upfront for the year and we’ll see what I think when it comes time for renewal.
Here’s the games I downloaded first.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY – This was up front top of the list on their advertising, and for good reason. It’s a game that sold very well, so they probably aren’t losing a lot of money in giving it away. For a budget gamer like me that was waiting for the price on this to drop to below $30 to now get to play it for almost free? Easy.
Anyway, it’s an almost on-rails action game with a ton of character. They really went somewhat deep into the comic lore, blending it with the movie lore so it’s fun for everyone and they don’t have to pay Chris Pratt for likeness licensing.
GHOSTS OF TSUSHIMA – This is the game I installed first. I have head nothing but good things, and with already 8 or 9 hours in, I get it. It’s Dark Souls combat, but easier. It’s Grand Theft Auto with samurai. It’s gorgeous landscapes and mythology. The fact that the world isn’t as engaging as something like Red Dead doesn’t matter when I’ve stopped to watch flowers bloom as I ride my horse across the world.
CHOCOBO MYSTERY DUNGEON: EVERYBUDDY! – It’s a loot-grinding dungeon crawler with rogue’y elements. Originally for the WII, it features big fluffy Chocobo in outfits as you give them classic Final Fantasy job classes. My wife, looking the list with me, looked at me like I had two heads as she is downloading the zombie world Days Gone, and I’m squeeing like I just got let out of elementary school early because I get to play with Chocobos.
So do you do Playstation Plus? What are you downloading. Tell us in all the usual places. Till then – this has been Hatton.
Have you ever watched a cartoon or a show, heard a jingle, remembered a piece of trivia that you could swear up and down was exactly how you remembered it, only to find out that not only are you wrong, but you are wrong with a whole slew of other people who think they remember it your way too?
Yeah, welcome to the Shadow Realm… aka, the Mandela Effect.
So grab a book about a family of bears, get your clearing house check, and find out if we.. or just you… are going to need a bigger boat.
Ok, here we go!
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Hey All, PCR here!
While driving home from work yesterday, I was re-listening to when we were on Gutting the Sacred Cow (Our episode, 92, can be found here…) and we got off on a brief tangent about collecting comic books and.. it got me thinking…
I collected a lot of varied titles.. from popular stuff, to stuff I (mistakenly) thought would increase in value, to things I… just LOVED reading regardless of what other people thought or how popular it was.
So here’s a not-entirely-comprehensive list of the stuff that was my guilty pleasure, even though they weren’t mainstream titles!
Badger – First Comics
Created by Mike Baron and originally published by Capital Comics before it landed at First Comics, Badger was the story of Norbert Sykes, a Vietnam vet who suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder. One of those identities is “The Badger”, a guy who calls everyone Larry, talks to animals, and is possibly the best martial artist vigilante around.
Dreadstar – First Comics
Originally published in Marvel’s offshoot “Epic” (it was Epic’s first title), it eventually landed at First where I found it during my collecting phase. The stories of Vanth Dreadstar, Iron Angel, Oedi, Willow and Skeevo was some of the best writing I had read in comics. The issues I had in my long boxes were written by either creator Jim Starlin or Peter David, and the artwork by Angel Medina was jaw dropping.
Howard Chaykin’s American Flagg! – First Comics
One of First Comics’ first titles (you’re probably seeing a pattern here…) American Flagg! was one of my first ‘non mainstream’ titles, and the one that introduced me to all the other First titles I collected. The story of Reuben Flagg, a former porn star turned Plexus Ranger in 2030 Chicago… Chaykin’s style was perfect for this title. The gritty and stylized artwork, the amazing characters, the story… Chaykin isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but man did I fall in love with this title. It was the only title I collected that I went out of my way to eventually pick up the entire run of.
Aliens – Dark Horse Comics
I was never really in to Black and White comics. Aliens changed that. The artwork by Mark A. Nelson and story by Mark Verheiden (later of Falling Skies fame) were riveting, and the original 6 issue run is nothing short of a masterpiece
Grimjack – First Comics
While Flagg! was my first foray into… well.. First, Grimjack filled that void once Flagg! ended and is easily in my top 3 all time title. Originally created by John Ostrander and Timothy Truman and later drawn by one of my favorite artists, Flint Henry, sometimes the character was John Gaunt, other times he was James Edgar Twilley, but he was always Grimjack and if you ever needed him, you just had to find your way to Munden’s Bar in downtown Cynosure.
For those who collected, or still do… what are YOUR favorite titles? Let us know over at @STSTCast on Twitter!
– PCR
What happens when you give Michael Bay a ton of money, a Dutch movie about a hostage situation, and tell him to go to town?
You get this hodgepodge of big action, big explosions, big cameras, and a plot that drives by at the speed of a man who just robbed a bank.
Does it work? Is Michael Bay finding his footings as an artist? There’s only one way to know on Something In Review: Ambulance!
Ok, here we vroom!
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The internet has made us all boiled frogs.
The boiled frog syndrome is that people don’t accept bad situations at once. If I was to suggest you need to listen to screams all day, you would think I was bonkers. If I told you that you would be given a dollar for every scream every hour… maybe you would say yes. Then the scream got a little longer. A couple more screams, but a slightly higher payout. Longer screams. A little less payout. More screams. Etc etc until your life is now making nothing and listening to a scream all the time. You would be a boiled frog, the temperature getting higher and higher until you didn’t even know you were dead.
So on one side of the internet, places like Facebook and Youtube have removed your ability to see things the way you would like to see them in lieu of providing you the things it expects you want to see. It doesn’t matter if you’ve seen them before or they are years old – their science has shown this content will provide them with the best situation for revenue, and what you want bedamned.
I spend more of my life than I would care to admit trying to find ways to give me data the way I want it. The people that have grown with the modern internet, at times, don’t even realize that these are options! The belief that for your video to be relevant it must be on Youtube or have high Ups on Reddit… all the while your work, your art, your podcast, your video, is chaff on the wheel of data aggregation.
Here – to help you all on your journey of freeing yourselves from the shackles of Big Data are some applications and programs I use to help me fight through the drudge of companies telling me what and how I want to look at things. If you have any more, you know where to find us….
BNTP – Bookmarks in New Tab
This is actually the thing that spawned this article. I lose links. Google is getting harder to find fine-tooth detail the way it used to. This bookmark app puts all of your links right up front and they’re super easy to read and organize. Love it.
Fluff-Busting Purity
Facebook is a nightmare. Ads. Data spread out. Timeline in hodgepodge order. Ads. Sponsored posts… which are really just ads. Only seeing 20 of your friends posts and feeling like you are missing out on so many other people’s lives. Fluff-Busting gives you a giant list of ways to change Facebook from dark mode to removing sidebars to tabbing everything. I have no idea what modern Facebook looks like.
Reddit Enhancement Suite
This is almost a gimme if you are a reddit user – but I have to assume there are some that aren’t aware of it. RES adds so many useful desktop features to Reddit. Sadly, organizational control over when articles came in isn’t one of them – but tagging users, mass opening, color coordinationn, tabbed viewing and grouping. It really makes Reddit a slightly less home for scum and villainy.
The first moments of a movie or TV show sets the stage for what’s to come… is it a tense moment to moment thriller? Is it confusing, where the plot reveals itself slowly? Is it a podcast that introduces itself the same way to you each week for the last 9 years?
Whatever the case may be – the first few moments of a show or movie may be the thing that keeps you glued to your seat… so join the Somethings as we discuss our favorites.
Did yours make the cut? Only one way to find out.
Okay, here we start!
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Happy Friday Somethings!
So, I’m 3 episodes in to Obi-Wan and… it’s… shrugs.. Ok… I guess.
Mind you, I do not consume all things Star Wars. Never saw Rebels or Clone Wars if only because I never checked them out… not because of some “anti show animosity”. Mando was great, BoBF was… okish, but Obi-Wan I wanted to enjoy more.
Are there cool aspects of it? Sure. Are there mind-numbingly dumb things that happen for the sake of moving along the store in a 6 episode show? Yes. SHOULD it be 6 episodes? Can’t give a full answer yet till it’s over, but I DO hate how these shows have become exposition to movies and nothing else. D+ “Shows” went from 9 episodes (still short) to 6 and personally, I feel like they’re doing their fans a disservice… but that’s a conversation for another day.
What I don’t enjoy.. is that the Star Wars universe is SO VAST.. they literally could tell any story they want and set it in the SW universe, and it could be awesome and make that already rich universe grow even more.. instead, we keep having stories set around the main players we’ve already seen for years. The latest SW trilogy took a half step in that direction, but rather hamfistedly in my opinion, and… to be fair.. the toxicness and entitlement of some of their fans (not that only SW suffers from this… EVERY fandom has it’s toxic side) makes it hard to strike out in new directions.
I’m hoping the last 3 episodes turn the show around for me, but if it doesn’t shrug oh well….
Want to hear some original Star Wars stuff? Go check out our friend Crystal Storm’s audio drama “Legacy” in your podcatcher of choice!
– PCR
What would you do when an alien crash lands into your garage, what do you do? Call the FBI? Scream and run? Invite it into your home to eat your food and your pets?
Well, if you are the Tanner family in the 80’s, it’s obviously the latter. That’s when Gordon Shumway found his into their home and lasted 4 years on NBC Monday nights. Hatton remembered this show fondly, Rob remembers it as a moment in television. Does it hold up? How does it end?
Honestly, it’s finale is pretty infamous, so you may know what’s about to come… but what did the Something’s think?
Find out on this week’s The End: ALF
Ok, here we go (to Melmac!)
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It’s that time a year again… my least favorite time of the year.
It should come as no shock that I’m a bit of a homebody, and the last two years have done absolutely nothing to help that. I enjoy going out and doing a thing on occasion, like hosting burlesque or having in-ring segments for UWA Elite, but by and large – I’m content at home. Inside.
Now though, as we reach the beginning of the Summer, the inside begins to bake. My apartment, for as much as I like it, has one major flaw… and it is that it is made out of some sort of anti-thermos material. It makes the tepidly warm things hot in the summer and cold in the winter – and on a nice breezy day, it ruffles their hair. So given we are on the cusp of my most miserable time, I thought I’d do a quick run down of the seasons, and my opinion of them. In order of favorite to least favorite.
WINTER – It’s a delight. You’re cold, so you put on a sweatshirt. You’re still cold, so you wear a blanket. Still cold? Drink some coffee. Seriously, nothing is better than being ever so slightly chilly, but having reasons to wear thermals and sweatshirts. Everything is crisp and crunchy and dead, which isn’t some gothy outcry.. you’ll understand in a moment.
FALL – I know a lot of folks who love the fall, mostly because of Halloween, but I do appreciate the change of fall. It’s probably the most visually pleasing of the seasons, and aside from Christmas smells, has the best flavor profile of the seasons. I would have to really think hard as to whether I like eggnog or apple cider more… so yes, Fall’s enjoyable, but it doesn’t get snow.
SPRING – Here’s where the pain begins. The first third is the inverse Fall, which is all the growing, budding, pollening, flowers with a nice breeze. The rest is a wet sloppy mess that starts climbing the roller coaster towards ..
SUMMER – No, I don’t want to go out. It’s hot. Yes, fine, I’ll go and enjoy the beach for a day or a pool, but I’m going to go home – and it’s still going to be this miserable sticky skin-blistering rage virus on my skin. And the bugs are out. So many bugs. All of the flying, buzzing, wooshing, biting, tree-falling, stinging, swarming, crawling bugs are out because outside is a dirty hellscape filled with monsters that are all trying to usurp our land with their nests. Remember that adorable and charming image of how you get warm in the Winter? Yeah… all you can do in the Summer is reverse it, and eventually you’re left naked, with nothing else to take off, and making whimpering noises every time the oscillating fan moves beyond you.
The Summer sucks, and if you are one of those ‘Oh Summer, rah’ types… I don’t want to hear you bitch when the thermometer hits three digit temperatures and you feel like saying things like ‘Real scorcher out there!’ — of course it is.
It’s Summer, and it hates you
– Hatton
On May 19that 9am, Livestream For The Cure kicked off with a goal to raise $20,000 for The Cancer Research Institute.
On May 20th, two behemoths met in the ring and duked out for supremacy. Who won? Who’s next? You decide.
That’s right – with Rob as Quizmaster, Somethingcast’s Hatton took on the Maestro of Livestream for the Cure, Nicholas Haskins in movie quote trivia.
If you missed the stream, we thought you would enjoy hearing what happens as these two people play a brutal game of cinema chess … but before you think you know what’s going to happen, ask yourself – what if they weren’t facing each other?
Are you ready for this battle of wits? Well, at least you are… but before we get the episode started, while this year’s goal was reached, the final tally hasn’t been taken yet. There is still time to bring the number even higher, and remember, all of the money goes to the Cancer Research Institute. Click here to donate.
Ok, here we quote!
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Morning Somethings!
You get A Little Something Extra a day early today because Livestream For the Cure kicked off at 9am TODAY and we couldn’t be more excited!
We’re raising $20,000 for the Cancer Research Institute over 3 days!
Head over to Livestream’s Twitch channel and watch all the amazing creators, and check out our “Movie Quote Trivia” segment Friday night at 9pm!
– PCR
We are the terror that flaps in the night… we are the podcast you listen to when you already caught up with RadioLab – we’re… the SOMETHINGSOMETHING DUC—CAST!
This week, we are going to Gotham with the newest installment in the neverending saga of one man’s fight against eye make-up.
How did Pattinson do as the man known as the Bat? How did he do as the Wayne? Did he sparkle in either role? What about the Riddler? The Catwoman? Egghead? Xyzzaz? The Condiment King?
Find out on this week’s Something in Review: The Batman!
Also – please be sure to tune in this Friday @9pm to support the Somethings as we get to be a part of Livestream For The Cure – Donations are open.
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Hatton here with this week’s blog that was supposed to be last week’s, but I have lost all cohesion and concept of the passage of time. Thanks Rob for picking up my dumb dumb slack.
Anyway – I am a Trek person. If you love all sci-fi equally, go you, but if I had to choose between watching a lightsaber or a phaser, I’m going to choose a phaser every time. That said, not all Trek has been created equally, and in recent years there has been a surprising number of new shows that wear the Trek name. Thankfully these shows have disregarded the Abrams version of Trek entirely and have rested solely on the ‘prime timeline’ for lack of a term.
So what are my thoughts on these new Treks? I thought I’d give my pros and my cons this week.
Star Trek: Discovery – Starting in a world before the original series, with nods to original Captain Pike, Tribbles, and Spock, we follow Michael Burnham who was the canonically inserted adoptive sister of Spock.
The good here is that this show has the heart of Trek right. The characters grow and learn lessons, they are humans who are fighting for the Prime Directive. Also, given this show is being produced now, the morality of Trek is updated along with it featuring women, people of color, non-binary, lgbtq all in the chain of command with absolutely no fanfare. There are moments of real tearjerking beauty in Discovery, and I look forward to every season.
The bad though… the bad is its main character, Michael Burnham. Not the actress, as Sonequa Martin-Green is excellent, but the character. Her primary flaw is that she isn’t perfect enough to compete with her near god-like Spock, so she is always fighting for relevancy when compared to him. That concept makes her too good at near everything else, and as the show goes on she seems to somehow get smarter than people at the height of their profession. Answering medical questions for doctors and history questions for anthropologists… she’s just too much at times.
Star Trek: Picard – The final adventures of my favorite captain, Picard is an interesting mix of nostalgia and telling stories outside of the standard ‘captain and his crew’ world that most shows lean into. I have only taken in the first season, but within we learn what’s happened to Data, Riker, Troi, Seven of Nine, and I have no doubt that there is more to come in the next Season. It clearly loves the source material and pays homage in every inch of it.
The bad is mostly plot oriented. It’s story, where fun and intended to take us to various corners of the universe and explore the aftereffects of what Picard went through in Next Generation, the big season plot would have largely never been a concern if not for the heroes getting involved. There is a season finale issue as well that others may have a problem with, but I’ll leave that for the forum-arguers.
Lastly – we have the cartoons. Lower Decks and Prodigy. Decks is a Family Guy style comedy and Prodigy is a CGI animated kid-friendly adventure. Both have their merits and their love of Trek on their sleeve. (Prodigy, notably features show friend Bonnie Gordon as the ship computer). Lower Decks makes fun of the things we love, but holds onto a lot of Trek’s heart, and Prodigy is a big adventure that, due to its CGI, sometimes feels less Star Trek and more Reboot… both though are enjoyable as hell.
So, what’s your favorite current Trek? Are you looking forward to Strange New Worlds? Sound off in the usual places. Hatton out.
Time again to bring the circle of fun back to the Somethings – it’s time for The Wheel!
This week, hate to spoil it, but we land on Creator Spotlight and the wheel has brought along the creative entrepreneur, writer, creator, roleplayer, fanfictioning, and all around fantastic human on the Prime Material and any other plane as well – Crystal Storm!
So maybe, before you dive in, go take a look at the place for all things Crystal: Crystal’s Imagination! and be certain to sign-up with her Twitch to keep on with her game playing!
But for now, come talk all the nerd shit with Crystal Storm!
Ok here we go!
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Hey all, PCR here!
I know we missed Friday’s blog post, we were a little busy doing a 12 hour stream over on Twitch helping to raise awareness for Livestream For The Cure 6!
Thanks to your early donations, we are OVER $1100 towards our goal of $20,000! That’s HUGE being just under 2 weeks away!
If you were looking to donate early, you can do so here!
If you see any of Livestream’s posts on social media, please give them a share! The more eyes we get on the event, the more money we can raise!
Thank you to all the early donators, and we look forward to seeing you May 19-21st for the stream!
– PCR
Imagine this – Johnny Law is on your tail, in the trunk you have a kilo of those really delicious strange flavored gummy bears from Japan that you didn’t pay the import tax on. You, in a suped up Kia Supreme, your partner in crime is in a Nitro-Boosted Toyota Corolla. Will you get across the county line before the Po takes your sweet sweet candies?
YOU might be in one of cinema’s greatest chase sequences.
Find out what high-octane, cat and mouse adventures the Somethings picked as their favorites on this week’s SomethingSomethingcast!
Ok here we VROOOOM!
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Hey all, PCR here (again!)
I’ve been in a weird music mood lately as I drive around for my job, and I’ve been falling back in to some Classic/Old School Rap tunes, so for those of you who love it so loud your rear view mirror vibrates, here’s what I’ve been bumping lately…
California Love – Dr. Dre/Tupac. A quintessential West Coast anthem. The lyrics from Dre feel laid back while Tupac’s verse has a sense of urgency feel to it. Both sides of that coin flow amazingly with the beat and the musical hook. “Bumpin’ and Grindin’ like a slow jam” indeed.
Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio. Quite possibly the most memorable thing about the movie “Dangerous Minds”. The haunting violins and chorus merge with the window-rattling beat as Coolio weaves his verses about being a victim of his surroundings and street upbringing. a subwoofer thumper for sure.
Rockbox – Run DMC. An even further back classic from their debut album, it was one of the first rap songs I can remember that merged with shredding guitar tracks to create something that had as-of-yet been unheard of.
Shake Ya Tailfeather – P Diddy, Nelly, Murphy Lee. From the Bad Boys II soundtrack, this is like a mini-recreation of “P. Diddy and the Fam”. Each verse is unique and fits each artist’s style while still maintaining the flow of the song. Still hits.
ANYthing off “No One Can Do It Better” – The D.O.C. I can’t even begin to think of how many hours and hours and hours this CD used to play in my car on road trips back in the day. A car accident crushed his larynx and changed his voice, but 7 years later he regained enough of it for his second album, but the debut record for the man who co-wrote Eazy E’s solo debut remains a classic.
– PCR
Some shows come and go with a ton of fanfare, and yet somehow, for some reason, we don’t get a Season 2. Think of some of the shows that you loved that never saw a second year? I know of at least one western sci-fi that hits the mark, along with Wonderfalls, and Cop Rock.
Anyway, in this instance, the show could most certainly have had a second season if the people behind the curtain pushed a little harder, but with no story arc to tell, and a large budget to account for… it went away after giving us an amazing 10 episode arc.
So let’s head into the past and future, lift a stone and see the creepy crawlies that are hiding in every magical corner of Lovecraft Country.
Does it still hold up? Well,only one way to find out… on THE END.
Ok, here we go, and we got our travel atlas…
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Hey Somethings, Podcast Rob here!
2022 is a Year of Milestones for us… July will mark 9 years of The Something Something ‘Cast, we hit over 50,000 downloads earlier this year, and by end of this year we’ll be at 350 episodes. Hell, we even got a quick shoutout on G4TV!
That’s. Nuts.
We NEVER would have guessed way back in 2013 when we started back in Hatton Studio 1.0 that we’d have gotten this far. It’s all thanks to you.
This show has given us the opportunity to meet and become friends with some amazing people that we never would have gotten the chance to otherwise, and we will always be grateful for giving us your time to bend your ear with our personal brand of humor and stupidity.
We’ve always kept our show fluid in the respect that this isn’t the same type of show as what we started with back in 2013. We’re always willing to change based on what people want to hear and what we think people will find entertaining. Sometimes we guess right, other times we don’t.. it’s all part of the process.
Today, I’m asking you, our listeners.. what do YOU like to hear from us?
Random babbling?
Reviews of Movies? New? Old?
Video Game talk?
TV Dissertations?
Mysteries?
We want to do more of what you want to hear, so please, don’t be shy and let us know at the following places!
somethingcast.com
Thanks for everything, and we can’t wait to do more!
– PCR
Gather round kids, because we are warming our hands on amazing Swedish Furniture in, THE WHEEL!
What topic will appear today? Well, the Somethings have been saddled with the idea of creating an all new DBD Killer and Powers… if you are unfamiliar, Dead By Daylight is a 4v1 game where one player is a crazy killer and the other 4 are trying to escape. If you ask the survivors, they’ll tell you that it’s about trying to annoy one person the best way possible. If you ask a killer player, they’ll tell you it is about destroying players with the most unfair way possible. Either way, the game is fun for all.
So what new monster will the boys come up with? Only one find out… on THE WHEEL: DBD Elevator Pitch
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Hatton time … but wait, you said, it’s not Hatton time. Hatton time was last week and we are unsure if we can handle this much greatness.
Well, suck it up, because tomorrow’s my birthday and I’m heisting the blog this week. Why? You see, your friendly neighborhood Hatton has a certain ailment that has affected him off and on since he was a child, and that is the curse of needing to write imaginary things down. Legally, I believe it is called ‘writing’. That said, when I’m in a writing rut, I have a secret that I’m going to share with you today. That is, I have a Reddit account… I know, scandalous.
That account writes short horror stories out of nowhere – which is why, it’s called SurpriseHorrorStory
So for my birthday, here’s a gift of some creepiness from posts I’ve done in the past.
-=-=-
Mum and Papa were awoken before the sun lit their bedroom by Billy crashing into their bedroom, “THANK YOU! OH THANK YOU SO MUCH!”
Parents expected to wake up early on Christmas morning, but not so urgently. The pair exchanged glances with each other, and then to their closed closet doors. Billy’s new bike, his big gift this year, was tucked away in their closet. The rest of his gifts were wrapped, so what was he so excited about?
“He is adorable and I love him! He hasn’t told me his name yet, but he enjoyed the rest of Santa’s cookies.” The boy was vibrating with joy.
“Son? ..What are you talking about?” Papa asked, sliding out of bed and into his slippers. He then heard the crash of something downstairs. Glass shattering. The cat screaming angrily.
Billy, oblivious to the noise, said, ‘My Furby, Papa. He’s adorable!” The stairs creaked. “Oh! He’s coming up the stairs! I didn’t know they could do that!”
(Source)
-=-=-
“Look, I don’t know which one of you is doing it, but it’s starting to freak me out.”
My coworkers all shared confused glances as I sat down with my lunch. It wasn’t surprising, only one of them was likely guilty.
“The sign.. the googly eyes sign?” I asked, imploring one of them to reveal themselves, but nobody started giggling or raising their hand.
I sighed. In the ideal version of this conversation in my head, one of them admitted it was them and they could explain it to the group. With nobody owning up, I was the one that would have to tell the story and be the source of the laughter.
“Someone keeps screwing with the earthquake sign.. the stupid one with the googly eyes so that the eyes are always staring at my desk.” And the laughter came. It was contained as each of them realized I was taking this seriously, but it was most certainly going to come out more explosively when I wasn’t around.
With nobody owning up, I finished my lunch without much more discussion about it and went back to my desk, watching as the eyes followed me from the hallway to my seat.
Did they look angrier today?
(Source)
-=-=-
♫ Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Following new friends, while remaining hidden
Hiding my pistol inside of my sling
These are a few of my favorite things.
Starting off easy, then getting quite brutal,
using a knife so much that it gets too dull
Hearing the new words that my new friend sings
*These are a few of my favorite things ♫
(Source)*
Imagine you wake up, have your coffee, go to work, go home, and the cycle repeats. Every day. No variation. Nothing other than the same drudgery you’ve come to know for as long as you can remember.
And now that you are crying, why not listen to the Somethings talk about the new Ryan Reynolds tale, Free Guy (not, as Hatton may have you believe, Fall Guy). Is the movie funny? Too nerdy and inside baseball? Too simplistic and generalized for a broad audience? And what about Michael Myers?
Find out the answers to these and a whole lot more as you settle in to another 8 hour slogfest at the paper pushing cubical you call a life, on Something In Review: Free Guy
Ok here we take an arrow to the knee…
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I promised myself that I was going to try and get through more books this year. I’ve digested so many movies, I honestly find myself not watching many lately, and the ones I do watch tend to be old schlocky sci-fi movies with people making fun of them underneath. MST3k and Rifftrax really have warped my brain that way…
Anyway, I promised I was going to read more, and I gave myself the allowance of audiobooks. I realized that I had a couple Audible credits just hanging out that I hadn’t touched from years ago, so I reinstated my account and between physical titles and audiotitles, I’m actually not doing so bad with a half-dozen or so books read this year. On that note, audiobooks get the same treatment that movies I don’t have interest in – I listen to them at 1.25x because most readers are just too slow and I get distracted way too easily.
So here’s some books that I’ve braindumped in one form or another, and what I’ve thought of them. I’ll warn you – they’re mostly not great…
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD – Read mostly because of the cover and the title, this is a young adult book in the Christopher Pike, RL Stein variety where a bunch of kids deal with the craziness going on around them. It isn’t great, but it definitely will remind you of some late 90’s slasher films you’ve seen. If you want something fluffy to inject into your brain, you could go a lot worse than ‘Clown’ … hell, you could go with…
FANTASTICLAND – Let’s start with the fact that the elevator pitch of this book is great. ‘What if we did the Warriors, but at Disney?’ and the first half of the book is trying to convince you that this premise is occurring. In the style of World War Z tales from people that surrounded the incident, Fantasticland is a damned mess that, the longer you scrutinize, the less sense it makes… oh, and why does an amusement park turn into a post-apocalyptic wasteland (without an apocalypse).. because these damn kids turn to monsters without their phones, by gum. Blech.
THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP – I really enjoy Grady Hendrix. His stories take a simple premise and go crazy with it. ‘HORRORSTOR’ is ‘What if you had a haunted Ikea’. ‘SOLD OUR SOUL’ is ‘What if a band did sell their souls for rock & roll?’. And FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP is.. well, just what the title tells you. What if the horror we digested in the 70s and 80s weren’t fiction, but fictionalized historical accounts of actual events. What would Laurie Strode, Nancy Thompson, and Sidney Prescott be like in group therapy? It’s fun, tells a great story, and Hendrix has a love of his source material.
THE TROOP – Finally, ok.. if you want to be skeeved the hell out. If you want a novel that will turn your stomach, feel big and creepy and icky, and completely satisfying from top to bottom? I give to you Nick Cutter’s The Troop which, elevator pitch version is: ‘Stand By Me’ but ‘OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT THING?’ …A troop of boy scouts are on a private island for an overnight trip, but they run into some problems. I know that says nothing, really, but you really should just dive in blind and be grossed out like it wants you to be.
Hatton, do you read anything other than horror?
Yes, I go through phases… as I’m currently reading Christopher ‘Eragon’ Paolini’s new scifi book ‘To Sleep In A Sea of Stars’ ..and it’s ok.. I’ll let you know some other time how it turned out, but I’m pushing to get to the end if that helps.
So what have you been reading? You know where to tell us…
Nick Haskins is a good dude. Do you know why? Maybe it’s because you were a fan of his podcasting work… (Like, Epic Film Guys, perhaps…) or maybe it’s because you enjoy cooking with him on Twitch (At Nikoli’s Kitchen)
If you listen to us enough, you have most definitely heard his name as the Grandmaster and creator of Livestream for the Cure – where podcasters gather around the ol’ internet fire and fight to help fund a world without cancer. With that said, we got him on the line with us and we talk about podcasting and running a multi-day event, and what such an event could evolve into. It’s a really great time with a really great human.
Ok, here we go!
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Hey all, Podcast Rob here,
One of my biggest gripes about movies is how amazingly misleading the first thing we see about them is…. The Trailer. I feel that, over time, the movie industry has gotten more insidious with movies that, while they may publicly praise and hype up, are worried internally about siad movie’s performance… so they go out of their way to make the trailer look as tasty as possible to get ases in seats even when they know the movie won’t live up to it. I suppose in a way it’s no different than seeing a commercial of an amazingly delicious looking burger only to open the container and see roadkill on a bun.
That said.. here’s a few of my BIGGEST issues….
Avengers : Age of Ultron. Look, I love me some James Spader, and when I first heard him as the voice of Ultron I thought this movie was going to be a homerun. The eerie “I’ve got no Strings” was shiver-inducing. Unfortunately, the movie left me watching itless like Thor seeing Cap almost lift the hammer, and more like Ultron watching humanity and just shaking his head…
Highlander : Endgame. Yes, yes, yes… “There Should Have Been Only One” (they’re not wrong…). Biggest gripe about this movie? There’s a scene in the trailer when the silhouettes of Connor and Duncan are fighting Kell (aside : What’s with K for all the bad guy names? Kurgan, Katana, Kane, Kell…), and Kell gets cut in half and becomes TWO Kells, each fighting one of the Highlander pair. It was something no Highlander villain had done before, and would have been amazing to see on the screen, except that was ONLY in the trailer and never mentioned nor teased in the movie.
The Crow : City of Angels. There’s a version of the theatrical trailer from 1996 that shows a shadow on an exterior wall of a crow landing and transforming into Ashe Corvin (not the WORST name in the movie… I still laugh that the guy who played “Judah Earl” in The Crow : CoA also played “Jubal Early” in Firefly….). Another instance of establishing something completely new in the canon of the movies that never actually made it into the movie.
Godzilla (1998). They shows JUST enough of Godzilla rampaging through New York City to get you really excited, and the scream at the end sent chills down your spine.. but once the whole creature was revealed, the “Uhhh… what?” was just the start of the repetition of that phrase throughout the rest of the film.
Matrix : Resurrections. This trailer hit the nostalgia vein for sure, but not only was the movie an unnecessary and thinly-veiled money grab by the studio… the movie was self-aware enough to TELL you it was an unnecessary and thinly-veiled money grab.
What are some of your trailers that were better than the movies?
ALSO
Livestream For The Cure 6 is May 19th-21st! 9am-Midnight each day! 100% of all donations go to The Cancer Research Institute, and this year we’re shooting for $20,000. Please come join us and a whole host of other amazing content creators from around the world to help make a world immune to cancer.
Follow at @livestream4cure on Twitter and @Livestreamforthecure on Facebook for more details. For those looking to donate, the early donations link is currently OPEN and can be found here… https://fundraise.cancerresearch.org/fundraiser/3744472
– PCR
There’s a reason we promote the Livestream for the Cure so heavily – and that is because it is an amazing cause, done by an amazing person, featuring tons of talented podcasters (and us!) — we will continue to tell you to go to the link, share the link, and be a part of the weekend in any way you can.
That said, it is the extra Tuesday of the month, so instead of doing a Free-For-All, we are going to replay last year’s Somethingcast episode during the event, where Rob and I concocted our own theme park amusement rides out of famous franchises. And, guess what… one of them is actually happening!
Join us with Nick Haskins and enjoy the ride.
Ok, here there we went!
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Hatton here with a blog this week, and since we are starting in on the Livestream for the Cure season – I came across a charity purchase that, if you are reading this in a month or so will have less relevance, but not absolutely none.
You see, I have been a fan of Bundle sites for years. The most famous, and the center of this article, Humble Bundle, are sort of the Godfather of the ‘spend less for more’ software and gaming bundle packs. There are a few sites that due similar things nowadays: Fanatical, Epic Bundles, etc… but Humble has always felt the most legit – and as they now distribute their own line of games, there’s good reason.
To put money, and donation is 100%, to the war efforts in Ukraine, they are doing a helluva bundle right now with the Stand With Ukraine Bundle. $40 for over 100 games, some software, a few pieces of 3D terrain renders, comics, etc… it doesn’t matter that I already own some of the topline games on that list, it was an easy purchase. So I thought I’d list a couple of the games I have tried, or already love from the set. If this little post gets another donation to a good cause, it was worth it.
SATISFACTORY – Ever play Factorio? Do you like automating coal mining so you can automate iron mining so you can automate robot generation so you can automate your automation automator? Yeah… Satisfactory is Factorio in an FPS style – and it’s gorgeous. Great biomes, gorgeous landscapes, and giant girder structures with a good sense of humor. I’ve spent an idiotic amount of time building my horrible factory that I am very aware is inefficient.. but damn is it fun.
SLAY THE SPIRE / RING OF PAIN – I pushed these together because they are very much cut from the same ‘Deckbuilding Roguelike’ style of game that Slay the Spire planted a flag in and games like Ring of Pain brought their own concept to. I don’t play CCGs because I am not good enough at deckbuild strats to win enough to have fun, but I sure as hell don’t mind losing hundreds of time to the same damn knight who keeps getting in my damn way. Very much a ‘Play for 5 minutes, realize it’s been 2 hours’ kind of game.
SUNSET OVERDRIVE – This was my big surprise out of the bundle so far. A game from Insomniac Games (Spyro, Ratchet & Clank) that looks and feels like Fortnite (but 3 years earlier), plays like Jet Set Radio or Aggressive Inline, and is an open world’y, tower defense’y, splatterfest? How did I miss this when it came out? Now, to be fair, the reason I probably missed it is because it isn’t the greatest game. The controls are very loose, the music cuts in and out as it sees fit, and the targetting is miserable… but for the cost of .37 cents? It’s tons of fun!
That’s just a couple – I’ve tried Corridor Z, a runner that’s obviously a port from mobile that’s ok. Necroworm, a Sokoban puzzler, Neverout, a ‘Cube’ puzzle that hurts my head, and Pop-Up Dungeon, a ‘tabletop rpg’ style strategy game… so, if you see this early enough – give to a good cause – try a bunch of games – and tell the developers thanks.
Tick.. tock… tick… tock… The Doomsday Clock clicks towards the inevitable, and we stand here at the precipice of… The End!
This week, we’re talking about the last moments of the world, potentially, as the former vigilantes turn heroes of the Watchmen have left a generation pass and the world has moved on and evolved based on the giant squid of New York.
What has happened to Ozymandius, Doctor Manhattan, the Silk Spectre and the rest? Well, the HBO Series told us… but was it good?
So settle in as the Somethings bring about the end of the world as we know it – and we feel fine on The End: Watchmen
Ok, here we go… to Mars
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Yes, it’s true.
I’m weening myself off slowly… (slowly…) but… it’s hard.
So, I was always a “Hey, let’s look at Steam and see what free games they have!” and, truth be told, a lot of it is the Valorant/Paladins/Apex type of games that.. I’ll be honest.. I fucking suck at.
But Epic Games… (~shakes fist at sky~ DAMN YOU EPIC GAAAAAAAAMES!) they pump out a new free game every Thursday, and, over the pandemic, there were times where it was a new one almost every 24 hours.
I JUST got in to Red Dead Redemption II (Which wasn’t free, but got on super deep sale) and.. I finally decided to sit down and dig through games I got through Epic but haven’t played yet… so, here are some of the ones out of the over 100 I have on EPIC that I haven’t played but am eager to get in to…
ABZU – I tried 5 minutes of it.. and the game is beautiful. I get the sense it’s going to be super short… but the visuals alone are worth checking out.
Vampyr – I loved Bloodlines from WoD, and am eagerly waiting for Bloodlines 2 to finish.. until then, this game has some great reviews and I’m hoping to relive some of the feel I got from Bloodlines to hold me over till the sequel.
Obduction – It’s from the creators of Myst, which means I’m already sold
Shadow of the Tomb Raider – I never played TR on the original PlayStation systems, but did pick up Tomb Raider (2013) on Steam and really enjoyed it. If it’s anything like it.. I’m looking forward to finally tucking in to it.
Games I HAVE gotten to play…
Saints Row The Third : Remastered – It’s GTAV with more camp, sarcasm and gratuitous.. well.. everything, and I’m having a blast with it so far.
Control – I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this game, and even though I’m only about 3 hours in, I am absolutely loving everything about it.
Elite Dangerous – Friends of mine introduced me to this game through VR a few years ago and.. this game is simply stunning. It looked great on my old RX 580 gpu, it looks AMAZING on a RTX 3060. If you check it out, be prepared to lose large chunks of your life to it.
Shadowrun Returns – Not gonna lie, I loved/hated “Shadowrun” on the Super Nintendo. This has the same feel, but so much smoother and…just.. better overall. I’m a sucker for the world of Shadowrun, and I really need to make time to get back in to this one.
What free games are YOU looking forward to checking out? What have you played you enjoyed? Let us know!
ALSO
Livestream For The Cure 6 is May 19th-21st! 9am-Midnight each day! 100% of all donations go to The Cancer Research Institute, and this year we’re shooting for $20,000. Please come join us and a whole host of other amazing content creators from around the world to help make a world immune to cancer.
Follow at @livestream4cure on Twitter and @Livestreamforthecure on Facebook for more details. For those looking to donate, the early donations link is currently OPEN and can be found here… https://fundraise.cancerresearch.org/fundraiser/3744472
– PCR
It’s time again for the finest in Swedish Podcasting Technology THE WHEEL!
But first – it’s that time of year again. We are gearing up for Livestream For The Cure, so please save the date, May 19th – 21st.
On the show this week, we spin the wheel, we connect at 2400 bps, and we get a brand new topic where we just talk about some of the stuff we’ve seen. It’s a new take on an old classic. Hatton’s watched a bunch of horror movies, Rob’s watched a bunch of television, and both have hunted buffalo.
What the hell does that mean? Only one way to find out!
Ok, here we go!
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♫ Superstardom overload
I need to get back on the road
Tune it all out and turn it up too loud
Do people still wave lighters in the crowd? ♫ – Dada: Information Undertow
I have to assume that it’s because of the pandemic.. the long hours spent in front of my computer or, at the very least, at home – where I no longer was driving 30 minutes to and fro my job, that I’ve found myself burnt out on entertainment. It’s surprising, but not shocking, if that makes sense. Between being furloughed and then working from home, I had a literal 8+ hours more of my life that I had to find to dedicate to something. It took a few months to stop beating myself up over the fact I wasn’t creating art in some capacity… I beat a few video games… hell, even wrote a list about it. But now that we are sort of coming out the other side of things, painfully slowly, and yet I still get the chance to work from home – I find that I am less and less interested in diving in to nonstop television.
There was a great time where we had Mando and Lovecraft and Bucky and Watchmen and Wanda and… it was a buffet of high-budget entertainment that was literally catered to nerdy ol’ me – but other than my wife saying ‘hey, let’s watch a movie together’ or a few ‘I must see this’ bits, I find my desire to load up anything other than a podcast or some music to be dwindling. Recently, in video gaming, I started to notice the same ADHD tendency my movie viewing habits had taken on… HEY NEW THING.. HEY NEW THING.. sale HEY 4 NEW THINGS.. and I’m curbing that and doing my best to not play 6 games at once, but one.. maybe two. Hell, I’ve read more books since January than I did in 2021.
My point is simply that I have been eating a lot of candy for the last three years, figuratively speaking (ok, fine, and literally) and my brain started begging for different kinds of sustenance. Eventually, I’ll get to Boba Fett.. and yeah, I’m still all about the new season of Westworld when it comes out, but I have no interest in binging Obi-Wan… I think I’d rather finish that Grady Hendrix book…
What about all of you – have you had a burnout experience during all of this? Let us know in all the usual places. Til then, I’m Hatton.
There is a movement in horror to bring back the classics. We went through the remake era with the 2000’s versions of Friday and Nightmare, but Saw and, most popularly, Halloween, has show us that there are stories to tell a few decades later in the same universe.
Now Netflix is getting in on the action with a late-quel? (is that a word?) of the horror classic, Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Does it have the same legs that Laurie Strode and Michael Myers had? I ask, because that’s clearly what they were asking in the scriptwriting room…
So settle in to a dusty little empty street in Texas where nobody notices anything and real estate is cheap – it’s time for Something In Review: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Ok here we g.g.g.g.g.ggggooooOOOooo.. (that was a chainsaw noise)
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James and I are, once again, honored and thrilled to be involved in this year’s Livestream For The Cure. Mark your calendars and join us, it’s always an amazing time for a phenomenal cause!
And now…a message from Nicholas Haskins…
Hello one and all!
The page at the Cancer Research Institute site is now live. Early donations can be made up to and through the event on this page. Please share this with anyone you know who might be able to help spread the word.
https://fundraise.cancerresearch.org/fundraiser/3744472
100% of proceeds go to the Cancer Research Institute and immunotherapy research, training the body’s immune system to fight against all forms of cancer. The donations are tax deductible. This year for the Livestream for the Cure we’re aiming for our biggest goal ever of $20,000, and we need your help to do it. Together, we can make a difference.
Together, we can ignite the spark of hope in a future immune to cancer. Please, help us fight for that future. The biggest question we always get about the event is, “How can I help?” Not everyone can donate, but everyone can help to share the event on social media and spread the word so we can have a great shot of hitting our goal.
Please join us for the live event at https://twitch.tv/livestreamforthecure. We’ll be live May 19th – 21st from 9 AM to Midnight each day fighting for a future where cancer is a distant memory. I’ll be joined by creator partners from around the world, who are coming together to help put an end to cancer in our lifetime.Follow the event on Facebook @LivestreamForTheCure.
Follow us on Instagram @LivestreamForTheCure.
Follow the event on Twitter @Livestream4Cure
Thank you so much for fighting alongside me. Let’s work together for a better world. Let’s work for a future without cancer.
Nicholas HaskinsLivestream for the Cure
Right now – if, all of a sudden, this opening introduction was interrupted by — hey! Look! It’s THE SMOKE MONSTER!
Ok, he’s gone, but wasn’t that crazy and sort of ironic given we have a previous relationship with him so it makes sense, but ultimately is more of a meta commentary than an actual one about the contents of the show and the surprise of a guest who didn’t even get a word in.. or, in that instance, a chain rattling?
So, since that happened – why don’t you settle in with Hatton and Rob as we discuss our favorite cameos in film — ROBERT DeNERO!? What are YOU doing here?
Oh, Bob.. that scamp… Ok, here we OHHH IT’S PERD HAPLEY!
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The announcements of WWE’s new video game are out, and I laugh and laugh every single time because at the end of the day: nothing changes. To be fair, if there is a WWE game that ever deserved an eyeball, it will be this year, but I don’t expect a lot. Why this year? Because the last WWE game was a trainwreck beyond trainwreck that damn near destroyed the studio that was building it.
It was not only a dramatically similar game to the year prior, it was a buggy mess.. and when it comes to games, like most sport-oriented games, where year to year they just slap a new coat of paint and update the year, it was shockingly funny – especially when they ask a top dollar price for these games and offer at least 6 months worth of DLC.
So, with that in mind, I thought I’d talk about a few features I would love in a wrestling game.
GM MODE
But Hatton, tons of wrestling games have had this – and they do, but never the way I want.. and I think that’s because wrestling sits in this strange ‘liminal’ sport. It isn’t a REAL sport, so it isn’t as simple as putting two teams against each other, but in a video game it isn’t entirely SCRIPTED. That means that you have this mix of an action game and The Sims, where your results are based on vague numbers like ‘Audience’ and ‘Rating’.
I want a much more story driven GM mode. Literally, the fictional GM in a fed where putting good wrestlers into nonstop bad matches gets them mad at me or creating shows of 5-star classics gets me a raise. Where I can slowly make bad wrestlers into main eventers, and I can make people thrilled with Hogan is defeated by Barry Horowitz.
HEEL / FACE MODE
There is one game that does this – and if you’ve talked to me about wrestling games, I’ve probably apologized for loving it.. and that’s Rumble Roses. Do heel stuff, you go bad guy. You save good guys, you become a good guy. Yes, in Rumble Roses, the good guy is a sexy librarian and the bad guy version is a dominatrix librarian… but the idea is still badass.
NO MERCY’S STORY – BUT A BETTER GAME
Bring on your hate. No Mercy for the N64 isn’t a good game… want proof? How did you beat the APA in a NO DQ Handicapped match? I’ll tell you how – you stood outside and threw stairs at them until one of them was knocked out because it was impossible to win by wrestling them.
No Mercy, though, has one of the greatest storylines in wrestling gamery.. the story has branches, and tells you where the branches are. If you win this match you’ll go discover THIS plot – if you lose, THIS plot. If you knock out the ref, DIFFERENT plot. It was so unique and such a great way to show the avenues wrestling can go in, I am shocked nobody has tried it since.
In the end, I just want a wrestling game that feels engaging to me, a guy who likes playing video games alone. I don’t care about online play, and I don’t want a stat-grinder.. I have Disgaea for that. I want what wrestling really is – and that’s interesting stories – albeit, interesting stories told by men in shiny underpants.
Send all your scathing disagreement about No Mercy to @RevVoice and @STSTCast, and we’ll see you next time!
– Hatton
♫ Three two one.. let’s jam..
Do those few words blow your mind out with a brass section? Do you immediately start thinking about bloodshot eyes, gunplay, and corgis? Well, if not, then you are probably going to be very confused about this episode, as we are talking about the end of the Netflix live-action of Cowboy Bebop.
Bounty Hunters against the world – and we are only watching the last episode… does it hold up? Was the show worth another season? Is anime even possible to do right on the bigger screen?
Let’s talk about it here – on The End: Cowboy Bebop
Ok, here we go, space cowboy…
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Yes, it’s a terrible joke….
…but not as terrible as seeing between the veil and dealing with The Old Ones and the Elder Gods and non-euclidian geometry….
I love me some Lovecraft. Yes, Howard Philip was an amazingly troubled individual whose views on politics, class, and race were questionable, but this blog isn’t here to dissect the man.. more the medium of his works.
I recently watched “Color Out Of Space” and… two things struck me…
1) Nicholas Cage will say “yes” to anything.
2) Lovecraftian movies just… aren’t that great.
The closest thing I’ve seen to a TRUE “Lovecraftian Movie” was “In the Mouth of Madness”. It conveyed not only the weird waking-dream-slash-blurring-the-line-of-perceived-reality-and-what-really-the-fuck-might-be-going-on but the slowly seeping in horror/madness of many of Lovecraft’s works.
Unfortunately, movies like “From Beyond”, “Dagon”, and “The Void” are the usual offerings which either feel like they’re dancing around the edges of the story, or diving in with such gusto that a 5 page short story is turned into a 2 hour movie adding so much more than the original story did, that it’s just as ‘different’ but from the other side of the coin.
I think the problem with many Lovecraft translations stems from the fact that, through writings and notes… Lovecraft himself stated he wasn’t very good at writing action sequences.. so he largely avoided them… which.. makes for slow-paced movies. Also, his descriptions were either fringe and minimal to let your imagination fill in the blanks (which oft-times can be far more horrifying) , or such a psychedelic fever-dream of description that it’s not something that translates well to film.
I know Alan Moore often complained that he wished people would stop making movies out of his works as they were intended to best be told correctly on in the medium he presented them in (I think he’s wrong…), but from what we’ve seen in movie adaptations from the works of H.P. Lovecraft… Moore might be right. Just.. not about his own works.
– PCR
The Wheel has returned… and the narrative of the Wheel takes a new turn! Get it? Nevermind…
Anyway, there are some new topics on the Wheel, and we have been hit with one of them. You know how Rob and Hatton are always talking about their favorite things? Well, this week they are talking about the Bottom 5, the worst, the shameful, the hysterically bad, and the ‘wait what?’ in the realm of computer generated graphics and green screen in film.
So gather round and think back to all of those horrible aliens, blood splatters, and technological marvels that were clearly added in post, just like your hosts on BOTTOM 5: CGI
Ok, here we go!
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Well dip me in chocolate and gift me on Valentine’s – one of the games that I love that nobody really mentions, Chrono Cross, is getting the Square Enix video game remake treatment. I’m elated, although that is tempered by the fact that Squeenix are notorious for giving “important” games a notable spit and polish, while only giving games like Chrono Cross – games that didn’t move the needle – a visual upgrade, but then never go back to fix the new bugs or UI issues they’ve created.
With that in mind, I thought I’d drop three more games here that I would be ecstatic over if they got an out of nowhere remake – games that I’ve sunk a dumb amount of time into that have been lost to shruggable sales figures so not as many people are willing to part with their nostalgi-bucks.
ADVENTURES OF LOLO
I’ve mentioned this game at least once before, it was a single screen puzzler where you were a little blue ball trying to collect hearts. It was 100% a game for puzzle nerds, but it was, at times, gruesomely hard. You could call it simply a revved up sokoban-style game, and it is, but there were so many wonderful additions, power-ups, monsters, and evil mechanics in that game, I’d be on line day one to get a copy of something new.
KLAX
If you know this game – you already are hearing the sound of small colorful bricks slapping against each other. Klax looks like you took Guitar Hero and made it makeout with Tetris. A match three game with colorful bricks clacking down a chute.. I don’t know why I played this every time I found it at an arcade.. I don’t know what weird itch it scratches in my brain – but Tetris Unleased shows you can take something simple and give it a fresh coat and have it be amazing. Klax deserves that very treatment.
TRON
I hear you, if you are a nerd of a certain vintage, ‘Do you mean Deadly Discs or Light Cycles’ and the answer is – yes, obviously. We live in an era of VR – of big arena games – of Battle Royale games – we live in an era where a series of Tron games, whether alone or in a Fall Guys style ‘the last 10 people don’t make the next round’ would be astounding. All I’ve asked for in this world since I was 8 was a good modern light cycles game. (There have been attempts, none have been given the Hatton seal of approval) — but why not Deadly Discs? Why not firing your disc against a spinning MCP? Why not flying a Recognizer over the Grid to escape? WHY – NOT!? ANSWER ME!?!??!
…sorry. What are some games that you think deserve some re-thinking? You know where to let us know!
– Hatton
It has been a long time since we have tackled the world of comic book swashbuckling, so we’re doing it with style by inviting one of our ol’ friends to talk funny books and martial arts – the maestro of Kung-Fu Drive-in Podcast, Geoff Vita!
We’re heading off to Ta Lo to discuss some of the bigger pictures of the new Marvel Phase, discussing representation in the new run of Marvel movies, and of course how much kickass is the new MCU butt-kicker kickin
So join us as we head to a mystical land, and remember, ‘kick, punch, it’s all in the mind‘
Ok, here we fu!
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Hey guys, Rob here….
The title basically says it all. These are movies that.. in some way… enticed us into watching them, either by clever trailers, word of mouth, or sheer morbid curiosity… only to leave us far stupider than when we went in.
This list is FAR from all inclusive, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on YOUR entries to this list…
Let’s get to it!
Sausage PartyI mean, they let us know who and what this movie was right in the trailer right? Anthropomorphic food trying to find the meaning of their existence, all the while filling the screen with a level of perverseness that would make the cast of Porky’s blush. And yet… even knowing what we were getting ourselves into.. this movie left us feeling mentally regressed.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)Let’s take a beloved horror movie franchise, reboot it, and suck every last ounce of what made it great out of it! A lot of people thought Jackie Earle Haley would make a great Freddy Krueger (myself included) but this horrible vision made me feel as if I lost 1/3 of my brain cells.
Any Adam Sandler MovieOk, I take that back. Waterboy was fun as hell, and The Longest Yard, while a husk of the original, had enough cameos to make it fun to watch. Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer can be exempt as well…but those were in “The Before Times” Anything even REMOTELY recent? Nah fam. I mean.. good on him for being able to play exactly ONE type of character and building an entire career on it, but Ernest did it first.
MalignantOk, I came to this bandwagon late, and had ignored any and all hype about it. That being said… JESUS this movie is not at all good. From the forced attempt to make an ‘iconic’ weapon, to the hilariously horrible CGI of Maddy’s face in the fight in the police station, this entire movie is a spot-fest of “What the fuck am I watching… and why am I still watching it?”
What movies made YOU dumber? Let us know!
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@STSTCast on Twitter
– PCR
It’s February, and you know what that means… it’s time for another episode. I actually am not entirely sure what else it could mean.
To start off this month of love, we are bringing one of America’s sweethearts to the front of the line. He has been an action star, a romance star, a heist star, a car star, and a truffle farmer st– wait what? Anyway.. it’s Momma Coppola’s Baby Boy – Nicolas Cage.
From a meme legacy to being a lot of people’s favorite dirty secret… Cage has been in a LOT of movies, and we’re here to just talk about a few of our favorites. So settle in, swallow after every thing you say, and keep your mouth slightly agape – it’s time for our favorite Nic Cage movies.
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We do our best to not get political – we have our opinions, but it is totally not what the Somethingcast is about… so if we take away any perceived anthropomorphic attraction anyone has to the Green M&M, and we disregard any fanfiction that may have been written about her, Erin the E-Surance Girl (Remember her? If not.. don’t google her), and the Michellen Man in a menage tire. What we’re left with is a time-honored question of what really is the best candy out there? So, because it’s kinda what we do, I compiled a list of mine, and my dentist’s favorites…
Reese’s Sticks – It’s sad that these seem to be falling out of favor, as I’ve seen them less and less. Soon they won’t be at your regular old convenient store and you’ll have to go to the weird convenient store with the brown paper top shelf magazines. Anyway, they are just Reese’s versions of Nutty Buddies, with a notable layer of peanut butter… and given that 20% of my bodyfat is made of peanut butter, I’ll pick these over the highly inferior (but also delicious) Cups any day.
Sour Patch Kids – There was a time where I ate so many sour patch kids, my tongue felt like it stopped working for a day. Ever eat so many sour candies that you get a tongue pimple? Or you fray the sides of your cheek? Ever eat so many Sour Patch Kids you can’t eat them for a year because it reminds you of how sick you made yourself on them the last time, but still.. you kinda want to get the bag anyway? I would hope, by now in this list, you realize that I may have a bit of a candy problem.
Hi-Chews – Ok, I don’t know where these things came from. Apparently, they’ve only been around for a comparatively small amount of time – but they took the 80’s candy Bonkers, which were like Starbursts, but suuuper chewy, they mixed them with weird Japanese candies so you can have flavors like ‘Lychee’ and ‘Red Mango Pomegranate Tea’ and they just made them miserably delicious. Out of every candy on this list, this is the only one I will say no to, as you can taste the damn things ripping out your fillings… and you just don’t care.
Now, most of this list is not in order, but my number one favorite candy in the world is almost part of my identity at this point.. friends of mine will buy me a bag of these on my birthday or tell me if they tried a new one…
Trolli Peach Rings – I don’t know what it is. I’m super picky about Gummies, because I think most of them taste way too too sweet or they’ve used some amount of sucralose so they have that fake nasty taste… but the Trolli brand Peach rings, the ones that are half yellow and half peach, that are just a hint of sour, but melt immediately into sweet. Color me green and call me Kermit, these things have caused me nausea by how many I’ve eaten in years gone by. It’s a sickness. They’re masterpieces of deliciousness. When I see some other company has a peachring candy, oh, I’ll try it… but none can top these.
So, what are your favorite sexy candies? You know where to tell us
Podcasts… The Final Frontier..
It’s time for the first End of 2021, so we are going to the future to talk about one of the godfathers of modern sci-fi – Star Trek – and discussing its final episode. Will Kirk and the boys hold up the banner of Starfleet high and make us all feel comfortable with the future Roddenberry envisioned… or will they try and tell us women are amazing and gentle creatures prone to psychotic mood swings?
Find out on THE END: Star Trek..but you probably already have it figured out.
Ok, here we boldly go..
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Hey all, PCR here.
A great disturbance was felt through The Force recently when Microsoft announced they were buying Activision/Blizzard in an all cash deal. As a (former) long time World of Warcraft and Hearthstone player, I have a bit of a soft spot for Blizzard… I met many amazing friends, some of which have become “in person” amazing friends I’ve had for years… and, (as one of those friends said recently) “I don’t regret one minute of the time I played.. but I also don’t regret the day I walked away”.
I have far less history with Microsoft (gaming). I don’t have GamePass, and as far as consoles go, I had an OG XBox and a Series S (both of which I sold).
That said, this merger COULD be good for gaming, it could also be bad.
Here’s my thoughts…
Pros : With chip shortages still making consoles amazingly hard to find, this is going to get a LOT more games into a LOT more hands quicker.
: The offerings on GamePass are about to get a LOT more interesting and varied.
: Microsoft could do a lot to mitigate thoughts they’re becoming (more) of the “all-controlling, evil empire” by cleaning house at Activision and removing the personnel and other elements that plagued the company over the recent years
Cons : There’s ZERO guarantee Microsoft will clean house from problematic elements of Activision, which could/would be seen as rewarding that kind of behavior/environment as long as bottom line numbers are met.
: Could create a far bigger ‘Exclusively on…’ rift in the gaming industry.
: WIll Microsoft having that kind of control in the gaming industry stifle developers?
There’s a LOT that’s unknown, and I am far from having professional insight in the gaming community, but it will be interesting to see how this affects the overall landscape of gaming/cloud gaming.
What do YOU think?
We’re back with The Wheel – and where it stops, nobody knows… well, I mean.. we do, because we recorded it.. and you do because you can see the episode title. Look, work with me, ok?
Anyway, what do you think about artificial intelligence? What do you think about the idea that computers out there will one day take us over completely and we will be slaves to their machinations? Did Asimov have it right about making sure they can’t hurt us? Or is it all just a bunch of claptrap hooey for sci-fi writers and the 5g chip embedded in your mind?
Join us as we take a dive into a topic we honestly have very little right talking about, but that’s never stopped us before. It’s time for Mysteries of the Somethingverse: Artificial Intelligence
Ok, here we go – if the overlords allow us…
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Happy New Year everyone! It’s my first blog of the year, and given the entertainment I’ve absorbed the last couple of weeks, I thought I’d revisit the topic of nostalgia.
In the last week, I got a chance to see Ghostbusters: Afterlife as well as the most recent season of Cobra Kai and they are interestingly connected in that they both were born into the world in 1984 and here we are, over 35 years later, revisiting that well of ideas and pulling on the heartstrings of those that grew up on them. Yes, there have been tons of revisits to shows and movies over the years ranging from the campy (The Brady Bunch films) to the not good (Car 54, Where Are You) and a thousand of good and bad ideas in between.
Ghostbusters and Cobra have knocked out that formula we have gotten used to, but do so in two very different ways – both successful – but, I won’t lie.. I think one of them does it much better.
So here’s my reveal – I enjoyed Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and I sat there engaged with it in the way people my age were meant to. Giggling at the sly retelling of jokes, reminded of the scenes from the original that I loved, tearing up at seeing artifacts of the past… but tears aside, I don’t know if I will watch it again any time soon. Maybe it was simply because it only had 2 hours to fit so much in, but it felt like it didn’t have its own voice as much as it let the voice of the past dictate its journey. It had a list of things to check off, and each time it did it, it was fun, a giggle, a reminder, a wistful past-oriented sigh of memory, and we’re on to the next one on the list. It’s written well, but it feels like it would need another movie for me to even begin to understand who these characters actually are.
On the other side of things, we have Cobra Kai. To be fair, it gets a lot longer of a runtime to play its nostalgia card since it has finished up its 4th Season, but it does something so dramatically different that sets it aside in the realm of ‘member the 80s? ..we do‘ and that is that it takes your expectations and changes them. A villain is brought back from the past in Terry Silver, and it explores precisely why he was such a madman in Karate Kid 3. We get a moment that feels almost exactly like the ending of the 3rd film, and your emotions are built to recognize what’s coming… and then it doesn’t – in dramatic fashion. Every inch of retread ground it walks, it is because these characters have their own agency and they are retreading steps of the past, but not making the same decisions.
Ghostbusters relies on its source for its skeleton, Cobra Kai is building a new skeleton that just happens to look similar… if that makes sense. I loved both, but I really think one shows a much greater care towards the universe that came before it.
What did you think? You know where to tell us… @STSTCast and @RevVoice, and we’ll see you next week.
…we have to go back….
No, not that island, you masochists – we have to go back to a land where computers fill the air, because computers invented the air.. and your desk.. and your headphones.. and possibly those hundreds of guys in nice suits running at you. That’s right, we’re going back into the series that asked us ‘are we really here or are we actually in robot goo pods’ – THE MATRIX
Wire-fu, Bullet time, hot people in trenchcoats – The Matrix changed action movies forever, and made your friend with the wolf shirts look fashionable for a minute… does the new one hold up that high bar?
There’s only one way to find out – let’s go to the movies with Something In Review: Matrix Resurrections
Ok, here we …whoa…(i’m really proud of that one)
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Hey Somethings!
The holidays have come and gone, James and I are rested up, and it’s time to get back to it!
This week’s blog touches a bit on some of my most enjoyable things from the end of 2021!
For starters, I got a new job. Pay’s MUCH more than my previous job. Feels like it’s even less stressful so… bonus all around!
I also did a fair amount of gaming towards the end of the year. Forza Horizon 5 dropped and, while the launch was buggy, I still immensely enjoy the game and play it daily. The big ‘sleeper hit’ for me was Inscryption. Is it a deck building card/video game? Yes. Is it SOOO much more than that? Yeeesssssssssssssss. Can I say more without spoiling a lot of things for those who haven’t played? Nooooooo. What I CAN say, if you’ve listened to us, and you enjoy our style.. you get a good sense of the type of people we are and the things we enjoy. If THAT entertains you, check out Inscryption… you won’t be disappointed.
For Christmas I set myself up with HBO Max and started going through a BUNCH of stuff I never got to see in theaters. While “Matrix Resurrections” is the big one, I won’t discuss that here as we have an episode coming out about it in the very near future. Besides Matrix, I also powered through “Godzilla vs Kong”, “Mortal Kombat”, “The Suicide Squad” and “Suicide Squad”. All of them.. solidly “meh” to be honest, with the exception of “The Suicide Squad” (the most recent one). Cena’s deadpan delivery as Peacemaker and Dastmalchian’s Polka Dot Man definitely elevated it above “meh” into ‘enjoyable’.
For TV? End of 2021 brought us Hawkeye (which I loved, ranks 2nd tied with “WandaVision” for me in MCU D+ TV) and The Book of Boba Fett. At the time of writing this, only the first episode has dropped so far but damn was it good and I loved how they connected it in to the greater Star Wars story and history.
We’ve got a bunch of new episodes lined up and we’re back to blogs every Friday.. stick with us! 2022 is going to be great!
– PCR
DIDJA MISS US? We missed you – but most of all, we realized in our Retrocast journey how much we missed looking at some of the silliness that has gone out on the internet waves over the last year and wanted to talk about them.
Did you know if you click through these 45 pages, you can find the mysterious answer to a question after a thousand short and unnecessary sentences that don’t actually add to the whole of the story at all and are just a giant run on to get you to click to the end of the story?
Yeah, that’s a thing… but that’s not what we do – we are talking some of the biggest stories of Snopes for the last year, and the debunks you have to share with your Aunt who believes her Alexa Funtendo has cancelled her episodes of the Home Shopping Network she saved on her DVD Toaster to upload later.
Ready? Oh, we sure as hell are…. Ok, here we go, again!
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We did it! We got through December, and even as you read this, Rob and I are getting ready for 2022 episodes… so as we say good-bye to this year that was, overall, a year that occurred – let me just throw a couple of things out there.
1 – Thank you to each and every one of you that have joined us on our podcasting journey
2 – Thank you Rob for keeping me on track in all things Something.
Now, let’s get to my last retroepisode, which isn’t too Retro, but I couldn’t do a list of my favorite episodes without revisiting the little ball of hate that this episode brought to life. It is the Review of ‘Cecil Hotel’ a Netflix documentary that .. well.. it spawned some opinions. From March 9th, 2021 – The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, enjoy!
Our original post:
Do you dig murder? I mean… not like that… but do you find yourself mindlessly addicted to documentaries about the horrible things that horrible people do to people?
Yeah, look, we all do. That said, there is a new one on Netflix, but the results aren’t precisely what you think they are. The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel takes a police procedural documentary and turns it on its ear with the focus moving from the important facts of the case and sliding on over to an entirely different topic.
Is it good? Is it worth it? We have opinions…. oh boy, do we. And once you are done, be certain to check out Hatton’s article on Vocal.Media**
Okaaaay here we go!
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We are winding down our Retrocast Party, but we have this one and one more… and they are some doozies! First off, Rob has chosen an episode where we tried something a little different, stick around though, the second half of the episode reveals all. It is a favorite for everyone except for those that have never seen the curvature of the globe… it’s Flat Earth, from April 30th 2019.
Our original post:
In the last month or two a documentary came out talking about one of the strangest theories of the last couple decades.. is it a sign that perhaps we were wrong about the make up of our universe or is it the inevitable problem of what happens when everybody finds a friend on the internet?
Well, join Podcast Rob and Hatton on Episode 134as they deep dive into the documentary Behind The Curve, available on Netflix, which discusses the possibility that this planet we all know and love (planet here meaning a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star.)
Two other notes – first, the end song of today’s show is “Turtles All The Way Down” by New Jersey legends A Halo Called Fred. You can find the whole song right here. And their YouTube Channel right here! Thanks for the assist, you crazy kids!
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First – this is not, I repeat, not a RetroSomething… this is an all-new, all-special, all-Friday, all-Yuletide festive party. Since it’s Christmas Eve, we thought we would let you unwrap a gift first – and it is the gift of Something!
This year, we gathered with Rick & Sarah from Awesome Talk TV – we got Jeof Vita from Kung-fu Drive-In – and we got Becky & Matt from Pre-Rec Live all hanging out and talking about how the year 2021 has gone, the entertainment we ingest every holiday season, and how we, as a people, are all doomed…. You know, the sort of light stuff you can tinsel your tree with.
So please, settle in with some nog and your newly unwrapped certificate to the jelly-o-the-month club (it’s the gift that keeps on giving, Clark) and celebrate your festivus spirit with the rest of us for this Somethingcast Traditional Christmas Roundtable, 2021 Edition!
Ok, here we go Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen…
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Sometimes the holidays are about gathering those that you care about and sharing in the festive season of giving… sometimes it’s about getting a bunch of your idiot friends together and throwing potshots while your one weird Uncle won’t shut up about how his E-Meter has discovered a record number of Thetans…. you get to decide what happened to us back in 2016 with our ‘Inside Joke: Outside Voice’ podcast party.
Our original post:
♫ Oh you better watch out..
You better not cry…You better listen to this episodeOr not.. whatever, I’m not your HR Rep ♫
Joining us from the IJOV – we have Marcus from Deadpan Fury, we have Eric from Two-Legged Tie, and we have Tony from Nyrdcast – and we decide to have ourselves a little Christmas Party. What goes on from there is… well.. I would love to say it is an episode about our favorite Christmas memories and shows and movies, but it isn’t… it’s almost better. It’s a bunch of idiots getting together and spreading some holiday buffoonery.
So enjoy everyone – and from Rob & Hatton, have a happy holidays.
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We’re on our third Friday in December – and that means it is another RetroSomething!
This time we are jumping back to 2015.. a year from a land between studios, which is why the sound quality is so iffy. I do apologize for that.. but that said, we are delving into the television shows that we may not apologize for – but we totally don’t talk about. It’s Episode 45, Guilty Pleasure TV!
Our original post:
How many times have you found yourself, maybe late at night, flipping through channels and you end up on a show you would never really admit that you watched?
Now how many of those shows have you gone back for seconds on? Nobody in the SomethingStudio is going to judge that you know the price of everything down the meat aisle because you’ve watched Supermarket Sweep. We can’t mock you because you have invested a notable portion of your life to seeing every episode of Cleopatra 2525.
Why? Because we have lists just like that. So join us won’t you and discover a wonderful world of what the Somethings do when nobody’s looking… WE MEAN TV, WEIRDOS!
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Of course if we’re doing some of our favorite episodes – we couldn’t leave out the King of the Schmoes, Viewaskew’in, voice-acting, Ralph Garman! So please settle in as we spend an hour talking with Ralph about his career and try not to sound like gushing fanboys.
Our original post:
After our Anniversary.
After our 100th Episode.
How could we put icing on that cake?
Oh, we got ourselves a badass guest to hangout with for a little while. Who, you may ask? Why Ralph Garman, co-host of the Hollywood Babble-On with Kevin Smith, actor in a lot of stuff you’ve seen, as well as the host of one of our personal favorite shows, The Joe Schmo Show!
So settle in and enjoy the conversation, and do yourself a favor and follow @RalphGarman on Twitter and Instagram to continue following his adventures and all of the big life changes in store for him now that we’ve hijacked his brain. And be sure to look out for him on Seth MacFarlane’s new sci-fi show, The Orville.
Ok, here we go!
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It’s Friday – and you know what that means.. another RetroSomething, and this episode takes us back to talking about well… the people in this world that got the worst possible end, but damn is it funny. So join us as we revisit: The Snopes List!
We originally said:
Note:If you share this post, Mark Zuckerberg will bake you a turkey dinner.
Every day of every social media person’s life, you are hit with a thousand different pictures, memes, captions, and at least half of them are filled with bad information. Well, the Somethings are going to inform you of a little website called Snopes.Now, what this site does is… I know.. it’s crazy.. it debunks internet urban legends.
Every year they also do their best to tell you what the most popular b.s. was from the prior year. So we’re going down the list and talking a little bit of the internet urban legends of 2015. We go from Something to Serious to Seriously Creepy and back to Something.. this is a long strange journey. Buckle up!
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Did you listen last Friday? Well if you didn’t – you may be wondering what’s up? For December, the Somethings are taking their holiday, but to keep your brain hijacked, we are giving you two retro episodes a week as selected by the Somethings!
So join us as we picked our ‘Zombie Kill Team’
Our original post:
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
The Somethings decided that since it is the scaaaarrriest of holidays, we would go and give you a treat and not a trick this year, by releasing tomorrow’s episode for you today. That way you can enjoy our spooooooky conversation while you are out haunting around. So what is this episode about? Well – take your top four fictional characters that you want by your side during the zombie apocalypse. We take one from movies. One from television. One from book fiction. One wildcard. And then we decide who would survive. Now, you have to figure that James and Podcast Rob are both going to think their team is the strongest, so they got themselves a judge to solve who’s team is the best of the best. None other than friend of the show, horror afficienado, from the Supernatural Department at Head Over Feels, Dawn!
So we know you are going to disagree with us… which means you should start a discussion below! Ok, here we boo! (get it? ..because it’s… right.. you get it.. nevermind)
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Happy Holidays everyone!
To give the Somethings a breather, and to give you twice the listening pleasure, for the month of December you get to roll back the clock with us as we look back at some of our favorite episodes of yore.
This week, travel with us to 2015 as we talk – Bad Movie Movie Posters!
Here’s what we said back then….
There is a little bit of movies that we sometimes overlook. No, it isn’t that your date keeps trying the hole in the popcorn trick and that you are starting to get worried about her. It’s the poster. The first thing you sometimes see about a movie. The thing that is supposed to emblazen upon your mind that this movie will be here eventually.
Some are amazing. Some are horrible. Some things are repeated ovvver and ovvver… so join in with the Somethings as we talk about movie poster tropes and themes that we have just seen too much.
Ok, here we go.
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Oh my… wait… didn’t we say last week was the last episode? I mean, it was The End — but, there are 5 Tuesdays in November this year!? What do we do?
We do a Free-For-All, that’s what. If you’ve never been here when this happens, it is where we don’t set up a list or a show or a guest… we just hang out and talk, which, as this is the last official Something of the year, feels like it’s precisely what it should be.
So please, settle in and hang out with the Somethings for an hour, as we talk about the world we’re living in, the things we’re digging into, and what the plans are for the future.
Ok, here we go!
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Happy Holidays friends – as this is our last week of new material.. with one secret exception you will only know about if you are subscribed, I thought I should go back and look at some of my favorite things of the year. Living in a bubble, I absorb a lot of garbage. Television. Books. Games. Comics. Alcohol… it really is a cavalcade of ignoring the outside world in this brain of mine. So, why not take a few minutes and look at the last year and talk about some of the things I’ve really enjoyed.
Books – Sadly, this year was not a big reading year for me. I wish I’d gotten through more books and as I’m currently reading, albeit slowly, Grady Hendrix’s Final Girl Support Group (and if you’ve never read Hendrix, he’s a horror treat) I am at least doing my best to keep books in my life. So what was my favorite this year? That was a title that felt like it was from ten or twenty years ago with kids going to a magical school where magical things happen. It doesn’t hold a candle to my favorite of the genre (and top favorite books of all time) in Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, but Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education, which the sequel just released recently, was so much fun.
The school is deadly and alive. Magic attracts all sorts of beasties. The politicks of the students is in every conversation.. it is all very interestingly political, and where the main character could easily turn into an ‘all too powerful Mary Sue’ type – she’s so enjoyably grumpy, I kinda don’t mind.
Shows – The family finished the many seasons of our dinner time Parks & Rec – which was my second time around, and that show… dammit, I miss it. Maybe even more than I miss The Good Place.. but my favorite show of the year comes from an entirely different side of things. I know we had some amazong Mando action and WandaVision was a real front runner to be my favorite, just because of its amazing meta-ness — my favorite is going to Netflix’s Midnight Mass.
I know some people don’t enjoy the genre of gothic horror that Mike Flanagan has brought to the Netflix table with Hill House and Bly Manor – but I really enjoyed them. That said, Midnight Mass is going to be a hard show to top. Every actor is acting their ass off. Every little flinch or nod means something. It’s a masterclass in telling a tight story with a satisfying finish.
Games – My year of video games has been one of massive amounts of Executive Dysfunction. In my giant Steam game list.. I go and play a handful of garbage roguelikes and roguelites – decide to play something meaty – get distacted – forget what I was playing – go back to roguelites… so yeah, there’s a lot of time spent in fun popcorn like SNKRX, Curse of the Dead Gods, and SKUL.. there’s also an inordinate amount of time spent playing Dead By Daylight with Rob & friends. So what game can I put at the top?
First, an honorable mention has to go to Inscryption which, I won’t lie, will probably take the #1 spot by the time the ball drops for 2022… it is just fantastic in every way – and after Rob had played an hour of it, bought it for me because he knew I would fall in love with it.. and it really is a VERY particular James-sized-itch it scratches. That said, my top spot for the year is going to go to Enderall: Forgotten Stories – which, if you haven’t seen.. is free, and worth it. It’s a complete repaint of Skyrim. A new world. New voices. New quests. New magic. Harder, but not brutal… it made me fall in love with Skyrim again, and it’s kinda not even Skyrim.
Movies – I feel like this is ‘the big one’ but, honestly, this wasn’t as much of a year for big movies as it was big television. I could do a list of just my favorite shows and list them off easily… when it comes to movies, I have watched so many ‘webcam party’ horror movies and nose-stuffed-up-their-butt art-horror this year that I really am frustrated with most of the genre. I also, as if there is any surprise, watch a lot of garbage movies with the full knowledge that they’re going to be bad… but dammit I love seeing actors clip through green screen monsters.
So, what was the best of the best? Based on my ratings at Letterboxd, there are only three movies I gave above a 4.. and only one got a 5. The three movies that sit in the 4-star area are Malignant, which I know is a divisive opinion, but James Wan speaks my horror language – Coherence, which.. honestly, is the most interesting budget science fiction movie I’ve seen in years – and Spontaneous, which has flown under everyone’s radar and I legitimately think it could be this generation’s Heathers.
That leaves my one 5 star… the one movie I saw that made me tear up with how beautiful and beautiful sounding it was. It’s a cliche from a living cartoon like me, but it is Pixar’s Soul. I don’t speak in Jazz. I have an ear for music, but I don’t have an ear for any genre of music that includes ‘single-serving noodling’ … but Soul .. man, it was just synesthesia come to life.
So what were your favorite things? You know where to find us and let us know – and if we don’t talk, we hope that you and yours have a wonderful rest of 2021 and thank you for being here and letting us hijack your brain.
♫ Baby – have you ever wondered? Wondered whatever became of me?
I’m working on my podcast in NJ – ♫ and the rest of it really takes some effort to fit the rhyme scheme.
… ♫ something something c-a-s-teeeeee…. ♫ (It’s not that hard – PCR)
It’s Thanksgiving time, and there aren’t a lot of famous Thanksgiving shows, but one comes to mind. To that, we decided to take that show, watch its last episode and see if it sticks the test of time as well as the infamous Turkey Drop. So do the gang at WKRP end their run with a cheer or a whimper? Well, this is where you find out, on THE END: WKRP.
And from us to you – from our family to yours – we hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Ok, here we radio!
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I know it’s supposed to be Hatton’s week but…
….I GOT THINGS TO SAY!
SO… I just finished watching Season 8 of “The Blacklist” on Netflix, and was shocked at the ending.
SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET!
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I HATE that we were led along for 8 years of this show to finally see the payoff of Keen finding out who Reddington is (and who he is to her) and this is what happens. Sure the ‘plan’ was to kill Reddington (which I never believed was going to happen) but I didn’t think we’d end up seeing Keen get killed. I understand actress Megan Boone was off to do other things… but damn if this doesn’t feel like a punch in the dick.
Having been a fan of LOST, I suppose one should never let their guard down on things like this… but I honestly feel, as much as I love Spader’s portrayal, that the show has probably gone on for too long (and is still going…)
With that in mind… here as some shows that are still trucking along that I feel have overstayed their welcome.
The Walking Dead – I honestly couldn’t care any less about anyone left on this show. I keep watching because I’m pot committed and want to just finish it out. I know it only has one season left, but 11 seasons was probably 3 or 4 too many.
The Blacklist – See the above rant. The last few seasons felt like the show was getting cramps trying to tie itself into knots of double-crossing and betrayal which felt effortless in the first few seasons. I will say, I will completely miss Amir Arison as Agent Mojtabai…he’s been chewing up every scene he’s been in lately.
Pawn Stars – Ok, look.. it was fun and interesting in the beginning when it was about the ‘stuff’, but now the show is different. It’s “Kardashians at the pawn shop” kind of vibe now that everyone knows is amazingly fake and staged and should have been left on the shelf years ago.
Great British Bake-Off – Yep, I’ll catch flack for this, but I gave up on this show 3/4 of the way last season. Too many things are a “thing” now… (the “Hollywood Handshake” being one of my biggest ‘ugh’ things). Also, my pet peeve on long-running reality shows of this type. Sure, the first season was “the 12 best amateur bakers in the country”… what’s the tag line now? “12 of the top 145 best amateur bakers…”. Sure the specials are kinda quaint, but this show hasn’t been the same since Mary, Sue and Mel left.. and it never will be again.
Hit us up on the Twitter @STSTCast and let us know what shows YOU think have been around too long!
– PCR
♫ Country roads…
Take me home…
OH MY GOD THERE’S A BEEFCAKE MOTH IN THE ROAD! ♫
That’s right – we are heading back into the Somethingverse and taking another of our countries favorite cryptids to task. We turn our globe, or at least Google Earth.. who owns a globe these days? Anyway, we are going to West Virginia, mountain mama – and we are talking about The Tick’s best buddy, Mothman! From his interesting beginnings in the middle of the 1900’s to his home as a tourist attraction – this cryptid is living the good life….. OR IS HE!?
Find out now, as we put on our mystery snorkle and head into… THE SOMETHINGVERSE: MOTHMAN
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Hey Somethings! PCR here.
This week’s blog, I’m taking a slight detour.
As has been our pattern, we’re taking December off from recording and releasing new episodes due to the holidays. Now, fear not, we have some things in store… but I wanted to look to the future, and to get our listener’s thoughts on things.
We’re pretty happy with the shows and the formats that we have, we feel it gives us a chance to stretch our legs at times while still giving you all something we’re proud of and we feel is in our wheelhouse.
All that said, are there things you’d like to hear us talk about? Topics, ideas, show styles…
As much as Hatton and I enjoy listening to the sound of our own voices, we want YOU to enjoy listening to the sound of our voices even more.
Let us know over at somethingsomethingcast@gmail.com, over on Twitter @STSTCast, or join our Facebook at facebook.com/SomethingSomethingCast.
While your at it, heading over to iTunes and leaving us a review would be an amazing thing to do for us!
– PCR
Apparently, a group of people joining into a bunch of kids games for the chance to win a few million bucks is enough to get everyone on Netflix in a tizzy… well, if they can, so can we!
The Somethings are taking this week to review the biggest release in Netflix history, the top Halloween costumes, and an interestnig story about what someone will do to survive when faced with an entire army of cephalopods. Fine, that’s not what happens, but for a show named Squid Game, you would think there would be more squid…. but no… yet again, I’m the bad guy.
Either way – let’s get to our Something In Review: Squid Game
Ok, here we go!
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Hey Somethings, I actually had to go back and look through some of my old blog posts to see if I’ve talked about this, and I was surprised to find out that I hadn’t! If the ending of a horror movie ends with the director saying things like, ‘Well, what do YOU think it means?’ like they are your therapist, you may have just watched an arthouse horror movie.
“But Hatton,” you ask, “what IS an elevated/arthouse horror movie?”
Well, it’s a movie that is trying to hide a deeper message beneath its horror. This isn’t new, as films like Jacob’s Ladder (1990), Dawn of the Dead (1978), and even Godzilla (1954) were talking about one thing under the guise of scares. Nowadays though, it is a twofold defense mechanism for:
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Movies that have a deeper message
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Movies that want you to think they have a deeper message
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People who don’t want to admit they like horror movies
Movies like Get Out, with its obvious racial overtones use the vehicle of horror to really turn a topic on its head and make you uncomfortable in your own world. Mother is a story of Christian mythology. Babadook is about abuse. These movies tell an engrossing tale of scares while also at the end give you something to think about. Bad arthouse horror, on the other hand, gives you attempts at symbolism that are never explained and plotholes that you hope are intentional until you get to the credits and you end up confused. The truth is, a good percentage of horror movies out there have some other meaning, intentional or not, and brushing aside any movie because its message isn’t deeply imbedded enough is, at the very least, insulting to the people involved. To sit and look at a movie like Hereditary (2018) or Neon Demon (2016) and comment about how the deeper message is beneath the surface and the horror is what you feel and.. well, I could go on, is to ignore that horror has been telling interesting stories about the human condition since the first vampires were born of fears of porphyria and rabies.
In the future, at the end of a movie, you sit there scratching your head while your one friend who only vapes artisanal clove oil and refers to your fruit salad as a ‘reconstructed charcuterie’ tells you how deep the film you just watched is. It’s ok to hate the movie.. it’s ok to think it was stupid.. it’s ok to want a clear answer to your narrative tales.. and it’s ok to kick that dude out, because seriously, you don’t need that kind of negativity.
Back in the day, those 30 second Tiktok clips used to come in longer formats – 3 – 5 minutes at a clip… we called them songs. A musician would then take 10 or so of them and make an entire album of them! Crazy times.
To add to that, those albums used to have art and liner notes and production information and lyrics… and this was literally every song ever. You can still see the remnants of these forgotten artifacts when you load one of those tracks on iTunes and see the square of prety colors. Imagine that, on a shelf.. like you are some sort of art collector! Amazing, really.
Well, the Somethings remember that time well and we settle in to talk about not the music – not the artist – but our favorite album covers.
Ready? Ok, here we go!
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Hey Somethings… PCR here.
I know a while ago I gave you my thoughts on AHS : Double Feature and.. at the time, it was rather rosy and hopeful…
Oh how the mighty have fallen.
I have no idea who pitched Season 10, or who OK’d it, but whoever pitched it needs a raise, and whoever OK’d it needs to be fired. If you can pitch something that turned out like Season 10 did, and can get people to buy into it.. you need to be doing/selling/pitching bigger things than a season of a TV series that.. at this point.. may have gone on too long.
Don’t get me wrong, Red Tide had a lot that I liked (as noted in my previous blog) but they way it was ended was waaaaayy too rushed. A majority of AHS seasons have been 10 or more episodes, and I think Red Tide could have been a much better story had they given it a full 10. I know that cancels the whole ‘Double Feature’ vibe they were going for…but when it was done as shitty as this was, things need to be rethought.
That being said, I was really digging the thought and concept of Death Valley…until I found out it was only 4 episodes.
In my opinion, AHS needs to take a long, hard look at itself in the mirror and figure out what worked and what didn’t over the 10 seasons it’s been on. My biggest fear is that “American Horror StorieS” have given them the idea that they can tell short, non-connected stories that are just as entertaining as their full seasons…and it’s my belief that that kind of thinking is what got us Double Feature.
I can’t even call Double Feature my least favorite season because, to be honest, it didn’t feel like an actual season.
Whatever you call it, and whatever you thought of it…this is one “Double Feature” I wish I had walked out of.
Do you enjoy the Evil Dead series? Or are you a goody two shoes? goody two shoes goody goody two shoes
You don’t like that? ………..screw
Ok, I swear, I’m not just being pithy – it’s just hard to not get an edge of snark in your voice when you are talking about Bruce Campbell in his most famous role of none other than the chainsaw wielding, S-Mart selling, boomstick threatening, words sayin, Ash!
Did his three seasons of horror comedy knock those Deadites down or was that just pillow talk, baby?
Find out on this, the last of our SpoooOooktacular October episodes on, The End: Ash vs. Evil Dead
Ok here we……… groovy!
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Before I get into this week’s topic – let me just say that this post includes some spoilers for Halloween Kills. If you haven’t seen it and you don’t want to have some of it spoiled for you – I suggest you skip this one.
Are they gone?
Ok, good. We didn’t want them here anyway.
I didn’t want to review Halloween Kills as much as I wanted to talk about what it did right and wrong. You see, the 2018 relaunch/new timeline/thing was, quite literally, the best Halloween movie I have ever seen. Of course it is hard to compare it to the 70’s original, but that movie defined the tropes of the ‘unkillable monster kills kids’ genre, but with that said, it did what no other Halloween movie had done other than the original… it engaged me.
Now, I love slasher flicks, obviously – but the reason you just don’t see that many is because the genre is stale with a rare exception (See: Terrifier, The Strangers) and there doesn’t feel like much more you can staple on to the old classics of Jason and Michael. But Halloween turns itself around. It isn’t a movie about a monster hunting a woman – it is about a woman who is prepared to kill the monster. It’s Laurie Strode’s movie. She isn’t the final girl – she is the protagonist.
Halloween Kills, as the middle chapter of the preordained trilogy, had hard shoes to fill. How do you keep the two away from each other so you can get to the actual really real final showdown, but also continue to try and turn the genre on its head?
You show what the PTSD of this monster caused to the town, the collective character of Haddonfield. With literal pitchforks in hand, this is a story of a hundred people who think they are just like Laurie Strode. They feel guilt about surviving, fear over Myers’ inevitable return, pain at what they’ve lost… and collectively they try and face Michael — and inevitably, they fail. It really is a brilliant concept, and I bet a few passes around with great writers could have evolved it into a movie just as strong as 2018’s was, but it can’t help but lean into its tropes, bury itself like a hatchet into the skulls of its viewer, and misses every mark along the way.
Somehow, the first film subverts its tropes and has ascended to easily the greatest slasher film of the last decade – and yet, even with a brilliant take on a sequel, the most recent film can’t help but feel like it has taken a step right back into what made people bored with the slasher genre to begin with.
I hope the final act continues the trend of giving us a different story than the one we expect. We’ve seen slashers die before, hell, we’ve seen Michael Myers die a couple of times.. the key is to make us still surprised by the idea.
-Hatton
Sure, Raimi did shakycam first… but did he give an actor a camera and tell them to just act like a dickweed for a few days and then scare the bajeezus out of him? No, that is Blair Witch territory – a movie franchise you either love or hate.
Maybe you love it because you fell for the gimmick of a movie that might have been real. Maybe you loathe the handicam films that it spawned. Perhaps, you love the whole mythos of the Burkittsville, MD creepy cryptid and need to know everything…
No matter what your stance is, they did a movie in 2016 that you didn’t see – and we’re going to review it. Is it as original as the first one? Does it answer the questions we threw into the damned river? Does it blow snotbubbles and apologize? Find out on Something In Review!
Ok, here we go.. standing in the corner…
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Hey Somethings, PCR here.
So, I’ll admit, at the time of this writing, I have not yet finished Season 10 of The Walking Dead. I don’t have cable, so everything I watch is through streaming, and I finally got around to starting S10 about a week ago.
Mind you, I’m not watching because I’m excited about it.. I’m watching it because, in poker terms, “I’m pot committed”. While the show certainly feels different with Rick gone, I feel the show has been pretty boring since Terminus. Sure Negan breathed some life (no ironic pun intended) into the show in Seasons 7 and 8, but for the most part, The show has been a wash/rinse/repeat cycle of
“They don’t trust us!”
“Well, we have to behave to make them trust us”
“Hey, they trust us, we can stay here!”
“Oh shit, we did something stupid and ruined it all, now we have to leave!”
“Hey… we found someplace!”
“…they don’t trust us…”
“…well, we have to make them trust us…”
I was never a huge Daryl fan. King Ezikiel grew on me, and I like Carol. Gary is a great character. Gabriel has been interesting through the second half of S10, and Eugene has grown into his own man. I will say, I LOVE Princess so far.. she brings a whole new “uhhh..wtf?” but, it feels like a crumb in a sea of blandness. Even the Whisperers got lame this season. Out of 20 episodes (out of 22 for the season) I’ve seen so far, there has been exactly 1 scene that made me sit up and go “No shit…” and two lines I enjoyed. Oddly, all of them involved Negan. The reveal of who Negan drops the head in the bag to caught me off guard for sure. When the Whisperers were about to attack… uhh.. Hilltop? Alexandria? (I can’t tell them apart, and couldn’t honestly care less to) and Negan says “it’s time for folks to put on their shittin’ pants”.. well, I’ve started using that in unsavory situations. His exchange with Daryl when Beta’s identity is revealed of “Holy shit, you know who that was?” “Yeah, nobody” made me literally laugh out loud…but the bright spots have been few and far between.
Daryl’s missing 5 years? Don’t care. Leah? Nice to look at, but don’t need her story. Maggie coming back? Feels like a bone thrown to fans to have SOMEone ‘come back’ after her and then Rick left.
I don’t know what the last 2 episodes of Season 10 hold, and I don’t have much faith that the series will wrap itself up in a way that even a majority of fans will like at the end of Season 11… but I’ll watch when it comes out… just so I can say I finished it.
Who out there can say they are a documentarian, comic book writer, and vampire hip-hop mogul?
Only one guy we know, and if you are a fan of Vampire: The Masquerade or Geek & Sundry, you know him too – it’s B. Dave Walters!
With LA By Night finishing up with its fifth season, and this, the Something Spooktacular month, there is no better time to join in to see who lives, dies.. or dies again, rather..
We talk Vampire, his work on the Dungeons & Dragons comic ‘A Darkened Wish‘, his documentary ‘Dear America, from a Black Guy‘ and his upcoming work ‘ElectroPunk‘ – and if you want to keep track of everything B. Dave Walters does, the best place to find him is on Twitter: @bdavewalters
So grab some 10-sided die and spend some blood points, ok, here we go!
Full Episode
I’m so proud of the world… it finally discovered one of my favorite sub-niche’s of entertainment: Games of Death
Everyone has gone crazy recently, the meme machine is pumping out hits, for Netflix’s newest gift from across the ocean, Squid Game.
Now, this premise may have some similarities to other things you’ve seen: A group of people are in a game that when they lose.. they die. Of course the similarities are there to be drawn to a dozen other things: Battle Royale, Hunger Games, Roller Games, Running Man, Gladiator, Alice in Bordertown, Saw… it’s a pretty lengthy list of weird movies that I have an affinity for.
In the month since it’s come out, it has already done the life and death of an internet trend. Some people notice it. Some people meme it. Some people declare it is the best thing that has ever been created and that nothing has ever been as unique. Some people hate those people. Some people get sick of it being mentioned and promptly hate it without ever having seen it. And they are the usual round of reactions.
Is it good, yes, but that’s not what I wanted to talk about here. It’s about how cool I am. You see, it’s a weird thing when something you’ve loved since you were a kid hits the zeitgeist. I get why the hipster mindset of ‘I was there before it was cool’ comes out because it feels like something special that you’ve owned for so long and now it isn’t part of your personal entertainment genetic code. There is this gut reaction of, ‘Yes, I know you like Squid Game, but have you ever seen…’ that makes you sound like a complete tool. I mean, they like Squid Game, sure, but don’t they understand that the trope of the character that can’t be good at the game or the bully are simply common features of the genre? Geez people, come on!
If you look inside yourself, you know you’ve done the same thing. Maybe it was when everybody started loving comic book movies and you stared at your longbox full of X-Force #1 and wrote a lengthy angry Livejournal post? Or when everyone got into Sharknado and you, the foremost authority on horrible ‘animals in disaster’ movies felt horrible when nobody called you for an interview.
Here’s the thing you need to hear though: don’t be that person. It’s great to discuss the origins of a genre or note all of these other movies that people who enjoyed Squid Game may have liked, but guess what… you don’t own a niche or a sub-genre. Yes, it’s frustrating that more people are ignorant to the nuance of people being flayed alive by board games, but you get to be the ambassador. Tell them how fantastic Tag is or find interesting comparisons to make about the characters. Use your obsession for the power of good.. and be happy the popularity of Squid Game means you may get a lot more games of death to watch in the future.
It’s spoOooOoOokytime!
So how better than to bring in the Autumnal Season of Horror than with two of our favorite people out in the internet’o’verse?
This week, the Somethings are talking about a very particular topic. Some horror movies are good.. some horror movies are bad.. but, what SECOND horror movies are worth giving a shot? Of course anyone can talk about Texas Chainsaw X: Leatherspace or Leprechaun: Bring It On, but when you are only limited to the sophmore outing of your horror series, what’s out there that triumphs?
Joining us are none other than the Silver Screams (@Silver_Screams) – Megan Salinas (@themenguin) and Katie Cullen (@kiaxet) – two internet savvy fear fatales that you can find anywhere fans are talking about the things they love.
So get yourself some Pun’kin Spice, and ok, here we BOO!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
Now.. fair warning, if you haven’t caught up with the 1st half of AHS S10, you may want to pass this by…….
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ok! So far, Season 10 is an interesting and enjoyable season. Red Tide is 6 episodes, and the first half of Season 10, with Death Valley being the last 6 episodes. I haven’t watched Ep 7 at the time of this writing, but the guess is the two seasons will somehow converge and overlap in some way. I really liked seeing Finn Wittrock in a lead role. The whole vibe was really well done in my opinion..the stormy greys, the lack of any real vibrant color.. really got the whole ‘winter in a Massachusetts coastal town’ feel down. Macauley Culkin was the real scene stealer for me, as Mickey was the only one I felt sorry for at how his story wrapped up. That said, I wasn’t crazy about Ursula, and.. to be fair, I don’t believe I’ve enjoyed any character Leslie Grossman has played in AHS. While other actors seem to play a multitude of styles and personality types, Grossman always seems to end up playing the ‘Meh-person-turned-bitch that I could care less about’. The final episode of the first half was a case and point as it really revolved around her. For me, Episode 6 was a let down that moved way too fast through the narrative to wrap up the first half of Double Feature and set up the second. Where the first 5 episodes were a slow-burn pace, episode 6 felt like a roller coaster ride built by someone who’s never built a roller coaster but has seen one once.
All in all, I’m mildly optimistic for Death Valley and to see how it ties in to not only Red Tide, but previous seasons as well.
If there is one thing that the Somethings don’t do.. it’s pitying fools. We don’t pity the fools, and we have, and will always have a ‘no fool pitying’ rule.
That said, we have somehow stumbled into this pit of fools, specifically the finale of the classic action adventure show, The A-Team.
So settle in as we look back to the finale of this beloved cult classic and ask whether it was worth the journey to get to this moment? From helicopters to Italian food names. From anchovies to exploding cars – did the A-Team go out with a bang, or more of a disgruntled Mr. T grunt.
There’s only one way to find out… join us for THE END: A-TEAM
Ok, here we go!
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Can we discuss Wonka?
Those that know me know that there are a handful of movies that are ‘my thing’ – movies that, back in the day of VHS tapes and stegosaurii, my copies wore through. The original Wonka, Gene Wilder, 70’s perm and all, is probably the first film I can even think of that I wouldn’t stop watching as a kid. Since then, I’ve learned I wasn’t the only one and Wonka fits similarly into many people my age because of our exposure to it at the dawn of cable and the tape.
We are now getting not one, but two Wonka related movies and I am filled with the fury of a middle aged white man on the internet. So lets take a look at the rumors as to what we’re getting in the Wonderful World of Wonka and gauge how angry I’m going to be… to be clear, Depp Wonka gets me a 9 out of 10 on the Hate’Ometer, saved from a 10 solely by the CGI squirrels.
The first is a ‘young Wonka’ story, as portrayed by acting Wunderkind Timothee Chamalet (to be clear, I have no idea if he’s a wunderkind (or how to spell that)) I just know that he’s in a lot of places, and I don’t know anything about him. That said, this is rumored to be the first in a ‘Wonka Cinematic Universe’ which is a phrase that makes me wince so hard I felt my neck pop. The only saving grace to this entire concept is that the writer connected to it is Simon Farnaby who has done some notable work (including Rogue One, The Mighty Boosh) — but as the Depp Wonka taught us, sometimes, telling us too much ruins everything.
The second one is an animated series being created by Netflix and helmed by Taika Waititi of What We Do In Shadows and Ragnarok fame. This, mind you, I have less of a problem with as I have always wondered why there wasn’t a traditional Saturday Morning Cartoon about Wonka. There were cartoons for Back to the Future, Pac-Man, Robocop.. all that came well after the property had seen its golden days, so why not Wonka? A cartoon also feels quite less important in the scheme of the universe and a lot more ability to be playful without living in a green screen.
In the defense of both of these concepts, I do appreciate that they are being done by not-Americans. Waititi from New Zealand and Farnaby from England, Dahl’s humor and sensibility was most certainly not an American one and we’ve already proven we don’t deserve the rights to write a Wonka film… in the end, a cartoon gets only mild grunt from me, but a Cinematic Universe? Please don’t. Oh dot, please oh please do not. No good can come of it and what other books are you going to tie that into?! Maybe a discussion for another blog.
Unless, mind you, these Wonka properties help bring back Wonka candy bars… the ones that had the graham crackers in the blend… then you’ll get a pass as I sit on my couch with a mouth smeared in chocolate that a Gloop would be proud of.
thunder… Thunder… THUNDERCATS…
If, like me, your brain is now screaming ‘Hoooo!’ – you were likely of an era of a particular vintage of cartoons. WYou are left with questions … is Cheetara naked? Do Thundercats mate with their relatives or do they just ignore that cat thing?
And most important question of all…. If there was a Thundercats Movie, who should star in it?
So, this week on THE WHEEL, we are going to throw out our own ideas as to what the perfect Thundercats movie is – and we are not doing it alone. Joining us once again are the greatest Kevins in all the land – Kevin Gootee & Kevin Israel – also known as Gutting The Sacred Cow, a brilliant podcast where you can hear some of your favorite things torn to shreds. We would like to thank them for taking this trip to Thundera with us and giving us insight beyond insight.
Ready? Well, ok here we snarf snarf….
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Hey all, PCR here!
So, I just watched the finale of LEGO Masters Season 2 last night and…I have thoughts.
First, let’s go over the teams…
Caleb and Jacob – Even though they had been in the bottom two more than any other team in the finale, they made their move towards the end, winning Episodes 9 (Land and Sea with their “Chameleobster”) and 11 (Cliffhanger) which gave them some great momentum going in to the final.
Mark & Steven – They held The Golden Brick the longest, and had the most wins going in to the final episode, and though they were only at risk of elimination twice, once was the episode right before the finale, which put them on shaky ground.
Zack and Wayne – They were only ever at risk of elimination once in Episode 10 (Flip My Block) and had more 2nd place finishes than any other team the entire season.
So, we’re in the finale, and the teams are tasked with doing a “Day/Night” build. Caleb and Jacob opt for an hourglass design with a ‘Day City’ on the bottom and a ‘Night Realm’ in the top of the hourglass. It was bold in design and impressive in construction considering the two halves were built separately and then the top literally flipped upside down to join with the base. Considering the middle didn’t actually connect and it was only the 4 outer pillars supporting the weight, it was amazing to me that the thing stayed together.
Mark and Steven opted for a “Warden of the Woods” character. The “Day/Night” shift was accomplished with a number of lights throughout the model, and while the water base they created was very impressive at “night”, the figure overall honestly wasn’t that impressive to me due to the complete brown build with little variations of color except the leaves for the hair and the glowing eyes.
Zack and Wayne went back to the well once more (which they did often this season) and incorporated dragons into their tower build. It was tall, and each floor of the tower was personalized to their story, but the “Night” shift felt like it was just lights inside each floor that made them brighter.
Overall, I was expecting something different when the Brickmasters said they wanted a build that had a different feel and look in each Day and Night segment. To my dismay, Caleb and Jacob came in third, leaving Zack and Wayne and Mark and Steven to fight for the top two and… to be fair… both builds left me nonplussed. Mark and Steven as a team just felt too… cocky? Too… entitled? I don’t know… just something about their demeanor and how they came off most of the season made me not a fan, and while Zack and Wayne had many of those same qualities, it was their constant use of things we had seen them do before that left me unimpressed with a lot of their builds.
For me, the REAL winners this season were Natalie and Michelle, and Dave and Richard. Both teams had that creativity factor in a lot of their builds that felt others were lacking. They thought outside the box (and the brick) to do builds that were always on theme, but always original.
I won’t spoil who the winner was.
Did the best team win? Probably. Did the most creative team win? Certainly not in my opinion.
Season 2, while I was happy to see it come back, didn’t live up to Season 1 (the highest rated episode of S2 was barely over half of the lowest rated episode of S1), and it will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes to fruition for a Season 3.
It’s time to head down to Vegas, get 10 of your best men, knock off three of Terry Benedict’s cas— no wait, that’s not right.
We’re going on a Vegas Vacation, and I have a briefcase full of reds, blues, moscat– no, still not right.
Oh, wait – it’s a zombie apocalypse and sin city is about to be nuked, so let’s get the most divisive movie maker in Hollywood right now and have him tell the story of people getting in and out before the big boom booms.
We’re not going on this journey of the dead alone – we’re bringing Dan from Netflix & Swill (Twitter:@netflixnswill) along with us. So sattle up, roll some 7’s, and let luck be a BRAAAAAAINNZZZ tonight.
Ok, here we go!
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Somethings! It’s Hatton!
Since PCR went and ranked his American Horror Story seasons, I thought – especially since our tastes differ pretty severely on a couple ones – that I’d hit it up too. If I really was going to dive in deep here, I’d break them down by half seasons, because it always feels like AHS gives you two stories and notoriously I like one side of it better than the other.
That said, let’s get into it…
9 – 1984
I thought 1984 was a disappointment. It leaned on the ‘Ghost’ rules of AHS heavily, and the latter half felt completely unbalanced to the first half. I really had wanted this to be a brilliant take on horror slashers and 80s teen horror, and it just fell into its own AHS branded melodrama.
8 – Asylum
PCR and I agree about the weakness of Asylum… with the exception of Lily Rabe as Sister Eunice, it felt like this season just didn’t have a cohesive story to tell, but a handful of separate stories that just didn’t land for me. The twists of aliens and the like just didn’t match the tone of the rest of the show.
7 – Apocalypse
I will admit, this one sits in the middle for me because it is the one season I’ve promised I’ll go back and rewatch sometime in the not far future. I would watch AHS while I was doing other things and I missed a lot of this one. I like bunkers. I like apocalypses. I remember there being one thing about this season I really disliked, but I couldn’t tell you now what it was.
6 – Coven
I know not worshipping Coven as a season is sacrilegious for some fans of AHS. I enjoy it, and it does feature one of my favorite subplots in all of AHS in the Axe Man. Coven, to me, feels like a season where AHS discovered what it could be and how it can tell different stories. Not a bad season, and important to AHS lore, but similar to my next entry – it felt like a well they kept coming back to.
5 – Murder House
I love a good sexy latex gimp. Who doesn’t, right? Murder House was an intensely new way to see a serial story and you didn’t know if you were watching a one season journey or if this was chapter one to a much bigger tale. The insert of the Black Dahlia felt very disconnected, but it set the rules we got to know so many times.. even though I think that at times it has been a crutch for AHS to lean on.
4 – Cult
PCR made a point that Cult was uncomfortable. I agree wholly, and it was that uncomfortability that had me glued to what was going on. I’ve seen so many documentaries about cults and group conspiracies and Jim Jones, NXIVM, etc that this was as much a curiosity as to how far they would take it as much as finding the real stories they pulled from to get there. Plus, Billy Lourd was a VIP in brilliance in her AHS debut.
3 – Freak Show
This was the first season I loved. Immensely loved. The addition of Neal Patrick Harris as huckster Chester Creb, Jessica Lange’s black and white over-produced musical numbers, and Dandy. I would have watched a Dandy season – he was brilliant in all of the most horrible of ways.
2 – Roanoke
OK OK OK … Hear me out. I can hear the pitchforks already. I have learned there are people that like what they did with Roanoke… and people that don’t. A documentary style show where the reenactors then go and get sucked into the plot of the story itself. it is AHS at its most meta and I was all about it.
1 – Hotel
I find Hotel to be -the- perfect story for Horror Story. It brings back something that hadn’t been around since the first and second season, which is this intangible sexiness. The location was this gorgeous gaudy affair that was a character unto itself. Every person feels like a fully lived in character. It doesn’t hurt that Evan Peters’ character was this amazing mix of an out of touch HH Holmes and Howard Hughes. Gaga was just amazing icing on an already packed cake.
Which ones were your favorite? Tell us where you tell us stuff!
NOTE – Thank you to all of you that reached out due to our first post for this file had a sound error. This one should be better.
Well, it’s been a big rasslin week around the watering hole, which is perfect timing for us, because the Somethings are going back to the ring.. that’s right, we’re All Elite… we’re World Wide… we’re UWA Elite (where you can hear Hatton call the action!) We’re Total Nonstop. We’re… Ring Honoring and we’re Shimmering our way through a DOUBLE WIDE episode of the SomethingSomethingcast.
Joining us to discuss our favorite and least favorite finishing holds is friend of the show, host of the One Piece show the Yayo Talkshow – as well as a contributor to wrestling and nerddom all across the internet, you may have seen him most recently as the reporter in Buddy Matthews mysterious videos after leaving WWE – it’s Mark B Donica! (Twitter, Insta, Twitch)
The Pedigree of this episode has an X-Factor that is simply going to Stun you to Rock Bottom…… Spinarooni
Ok, here we gooOOH MY GOD HE’S BROKEN IN HALF!
Full Episode
NOTE – Thank you to all of you that reached out due to our first post for this file had a sound error. This one should be better.
Well, it’s been a big rasslin week around the watering hole, which is perfect timing for us, because the Somethings are going back to the ring.. that’s right, we’re All Elite… we’re World Wide… we’re UWA Elite (where you can hear Hatton call the action!) We’re Total Nonstop. We’re… Ring Honoring and we’re Shimmering our way through a DOUBLE WIDE episode of the SomethingSomethingcast.
Joining us to discuss our favorite and least favorite finishing holds is friend of the show, host of the One Piece show the Yayo Talkshow – as well as a contributor to wrestling and nerddom all across the internet, you may have seen him most recently as the reporter in Buddy Matthews mysterious videos after leaving WWE – it’s Mark B Donica! (Twitter, Insta, Twitch)
The Pedigree of this episode has an X-Factor that is simply going to Stun you to Rock Bottom…… Spinarooni
Ok, here we gooOOH MY GOD HE’S BROKEN IN HALF!
Full Episode
Hey Somethings, PCR here!
So, in our Free For All episode (which you can listen to here…) we touched on ‘American Horror Stories’ and, tangentially, AHS in general. Long time listeners of the show know both Hatton and I have varied opinions of the AHS seasons… but here, for the first time, I’m giving you my rankings of them…
9 – Roanoke – I know they tried something a bit different this season with the ‘real vs re-enactment’ and the second half feeling like a different story until it wasn’t… but the whole thing fell super flat for me. When I first saw the title, I wanted a season ABOUT Roanoke not.. this convoluted mess that we got.
8 – Asylum – I know I’m stepping on toes here, there are a BUNCH of people who like Asylum. There were PARTS I liked, not not nearly enough to override the fact that I feel like I got scammed in a story that was teased and never shown.
7 – Cult – Cult was… uncomfortable. I know AHS stories aren’t supposed to be all ‘light and fuzzy’, but “Cult” for me felt ‘too soon’ with what was going on in the world at the time.
6 – Murder House – This season falls in the middle for me because, I get this is where it all started.. but I would love to see AHS decide it’s time to ‘move on’ from it. It comes back around way too often for my tastes in other seasons (and even spin-offs) and it would be nice to see the show give it a rest. 5 – Freak Show – This was an interesting one for me. The whole carnival vibe I enjoyed, and Finn as Dandy was a standout performance for me. 4 – 1984 – I liked the schlock of it. The season captured the ’80s vibe great, and it was exciting for me to see them bring Ramierez back.
3 – Hotel – I’ll say it, I loved Lady Gaga in this season. All the acting was pretty top notch, the story was engaging, and nothing felt too forced for me. A very solid season from top to bottom. 2 – Coven – I adore The Witches. Coven was a great story, the infighting and intrigue about the Supreme… it hit all the right notes for me. 1 – Apocalypse – I’ll be honest, this almost came in at the second spot as the first few episodes I was a bit “meh” on, but once The Witches showed up and everyone revealed their true colors, this season really took off. Cody Fern as Michael Langdon REALLY gave me some “Lucifer/Ahura Mazda” vibes from Cry for Dawn and there was little, if anything, I would change about the season as a whole.
Week one – you get SomethingClassic
Week two – you get Something In Review
Week three – you get The Wheel
Week four – you get The End
What about Week five!? Don’t the Somethings plan for Week five!? It happens every year — and the answer is, aww hell no they don’t. It’s a free for all! The Somethings settle in and talk about what’s up, what’s going on, what they’re watching – and in this episode, quite a bit about American Horror Stories… so that’s a spoiler warning on that.
So settle in and hang out with the Somethings…
Ok, here we go!
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How often are you skimming through your streaming options and all of a sudden you see a documentary and go, ‘I do want to know more about that?’ – For me, there are a lot of docu’s I just don’t get into. I’m not one to sit and dive into a 10 part World War I retrospective with all new footage or, with exceptions coming, anything political, and lastly.. anything brutal about animals. There have been a lot of award winning documentaries that fit in those three spots, but the first two put me to sleep and the last one makes me never want to sleep again. More than one person has said to me I should watch ‘Don’t F**k With Cats’ – and I am certain I would love everything about it except, you know, someone fucking with a cat.
All that said – here’s a few of the documentaries I’ve watched in the last year or so that may have slid by your radar – or are just so damned good they deserve to be praised over and over again.
The Defiant Ones – Featured on HBO, Emmy nominations abound, the story of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre was so shockingly good, I was late to work the next morning because I couldn’t stop binging it. Two men who come from very different backgrounds who climbed up the music world away from each other, but ultimately became music mavens in the same eras and ultimately met up in the middle to create beautiful harmonious business together. By far one of the most slickly produced and well thought out documentaries I’ve ever seen. Part 3 (out of 4) features a comparison between the rock & metal love affair with edgy Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson’s problems with the violent problems of the East Coast/West Coast rap battle that makes you realize that the culture of music is the same, no matter the genre.
Q: Into The Storm – Ok, so I said I don’t get political, but the story of the rise and fall of the conspiratorially minded political landscape of the last 5+ years and how it has a direct lineage to the old internet is an astounding journey. Centering on the ‘Who is…’ question that has never fully been answered, it paints a very full picture about, not the politics themselves, but the people that built the theaters those politics have lived in.
My Octopus Teacher – Ugly cried… I ugly cried at this damn film. It is a tale about a man looking to reboot his life and finding an octopus that he becomes remarkably attached to – and the octopus to him. It is poignant, and sad, and wonderful, and you will inevitably find yourself invested in their lives that when it comes to its end you can’t help but feel things.
Circus of Books – A journey through queer culture of the 80’s and 90’s as told from the remarkably unexpected perspective of an older couple who ran one of the most famous gay pornography stores in Hollywood. The story is this amazing set piece to not just hear about the journey of gay culture, but also tell the story of this young woman who grew up with this as her home and her two unassuming simple parents, as the protectors of it all.
SpeedCubers – Have you ever wanted to feel deeply invested into the tale of Rubix Cube speedrunners? Yeah, I didn’t expect it either.. but Speedcubers is exactly that. It explains the people in the community of speed-completing Rubix Cubes – their rises and falls – and the friendships for a whole world of people that may have a harder time finding community elsewhere.
So these are just a few of the real stories that I’ve fallen into recently – what are some documentaries that you have seen or we have missed? Let us know in all the usual places!
We’ve traveled down the road and back again – and we’re here with another episode of… THE END!
It’s been a few months of supernatural, outerspace, dystopian nightmares – so we decided to go with something a little lighter this month – a show about 4 brilliant women who keep joking about death.
That’s right – it’s everyone’s favorite mid-afternoon show you put on and won’t admit to watching… Golden Girls!
So, how did the adventures of Sophia, Rose, Blanche, and Dorothy end? Was it in a hail of bullets? A mass chemical explosion that merged them into one mecha Golden Girl? We’re about to tell you…
Thank you for being a friend – now let’s go!
Full Episode
Hey all, PCR here. Reading Hatton’s blog last week as he took a walk down memory lane with some video game accessories got me waxing nostalgic as well, and this week I wanted to speak on some of my favorite Table Top RPGs from back in the day. So, without further ado, grab your sheet and your dice, and let’s roll….
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition – Still my favorite version of D&D as it’s what I spent the majority of my D&D time playing. I don’t begrudge folks their 5th ed and their D20 systems, but for me, this was something special. More streamlined than 1st ed, some great new spells and categories.. to me it just had a great, smooth feel to it. Had I the books, I would love to get into a 2nd Ed group to this day.
Mutants & Masterminds – My first foray into the d20 system came from M&M, and I have to say, I loved this system from Green Ronin. The rules were polished enough that combat was easy to jump into without feeling overly bogged down, and the creation was flexible enough that everything pretty much made sense. I’ve played RIFTS and GURPS and such, and while you can come up with anything your heart imagines in those systems, sometimes it just feels “Huh… sure.. ok…”, but in M&M it all felt like it made more sense. The closest a Super Hero RPG has been for me since the original “Marvel Super Heroes”. Speaking of…
Marvel Super Heroes – I still love this system, even with all its flaws. Loved the FASERIP chart, loved the d100 system.. my friends and I would spend countless hours just doing Battle Royal games…setting a timer for 5 minutes per person, having so many points to spend and just the Ultimate Powers Book to make a character, grab a random map, and off we go.
We’re back with our random episode generator – THE WHEEL!
THis time, it is taking us back into the Mysteries of the Somethingverse while we discuss a phenomenon from the early 90s where slimy… something.. rained down from the skies.
What was it? Where did it come from? Why hasn’t it happened again? There is only one way for you to learn about these questions (I can’t say the answers, because then it wouldn’t be a mystery, duh..)
On this – Mysteries of the Somethingverse: Oakville Blobs
Ok here we goo!
Full Episode
In the last couple weeks, Steam just announced their new Steamdeck – which for those who aren’t video game obsessed, is a small portable gaming system that is running, quite literally, a computer. The key is that it is made very specifically to play your Steam games. So, that brings us to me, someone who plays altogether way too many video games. So many video games it gets in the way of important things like getting podcast blog posts up on time and doing my job effectively and providing love and support to my family. Why do any of that when I’ve almost gotten the final Valkyrie in God of War?! PRIORITIES, PEOPLE!
That leads us to this list – a list of video game technology I have owned that sadly, for one reason or another, completely failed…
The Power Glove – Yeah.. it’s so bad.. When I was a kid, the commercials for the Power Glove were everywhere. As a science fiction nerd, it looked like the type of thing you could wear in your Blade Runner future. It was loaded with a hundred buttons, it had tentacle pipes coming out of the fingers, it was made to look like you were about ready to journey through the slipstream of data and right into the non-existent information super-highway at unthinkable speeds like 14.4 baud.
God it sucked.
I wanted it to play one game well.. only one. And that game was Mike Tyson’s Punch Out. I’d heard you could drive the car in Outrun with your hand on the invisible wheel… didn’t care. You could, ummm… make Zelda move by waving your hand vaguely up and down? I don’t know – and it didn’t matter – you should have been able to throw a punch at your screen and have it ‘get it’. Sadly, it didn’t. It was bad at everything. I would take it out to show people.. or put it on because it made me feel like I wa sin the future! Then it would go back in the box.
The U-Force – Everyone remembers the Power Glove, but do you remember the U-Force? I put a picture for you to maybe possibly remember the endless commercials that played during your late 80s rock block of Saturday morning cartoons. It was a laptop of a thing that you were supposed to run your hand over and make gestures to have it control the character. The idea was a freedom of movement that hadn’t been seen since The Power Glove!
Sadly, whatever its intention was – failed. the Infrared tech that ran it just wasn’t good enough to register consistently and, honestly, it was never quite clear why it existed in the first place. I mean, look at this thing…
The Vita – Sony’s self-made albatross. The Vita is an amazing, pretty, compact, great sounding, fantastic feeling, handheld console that you can play your Playstation 4 on if you are on the same network. (It only works 25% of the time when on a different network). It could have legitimately been the thing that made the Playstation 4 a /must have/ instead of a ‘I’ll see how it goes’ with good enough support.
Sadly, in America, it bombed pretty drastically – it got no press whatsoever after its initial outting, it is missing a pair of shoulder buttons to make it replicate the Playstation controller, and its worst offending trait: it uses a memory card that is made by Sony instead of using the same MicroSD cards that you can get at any tech store.
I still pick it up and play games on it, although as time goes on, I find myself leaning more and more on my tablet for such things – and there are a few diehard Vita loving folks out there… sadly, Sony is not on that list, and I expect if the Steamdeck does half of what it says it does, the dust is going to start to pile up on it.
So what are some of your favorite video game accessories, loved or not?
Welcome to the Something Variance Authority.
Please sign-in by clicking the link below where all of the opinions and ideas about the most recent Diz show, Loki will be revealed. If you bump into your own self, don’t stress it, it’s cool.. and yes, it’s ok if you make out with them. We here at the Something Variance Authority are totally ok with it.
That’s right Somethings, we’re heading into the Marvelverse again, but this time we’re bringing back a Something Alum – one of our favorite people in the world. None other than @UnGajje himself, Tim Stevens. After you are done listening – go check out Tim’s work on The Spool (@TheSpool on Instagram & Twitter) as it is a certifiable fact that you’ll want more of the entertainment this man provides.
So welcome to a fixed location in time. The rest of the future is mutable, but you – here – listening – is clearly something you shouldn’t mute.
Ready? Loki here we go!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here.
I’ve had something rolling around in my brain ever since we did our “Hateful 8” episode that we’ve joked about on a few occasions, but never really dove in to, and that is… “When does Style become Gimmick?” There are a lot of directors that have a certain “style”, but I feel many of them lean on that style so much that they become a parody of themselves and their movies no longer feel like “A movie directed by…” as much as they feel like “A movie done in the style of…”. Here is a list of my biggest offenders.
Tim Burton
You knew he was going to be on this list. He’s shown he can indeed use more than 4 colors (Big Fish, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Mars Attacks!…) but he’s most well known for his ‘gothic fantasy’ color palette as seen in “Batman”, “Sweeny Todd”, “Sleepy Hollow” and many MANY many others. Even “Alice in Wonderland” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” felt like instead of making a regular movie Tim Burton said “WHAT IF… I use a LOT of colors???”.
M. Night Shyamalan
Sure, “The 6th Sense” put him on the map for most people, and “Unbreakable” was great… “Signs” and “The Village” turned him into “the twist ending guy”. Now, I’m not sure if it’s because he felt if he ever did a movie without one people would turn on him for not doing ‘his thing’, but the name that used to put asses in seats became a bit of a punchline for a while. I remember seeing a trailer for “Devil” in the theaters, and the crowd was very into it… until the screen showed “…a movie by M. Night Shyamalan” and the place erupted in boos. To his credit, perhaps the most self aware he’s been of his ‘gimmick’ is when he backed out from doing “Life of Pi” stating… “I was hesitant because the book has kind of a twist ending. And I was concerned that as soon as you put my name on it, everybody would have a different experience. Whereas if someone else did it, it would be much more satisfying, I think. Expectations, you’ve got to be aware of them” Michael Bay
The man who brought you “Bad Boys II”, “Transformers”, “The Rock” and “Armageddon” has also brought you metric fucktons of explosions, and throws around Dutch Angles like JJ Abrams uses lense flare. Now, I’ll freely admit, I really enjoy Bad Boys II, and seeing that felt he’d be a great director for Transformers (and I still don’t think I was wrong when the first movie is discussed), but it’s like he started becoming a superfan of his own work and “Baysplosions” were really a thing. Still, as bad and campy as they may be, most of them are still amazingly fun, and when Epic Rap Battles of History riffs on you, you’ve certainly put a mark on pop culture.
Quentin Tarantino
In my opinion, the worst of the bunch when it comes to ‘Style as Gimmick” because it’s the most egregious. Tarantino has an eye for cinematography for sure, but it’s his scripting and language that, to me, have become problematic. While “Reservoir Dogs” and “Pulp Fiction” made him a name when it comes to great conversational scenes and dialogue, “Jackie Brown”, “Django Unchained” and more recently “Hateful 8” felt like he was going out of his way to be controversial when it comes to the use (and sometimes HEAVY use) of certain words (which won’t even be alluded to here… you know which one I’m talking about). I’m not a ‘feet’ guy, but I’d have rather sat through 20 different shots of Quention licking toes than the nearly 50 times “that word” is used in “Hateful 8” (which is still less than half the number of times it was used in “Django”). Now, there are people who defend his use of that language in his films (most notably, Samuel L. Jackson), but in my opinion, if you’re specifically using a word or language for no other reason than to make your viewing audience uncomfortable watching it, then it’s a crutch and only being done gratuitously.
What would you do for a Klondike Bar? Have you been injured in the workplace, you may be due compensation? Where IS the beef! Have you ever felt… not so fresh?
The Somethings are here to freshen up your day with a brand new classic Somethingcast episode where we are talking about the hours of television we rarely talk about. The periods between all of those “stories” that we “enjoy” — that’s right, we’re talking about the commercials. Which ones are our favorites or have blown us away with their commercialness.
Find out now – and call soon, operators are standing by. ♫ Something you feel like a nut.. Something you don’t. ♫
..and now a word from our sponsors..
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I recently saw a movie on Shudder that I’d like to talk about. We usually don’t use this space for individual reviews, but this was so unique, and so bothersome for me, that I thought I’d change up the formula.
If you don’t have Shudder, it’s the Netflix for horror films. From classics to a lot of new, to some original.. it really is a great mix of the genre. That said, horror is one of the easiest genres to do poorly, so there is quite a bit of bad amongst the brilliant.
Amongst them was a movie called ‘WNUF Halloween Special’ that came out in 2013. The reason that it is notable is that it is framed like a syndicated news report. I’m sure if you live near a larger city, you have your ‘WNYC NEW YORK’ affiliate with its ‘GOOD MORNING, DAYTON’ morning show and its weekend ‘PORTLAND LIFE WITH CHIP MOCKLY’ or whatever. They talked about the big stories, too, but they always felt a little more personal and it wasn’t unheard of to even know or run into the anchors.
Well, WNUF frames their handcam-horror show based on a report that came out in the late 80s, early 90s as a reporter and camera person go into a supposedly haunted house to perform a seance on Halloween. The anchors are smarmy, the host is a jaded old news rat, the locals that have gathered are awkward and have no idea how to talk into a mic. It feels as real as it possibly could. The first five minutes, I was floored that this concept had never been concieved of doing before.
Then the commercials. If the news spots were good, the commercials are amazing. Each one handcrafted to taste like some local business. State fairs, late movie creature features, car salesman in stupid outfits.. its all there with this grainyness and audio tinnyness that feels like it comes straight from its era and was ripped off VHS. Again – if you have nostalgia for this period of time – you will be blown away how hard it hits the nail on the head.
So we should watch it, you ask…
No – no you shouldn’t. Because what it succeeds in framing and graphical expertise in making everything feel and sound beautifully period, it fails in a story. It goes to commercials all too often, which is period accurate, but narratively frustrating as hell. In the same ways I was astounded that they made me feel like I was watching WPIX NY, I got angrier and angrier as a steady dose of nothing continued to happen.
I watch a lot of bad cinema, and I walk away going ‘well, they did what they set out to do’, but rarely does a piece of work make me feel anger at how much potential it gave up. If this is what my parents meant when they said ‘I’m not mad, just disappointed’ – then I finally get it.
If you have Shudder, do yourself a favor and watch the first 15 minutes of this… then turn it off, and imagine a really great movie they could have made. It will be better than the one you skipped.
You can find more reviews like this, over at my LETTERBOXD account where I catalog everything I watch when I remember to.
It’s the last of the YEAR 8 themed episodes, so now we get to The End… with our thinnest premise yet. STARG8.
What started as a surprising cult-hit of a sci-fi movie that, I say having seen it recently, still holds up — turned into a television epic that spanned multiple television shows, a couple made-for-tv movies, and a universe of characters.
This though, is the original. Stargate SG-1 and the end of its 10 season run.
Did it live up to its legacy? Was it simply a stopgap between one show and another network? Well, there’s only one way you are going to find out – and that is by either watching ten years of leaping through gates to mysterious lands, boldly going where no man has go– sorry, wrong one… you could watch the original, or you could just listen to our take on The End: Stargate SG-1
Ok, here we go!
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Hey Somethings, PCR here!
James and I had a great time recording our “Movie Quotes” episode…so much so that we both wanted to continue on the quote hype train. While James waded back in to Movies and Television, I’m going to drift more in to music… and.. more specifically, quotes from one of my favorite YouTube channels… Epic Rap Battles of History.
Without further ado… my “Top 8 favorite ERB lines”!
8 – “It’s Wendy, the hip-hoppin’ Pippy Longstocking… no flows as Frosty as the salad bars that I’m droppin'” – Burger King vs Ronald McDonald (feat. Wendy). The cameo we weren’t expecting, but absolutely elevated an already awesome battle.
7 – “Meanwhile I’ve mastered the atom more than any man alive, now I’m here to split you like 2 and 3 from 5” – J Robert Oppenheimer vs Thanos. This was a DEEP dive line that showed these guys seriously do their homework.
6 – “Let’s skip the kick flips and McTwists, you’ll be speechless after three periods like an ellipsis…” – Wayne Gretzky vs Tony Hawk. Another example of these guys diving deep to not only make lyrics rhyme, but show amazing creativity while doing it.
5 – “You swamp-school dropout you’re too whiny to rhyme, at least when I Slytherin a sister.. she isn’t mine” – Harry Potter vs Luke Skywalker. Two heavyweight franchises fighting it out gave us this fantastic dig.
4 – “Get beat by Count Dracula? You’re smoking crackula I dunk on your whackula raps like I’m Shaqula” – Count Dracula vs Vlad the Impaler. I’m a sucker for running rhymes and this one stole this battle.
3 – “Maybe Q can craft some new plotlines… you made Thunderball two bloody times” – James Bond vs Austin Powers. As a Bond fan, this line almost broke me and once again shows the levels of research the team does for their lyrics.
2 – “O, happy dagger pierce me true, persuade my breath to stop. Sheath yourself inside my heart, and like the beat…I drop” – Romeo and Juliette vs Bonnie and Clyde. There was a LOT to like about this battle, but to have come up with this line was near perfection.
1 – “Face it Ernesto, you’re Castro but less so. He’s Cuba Commander you’re more of the Destro”. – Che Guevara vs Guy Fawkes. A brutal diss, great rhyme AND pop culture relevant? Winner winner chicken dinner.
IT’S STILL YEAR 8!
And now it’s time to spin the wheel.. the wheel full of odd and interesting ideas and weird episode ephemera we can’t seem to fit in any other week. So what happens when you take a movie – and recast it with the same actors… but from other roles?
Well, I’m going to tell you what – you have today’s episode of the Wheel where we try and shove other characters into Hateful Eight.
Why Hateful Eight? Because we have a theme we’re holding on to, and I’ll admit, this is the best we came up with. So, we go over the details of one of Quentin Tarantino’s most devisive movies and replay it, but with a bunch of weird choices.
Ready? Ok – here we go!
Full Episode
If you are a faithful Something, you have already listened to, or joined in as we celebrated our Year 8 Podiversary this month. On that first episode, we discussed our favorite quotes.. not just the best quotes, but our personal favorites.
For those who have never met me, I am a walking bastardization of a movie quote. There are so many great words that have been spoken in films and written in books that I have slipped into my brain, and reasonably gotten wrong most of the time, that for a long time it was its own joke that I know the movie, but I screw up the quote. I stand by that sometimes my versions are better…
More to the point at hand, we did 8 movies and it just didn’t feel like it was enough – so here is a few more quotes, not just from movies, that inspire me, altered me, or otherwise have moved me in some way.
- “I don’t have to explain my art to you, Warren”
I know, shock me shock me shock me with that deviant behavior… Empire Records is a movie that stuck with me the way, I assume, Breakfast Club stuck with the kids that came a few years before me. The internal affairs of the half-dozen twenty-somethings screwing up while they try to save their failing business model. To this day, when people talk about their favorite job.. the place where it wasn’t just the place they worked, but the place they grew.. it’s their Empire Records job.
- “This is my day, this is my song! // I am alive… what can go wrong?”
Now a song. Carbon Leaf’s ‘This Is My Song’ – which is the song I use when I just need to turn my brain around. When I am in a headfog of self-defeat and an inability to feel like anything around me will ever be better. I turn on this song and, no, things don’t magically get all the better, but be damned if I’m not just ever so slightly in a better headspace.
Doubly so if I can sing it at the top of my lungs loud enough to startle the people driving in the next lane over.
- “Stop looking for the next secret door that is going to lead you to your real life. Stop waiting. This is it: there’s nothing else.”
This right here is from Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, which is my favorite book series of all time. Some people just can’t get past the main character’s sort of grumpy Holden Caulfield, angry at the world, demeanor. Unlike Quentin from the television show based on the book, I get book Quentin and I’d like to believe we would hate each other, but he would get me…
So there you go, and I have a feeling we’ll do another quote episode sometime in the future with the fun we had. But what’s yours? What’s your favorite quote from anything! You can find us everywhere, just click a link at the top and poof.. there we are.
– James
Just a lil story about a boy on his bike and the cute alien he keeps in the front basket…
…if by cute alien we meant horrifying kaiju – and by basket, we meant ‘from destroying the entire city’
It’s our Year 8 festivities yet again (hint: they’ll be going on all month) – so we are taking a favorite of Hatton’s and discussing whether it holds up – now or ever. So settle in, have a Slusho and dodge the incoming lens flare – it’s Super 8 on Something In Review…
Ok, here we go!
Full Episode
Hey there Somethings!
This week, I’m going to dive into something I enjoy doing, and haven’t done enough of lately… baking.
Years ago, on a whim, I applied to work at Carlos’ Bakery (of “Cake Boss” fame) in Hoboken, NJ. I got as far as having an interview with Joey. It was… surreal. The line to buy stuff was out the door, and I had been instructed to bypass the line and let them know I was there for an interview at the counter.
When I did, they ushered me to the ‘consultation table’ (If you’ve seen the show, you know what I’m talking about) right at the front of the store.. and immediately, cameras came out from those waiting in line thinking Buddy was coming out….the disappointment was noticeable when he didn’t.
I was brought back through the main bakery, up the narrowest flight of stairs I’ve ever been up, and into one of the upstairs offices where I met with Joey. I showed him pictures of some of the things I had backed and decorated and.. either genuinely, or to be polite.. said he was impressed. The job offer was… less than stellar however since I had neither a diploma from a culinary school, or a certificate of completion for a culinary course. I turned the offer down, but it lit a fire to keep doing what I was doing.
That said, here are my favorite desserts I’ve made….
Cheesecake-filled Strawberries
Simple to make, look great on a table, and addictive to eat. Hollow out some good-sized strawberries, decoratively pipe in some cheesecake filling (I make it from cream cheese and vanilla extract) and serve. I’ve also done chocolate dipped versions as well.
Tiramisu Cupcakes
Yellow cake cupcakes hollowed out and drizzled with coffee, filled with mascarpone cheese, topped with vanilla icing and shaved chocolate. Not quite as moist as the traditional version, but all the flavor profiles are there, looks great, and there is no mistaking what you’re tasting.
Basic B*tch Cupcakes
Take a Latte Oreo, put it in the bottom of a cupcake paper, fold in pumpkin compote to a spice cake mix (replacing half the liquid with the compote), spoon the mix over the Oreo and bake. Top with vanilla icing.
S’mores Eggroll
Crumble up some graham cracker and place on an eggroll wrapper. Add some chocolate chips and marshmallows, wrap the wrapper like a traditional eggroll and deep fry. The hard part is letting them cool off just enough that when you bite into it marshmallow lava doesn’t destroy your mouth.
The Fat Elvis
My most favorite. Chocolate cupcake filled with banana cream pudding, topped with peanut butter icing and crumbled bacon. I honestly don’t think anything else needs be said about it!
♫ Happy Birthday to us… ♫
♫ Happy Something dear Something… ♫
That’s right – the Somethingcast has made it to Year 8, and with that comes a month of a little something we call: More Episodes
That’s right, we’re celebrating Year 8 in style with a theme this month.. you’ll figure it out. That said, this week we went live on Twitch to party with a crew of folks and recorded it to become this week’s episode. We’re talking movie quotes, which is one of those topics that feels so remarkably part of who we are, it was a surprise we never actually broke down some of our favorites. Not the world famous, but OUR favorite.
So settle in and let us know what your favorite quotes are… we’re all ears – and cheers to Year 8!
Full Episode
As we inch closer to being able to go hangout places again, there is one thing that I can’t wait for. It isn’t parties or going to the movies, although those will be nice… it’s sitting down with a few friends, or even a couple of strangers, and playing some board games.
Tabletop Simulator has done a little bit of scratching the ‘board game’ itch, but an afternoon around a stack of cardboard and dice legitimately sounds like a dream I once had, and I can’t wait to get back to it. Sometimes the games are laugh riots where everyone is just having a great time, others its deep strategy while you pour over dozens of little chips that represent armies or spaceships or elemental beasts…
No matter what your game dujour is – here is a brief list of the games that I am looking forward to cracking open, hopefully sooner than later. And, mind you, it also acts as a list of ‘great games you might not have played’
– Betrayal At House On The Hill – Arguably my favorite board game of the last decade, it doesn’t matter how many times I’ve played Betrayal… when someone suggests it, I am always first in line to choose my character. The premise, is that a group of thrown together folks are searching a house. Every game, the house is revealed randomly, so it is never the same look twice.
Eventually, some bad things happen and – this is where the magic happens – the game /changes/. More often than not, someone becomes the villain, and a plot is revealed. Whether it is a mysterious wedding the players have to stop or a rocket missle that is about to launch itself from the basement – Betrayal isn’t always a well-balanced game… but it is always a fun one.
– Werewolf/Mafia/One Night/Resistance – I put all of these games in the same pile because they all fit the same genre: Social Deduction Gaming. Someone (or ones) are the baddies, and through a mix of logic and unfettered arguing, it is up to the rest to reveal who it is before time is up. These games tend to do better with quite a few people, but when you have the right mix of sneaky players, meta players, loud players, and quiet players.. all with a little bit of knowledge, but nobody with all of the knowledge; add in a couple of drinks and you have yourself hours of some of the most fun deductive bickering a group can have.
You may have noticed I have a thing for games with traitors, or at least us vs them dynamics.. I do. A lot. So instead of listing nothing but traitor-oriented games, here are a few that don’t involve someone being an asshole. (But first, to add to those, there’s also Shadows Over Camelot and Letters from Whitechapel with are both worth your time)
– Charterstone – I was given Charterstone as a Christmas gift a few years ago, and my wife and I played it weekly until we had completed the campaign. I have been patiently waiting to have forgotten the strategy enough to play it again. You see, Charterstone is a ‘Legacy’ game, where along the journey, you draw/sticker/and edit the board as you go, guaranteeing that your end results of the 13 or so game series is drastically different than another set of players.
At its heart Charterstone is a ‘build a resource to trade a resource’ game, but the strategies you lay out in the first games become the lifeblood of your country in later games… and with the players, you build a world together.
– Love Letter – They don’t all have to be grand adventures… sometimes the best game is the one you can play a dozen times before you move on to something else. Love Letter is a game that has 16 cards, and takes about ten minutes from beginning to end. You have one card in your hand and take one card, and then play one of the two. It is remarkably simplistic, but the strategy can become fairly intense even in its short playtime. Perfect as a pick-up game between marathon sessions of any of the other games on this list.
So what boardgames have you been staring at on your shelves and swearing you are going to dust eventually? Let us know in all of the usual places and have a safe and healthy Fourth.
– Hatton
Doesn’t it feel like we just had one of these? Well, that’s because we did back in March… which, as far as the world is currently, could have been last week or yesterday.
But that’s fine, because we’re back with another 5th Week Free-For-All – the ‘we didn’t plan for it’, ‘what’s going on with the boys’, ‘look, how much content do you expect from us a month, geez?’ episode where we just talk about the things we’ve been doing to keep from going insane inside of our thankfully, slowly disintigrating bubbles.
So settle in as we talk about what we’re up to, watching, playing — and ..whoa.. actually interacting with living fleshbag humans!?
Ok, yet again, here we go!
Full Episode
Hey folks, PCR here with some more TV that went under the radar (at least in the US)
I stumbled upon this first one on Netflix a while ago, and while they only had 2 seasons listed, there are a whopping FOURTEEN seasons available on Youtube. I’m talking about “Canada’s Worst Driver”. This show is equal parts hilarious and terrifying… hilarious in the way that, for those of us who drive (and have common sense) it’s crazy that there are people out there that have the thoughts and beliefs about driving (and driving laws) they actually have. it is also terrifying in the way that…. or those of us who drive (and have common sense) it’s crazy that there are people out there that have the thoughts and beliefs about driving (and driving laws) they actually have. 8 people get nominated by friends and/or relatives as “Canada’s Worst Driver” and are sent to a “Rehabilitation Centre” where they learn driving skills. Each episode, the driver who has improved the most… gets sent home… until there are only 3 left, and one of them end up getting named “Canada’s Worst”, complete with trophy and all.
The second show I’ll mention, “Canada’s Worst Handyman” (which has all 6 seasons also on Youtube) is the spiritual sister show of CWD. In CWH, there are only 5 competitors, and no one goes home each week… instead they all stay the whole season. The worst each week “hangs their head in shame” (hangs an actual portrait of themselves on the wall of shame), and the most improved becomes “The Foreman” for the group challenge they all work on throughout the season. It’s a bit less scary (at times) than CWD, although watching someone take over 170 swings to hammer a nail is like watching a car wreck.
The thing these shows have in common is their host, Andrew Younghusband.
This man is destined for Sainthood. The patience he has with people who either can’t learn, or are too stubborn to learn because ‘they know better’ (yet… here they are…) is something most of us should surely aspire to. To balance the job of ‘being host of a show that is… for all intents and purposes.. comedy’, and yet still honestly want to teach these people to ‘be better’, is not an easy thing to do, and Younghusband does it with ease. Even as the seasons of CWD continued on, and you watch him transform from ‘spry young host’ to ‘older and wiser’ (and could be bitter) host… he doesn’t. As Chris Rock once said “I’ll never hit a woman. I’ll shake the shit out of one tho…” it’s amazing that Andrew never even comes close to that with any of the contestants based of the people he interacts with.
That being said, do yourself a favor and check out at least an episode of each, and I assure you that you will almost certainly feel better about your own skills.
– PCR
Carry On My Waayyyywarrrd Sonnnn….
Well this week we are carrying on about a show that went wayward quite a few times and yet never went too too far awayward. Dean and Sam have triumphed in Star’s Hollow, they’ve defeated the Harlem Globetrotters, they’ve taken down Galactus, twice, and now it’s time for them to hang up their monster-hunting boots.
A show with a legacy of fandom, a legacy of marching on beyond the end of the parade, and continuing to go on even after the Energizer Bunny said ‘..look, I’m taking a nap’ – Supernatural is going to stand as a testament to a lot of wonderful things about television, but also… you know.. some other things.
So did the last hurrah for the two men that have fought Satan, God, Nethercreatures, Demons, Angels, Archangels, and LARPers leave the imprint the show deserves?
…my guess is you are aware of the answer to that. OH! Before you listen ~ go click the survey button above.
So let’s get going with, shall we? Ok, here we carry on…
Full Episode
Since the most recent episode is the Somethings revisiting EverRealm, I was thinking about some of the other reality shows (some gameshow types, some not) that I’ve enjoyed. When the big trend on television followed the Survivor trend of ‘put people in places and just record them’ – there was a lot out there, and because of that, some just didn’t make the cut longer than a season or two… others though, went on forever.
With an honorable mention to The Quest for being the inspiration for this, here are some of the reality shows I found myself glued to.
– The Real World – The grand-daddy of them all, MTV changed the game when they took a handful of twenty-somethings and threw them together in a loft in New York and told them to live with their differences. I know I’m not alone when I say that the Real World exposed me to people, cultures, sexualities, and types of people that I had never met before. As time went on, the show seemed to lose itself to a more party-oriented ‘who will hook-up’ type show, but the first half-dozen seasons or so is some of the most beautifully not-crafted television I have ever seen.
– The Joe Schmo Show – This one is almost a gimme, and was one of the big reasons we were so excited to interview Ralph Garman a few years back. The twist on the reality gimmick, one (or two) players, the rest are scripted actors. Can they run an on-the-fly narrative around these people while the craziness keeps amping up? Season One was one of the most must-see pieces of television around my house and over the years it may be one of the only DVD Boxsets I’ve cracked open to revisit.
– Whodunnit – This one is the silliest on the list, but I would most certainly watch another season if it existed. Framed as a Clue-esque murder mystery, each week another competitor was “murdered” off the show, and added to the narrative. At its best, it was a puzzle to unravel with its tongue planted firmly in its cheek, it wasn’t a great show by any stretch, but the premise was so out there, I was hooked to see how it finally ended.
– Scream Queens – Obviously, as a lover of horror movies, I’d love to see more reality shows that focused on doing creepy things. Sadly, it’s hard to make reality as scary as movies. Giggling twenty-somethings walking with GoPros strapped to their heads just isn’t scary… but Scream Queens was as close as its come. Part acting, part horror – it was a season long screentest to try and find a new Final Girl for an upcoming horror movie. It was a great premise, if only it dipped even deeper into its scary roots.
– Solitary – If there is one show on this list you probably aren’t aware of.. it’s this one, and it is such a shame. Framed around a Portal-like narrative where a computer has people in test pods and is running experiments on them, Solitary was an adventure in ‘being alone’. Whether the competitors had to build giant contraptions in their test chambers, or try and sleep with blaring lights and sound as punishment, their computer overlord, Val made this three season Fox show a brilliant experiment in minimalism.
– Hatton
It should be no surprise that the Somethings love the 2014 reality game – The Quest. We were only given one season, but it has kept a rabid cult fanbase begging for it to be revisited.
Over the years, we have had the honor to become friends with some of the Paladins, so with a new Quest series coming to Disney Plus, it only felt right to head back to Everealm again and make some predictions about what is to come.
We are thrilled to welcome back to the show, Paladins Jasmine, Jim, and Patrick – as we discuss what adventures they have gone on since their journey, and what they are looking forward to when it comes to what a new threat will have to be defeated by a new team of Paladins. So, sharpen your swords and load up your scorpions – we’re sending messages to the Fates themselves as we talk about The Quest Season 2.
And if you are interested in what the Paladins have been up to – you can find them here:
Paladin Jasmine – Twitter: TolkienBlkGirl – Chaste Treasure : ChasteTreasure.com
Paladin Jim – Twitter: JimTheLibrarian – Facebook: PaladinJimCurry
Paladin Patrick – Twitter: PQHiggins – DeviantArt: PaladinPatrick – War Dragons (IOS)
The Quest Army – Twitter: TheQuestArmy – Insta : thequestarmy_offical
But now – let’s get to the good stuff – Ok, here we go!
Full Episode
Hey guys, Podcast Rob here.
We’re closing in on completing our 8th year of podcasting next month.
Eight years.
What started as a fun/silly almost vanity project between two friends who hadn’t seen each other in years, has turned into this… thing… that has grown well beyond the confines of anything we could have imagined when we started this show.
Over 250 episodes, tens of thousands of downloads, over 4000 followers on Twitter… we never ever would have dreamed those numbers would be in reference to our podcast… and yet.. here we are.
We’ve had the opportunity to speak to some absolutely amazing people… from Ralph Garman to B. Dave Walters.. from Jessica RAGZY Ewud to Tim Stevens.. from Mark B Donica, Katie Cullen, Emma Fyffe, Alexis Torres and Megan Salinas to Meredith Placko.. CS Swampfox to The Library Bards… and that doesn’t even scratch the surface of other amazing shows we’ve had the pleasure of interacting with.. Ice and the Face, Pre Rec Live, No One Likes the Tuna, S Anthony Thomas, Gutting the Sacred Cow, Kung Fu Drive In… just to name a few.
Our upcoming episode on June 15th is a continuation of a labor of love interview we did back in 2016 when we spoke to contestants and cast of “The Quest”. It was during this most recent interview, with these amazing people…Jasmine, Jim, Patrick…, that it really hit me how much we have gotten from this show. Even though we hadn’t heard their voices in damn near 5 years.. it felt as if we had just spoken yesterday. Hearing their thoughts, their laughs… these people weren’t just interview subjects, they had become dear friends. As much as our listeners (hopefully) enjoy our episodes, whether we deep dive into mysteries, or go off on tangents, we get even more enjoyment out of it… for not only are we getting to do it, we get to see and hear your reactions and responses to it… and that makes it all worth while.
Who knows where or when this journey will end, but I know without my co-host James, and you listeners, it never would have even started.
Thank you James, thank you guests.. both past and future.. thank you Twitter and Twitch followers, and thank you listeners.
You’re all absolute rockstars.
– PCR
We are in the next era of comic book entertainment. The Marvel mines have been pickaxed so deep that every other funnybook writer is now having their work taken and adapted to the binge-box.
This month, we’re talking about Netflix’s take on Mark Millar’s Jupiter’s Legacy – a world of heroes dealing with their interpersonal relationships over the span of generations, almost like some sort of… legacy..
What did the Somethings think? Well all you need to do is click on that link at the top of the page that says SURVEY and then listen to the episode to find out! The survey is there to help us find out who’s listening, what they’re listening to, and really.. why us? Help us out and give that link a click.
Great, and now that you’ve done that, why don’t you go find your Superdad and go on an adventure with us!
Ok, here we go!
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A Little Bit of Something About Old Gaming Trends…
Over the years, there have been a lot of gaming styles that have come and gone. For a while it was a nonstop litany of Grand Theft Auto clones, and then it was the EA formula of ‘climb tallest spot to unlock area’ games, and crafting games, and MOBA style online games. Lately, as you may be aware, there are a glut of Dead By Daylight ‘4 v 1’ type games. Trends guide an industry, but sadly, that always means that something gets left in the dust – and what it leaves behind isn’t always as good as it once was.
Here are a few gaming trends that have died down that I really miss.
PUZZLERS
Anyone who knows me, knows that I live for puzzles. I spent many a night hunched over my Nintendo, trying to solve a level of Adventures of Lolo or Kickle Cubicle. There are games out there now that embody the classics of puzzlers of years gone by, but they range from the ‘one concept over and over’ like the many Lighton series of games or the variations of Sudoku – to the infuriatingly hard like the games created by puzzle genius Zactronic.
With exceptions out there like Filament and The Pedestrian, there aren’t many well thought puzzle games that grind your brain into the best kind of dust.
ADVENTURE
Back in the day, we had two kinds of music, country and/or western, rock and/or roll, hip and/or hop. Well in games it was action and/or adventure. Action games were all about running, gunning, shooting, blasting, moving. Adventure games, like the Sierra ‘Quest’ games, 7th Guest, Maniac Mansion, and the best selling game of all time (until 2002), Myst.
Sadly, adventure games, with the ease they can be created with simple engines, a glut of ‘escape room’ flash games and impossible to figure out ‘moon logic’ style games (even amongst the best) have made it really hard to find the gems amongst the trash. The best of recent years is the Sam and Max series by Tell Tale and Life is Strange.
TEXT ADVENTURE
Ok, so I’m sure you’ve caught on that this list is a lot of old genres, and maybe – if you are an old game nerd like me, you’ll go ‘Hatton, there are text adventures coming out every year’ — and the rest of you are utterly confused… but it’s true. Every year, a group of ever-shrinking fans of the old school ‘GO WEST’ ‘OPEN MAILBOX’ ‘READ FLYER’ fans are hiding in their dark basements, fearful of being eaten by a Grue.
There’s a reason though, that the advent of graphics and the much more reflex oriented gaming styles took over and text adventures are more often than not an easter egg or a sly wink in a much bigger game production. That doesn’t mean they aren’t out there – and I highly recommend ‘Stories Untold’ for blending that nostalgia and modern gaming sensibilities gorgeously. I just wish there were more like it out there.
So, oldschool computer nerds – what genre’s do you miss? You know how to tell us. Want to nerd out about Castle of Dr. Brain? Drop a message to @STSTCAST or @REVVOICE on twitter, and we’ll see you next week.
Sometimes a music video provokes a feeling of amazement at the world or astonishment at a special effect or it ties a song in with visuals that you never considered.
Sometimes it’s about street racing and hot women.
This week, the Somethings delve back into the world with music, looking at some fast moving speedy four-wheeled auto-vehicular-transportative-combobulative machines that make sharp turns, deep drifts, and bootleggers reverses across the country while playing some of the songs we all know.
So shift into a higher gear, because we’re about to take you for a ride!
But before we do – we ask you to PLEASE take a look at this survey. It’s short. It’s to the point. It will help the show. I swear.
The Something Survey
We mention in the episode that we would post links to Livestream for the Cure, but donations are now closed – but do not hesitate to donate directly to the Cancer Research Institute.
Now though – here – we – go!
Full Episode
My issue with Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder is what you might call ‘polarizing’. You either seem to love or hate his films.
For myself, when he’s held to fairly strict limitations (IE 300, Watchmen), his films can be amazing to watch. WHen left to his own devices and creativity, his films can be an absolute convoluted shit show.
The only exception to this may be his first movie, “Dawn of the Dead”. It was brilliantly done, and really put Snyder on the map as having not only an eye for cinematography, but… dare I say ‘reverence’… for the original material? Romero’s original is beloved among fans, and it was a dicey proposition to take on a remake of that property, but is usually regarded as his best work.
300 and Watchmen (and yes, I can forgive the creative change to the squid), were visually stunning to the point that, to me, it felt as if the pages of those graphic novels came to life. The way the scenes were shot, the feel of it, the faithfulness to the original material (again, squid notwithstanding) made them, for me, highlights of what Snyder was capable of.
Then… you get absolute messes like Sucker Punch, Man of Steel, Batman Vs Superman… all which COULD have been amazing (in my opinion, some do actually like them), except for the fact that Zack Snyder remembered he’s “Zack Snyder” and had to Zack Snyder all over them. If you’ve seen any of those movies, my statement needs no explanation.
Which, brings me to Army of the Dead.
The pre-title bit was actually amazingly intriguing, and set my expectations for a fairly specific story which… Zack being Zack… completely went sideways and off the rails, and not in a good way. By the time the opening credits were completed, it felt like the entire concept of the movie had changed, and yet.. .I was still curious to sit through 2 and a half hours of Zack being Zack to see where it went from there. Sadly, the rest of the movie seemed to not give a shit about not only the pre-title stuff, but even the stuff that happened during the opening credits. Was the CGI cool? Sure, but Snyder movies are always visually stunning, even when the stories are shit. Was the acting good? Hard to say, and, in a zombie movie, is that really THAT important when zombie tigers and over-the-top gore are your primary drivers?
I’m sure people get in to the film business because they have stories they want to tell, but in my opinion, Zack Snyder should stick to telling other people’s stories in a different medium.
– PCR
Last week, we were honored to be a part of Livestream For The Cure and if you weren’t there, you missed out on a helluva party.
That said, we wanted you to see our hour of the party and hopefully you’ll get in on the fun next year.
Joined, and judged by Nick of the Epic Film Guys, the Somethings are on an elevator, and we only have a few brief (..or not so brief..) moments with Mr. Anthony Michael UsementPark to sell him on our great idea that merges an oft ignored movie franchise and give it the big park treatment. Roadhouse Bumper Cars? Karate Kid: The Crane Kick Dropper? It could be anything – and before we get to our floor, one of us will get to live our ‘big ride’ dreams…
BUT FIRST!– If you are looking to donate to help us live in a world without cancer – click here for the current donation page.
Now, settle in and keep your hands inside the vehicle at all times – Ok, here we go!
Full Episode
It is not a surprise, if you are a fan of the show, that I am a big Saw fan – and am looking forward to seeing Spiral. I’m not mentally prepared to head back into a real live theater yet, but the minute I have the ability to see it at home.. I most assuredly will. That said – Saw gets a pretty bad wrap. I’m sure you’ve heard the term ‘murder porn’ and I use the term myself, just because it is a great definer for the genre. Saw, Hostel, Final Destination.. movies where there is less focus on the murderer (Jason, Freddie, etc) and more on the vehicle of demise.
At its heart though, Saw has a grander story to tell – that if they knew it was going to be such a success beyond its first and second installments, I’d like to believe they would have secured that vision tightly. Since, though, there was a period of time in the late 00’s where a new Saw film was as regular as the sun rising – some corners were cut and opportunities missed. I do understand that there are some holes in the following logic because of actions that occur throughout the series, but it is my headcannon for Saw, and I think it elevates it beyond the ‘Cool Death Simulator’ we see it is.
John Kramer was a man with a string of bad luck. Doctors who didn’t care about him. Insurance that wouldn’t back him. A wife that was trying to change the world, who because of of her work, lost a child. The world spit on John and cast him aside at every turn, and he was going to find a way to get revenge. Each of the initial murders was, albeit impossibly difficult and with some amount of pain and disfigurement, escapable. We even learn that more than one person has not only escaped, but followed Jigsaw’s ethos and joined in his cause.
Of course, great power, great responsibility – and not all of Jigsaw’s converts are fighting for the forces of (exceptionally deadly) light. Detective Hoffman becomes the anti-version of Jigsaw’s vision, killing out of sociopathy versus method. Amanda, Jigsaw’s most dedicated apostle, and his ex-wife who was both estranged but also sympathetic to John’s fight – are left to stop him.
At its heart, when John Kramer is doing the killing – there should be a method – a vehicle – an answer – and a punishment that fits the crime. When Hoffman acts as Jigsaw, that should be a perverted and near always unwinnable challenge. Yes, this is all concerning the methodology of two murderers.. but, if you remove the bodycount of exploded limbs, John Kramer made the people that survive rethink their lives and reconsider what living is. He is obviously not a hero, but in terms of roleplaying games, John should always be Lawful Evil and Hoffman should always be Neutral Evil — but both will always think they are doing good.
What do you think of the Saw franchise? Do you think there is a moral component beneath the reverse bear traps and the pits full of hypodermic needles? Let us know!
—
James Hatton – Freelance Writer, Professional Host, and Online Nuisance Creator of In His Likeness @ http://www.inhislikeness.com Babbling twice a month @ https://www.somethingcast.com
Sign up to keep up with all things Hatton @ http://eepurl.com/beGGuP
You should have known it was coming. Of course we’re going to talk about the last episode of the most recent foray into the wild world of capes! But the Somethings are not alone.. you see, when you have to take down a bunch of politically gray terrorists and argue over a hunk of tin.. sometimes you need a friend – and that’s why we have brought in our long time friend . You may know him from Geek Stuff, or maybe from rollin’ dice and taking names with Role For It on Twitch – it is none other than OG Matt**!
Was the end of the series a solid place to leave off? Admittedly, we dive into the whole of the series a bit more than usual as well as tackle the future of the MCU..
It’s time for The End: Falcon & Winter Soldier
Before we jump in though, don’t forget – starting Weds. – Livestream For the Cure begins! Listen to a marathon of amazing podcasts and we’ll be live on TGIF spot of Friday at 8!
Ok, here we go!
Full Episode
Hey Somethings! This week I’m listing off some of my favorite Netflix shows that are probably under most people’s radar. A while ago, I went on a dive through some Netflix series and stumbled across a number of shows from Australia and here are three of my favorites.
Secret City – How far will a reporter go to uncover corrupt workings in Australia’s government? As more and more comes to light, reporter Harriet Dunkley (played by Anna Torv) must navigate through the possible fallout from a heating-up conflict between China, The US, and Australia fueled by rash actions from Minister of Defence Malcom Paxton (Daniel Wyllie) and Attorney General Catriona Bailey (Jackie Weaver) before the alliance, and her career go up in smoke.
This show was 2 seasons, 6 episodes per season, and I was hooked from the first episode. While low on action, it was high on intrigue, and I will never get tired of the views of the Parliament House in Canberra.
The Code – A tragic accident is hushed up and overlooked until internet journalist Ned Banks (Dan Spielman) and his hacker brother Jesse (Ashley Zukerman) dig into the cause of not only the accident, but the cover up.
Feeling similar in tone to Secret City, The Code was more of a cyber-drama, and the inclusion of Lucy Lawless as Lindara school teacher Alex Wisham brought name recognition to a cast I was otherwise unfamiliar with. Like Secret City, this show has 2 seasons, 6 episodes per season.
Pine Gap – Pine Gap is a shared surveillance facility just outside of Alice Springs Australia, jointly run by The US and Australian governments. While handling a rogue missile attack in proximity to America’s President, the crew at Pine Gap discover malware on their system. The question of “Who put it there” gets muddy when everyone has something to hide.
This is the show that started me down the Aussie TV rabbit hole. While mostly given ‘meh’ reviews in Australia, I greatly enjoyed this show. It’s one of those shows where virtually no one is a bad guy, but no one’s a good guy and everyone can either get along well or rub each other the wrong way at any moment… but to me, none of it felt forced. Only 1 season, Pine Gap is 6 episodes long.
Since ‘This is the May’ or ‘The Fourth Be With You’ or ‘Revenge of the Sith’ or ‘Bleep Bloop BawThirteeneep’ month, we decided to not just give you ONE episode of a galaxy far far away, but a couple of them!
This one was live on Twitch on May 4th, so go sign-up so you don’t miss next month’s. We could have talked Mando again.. we could have talked Battle of Endor – we decided to go back and check to see if the Star Wars from a decade ago holds up. Does the Trade Alliance negotiations make a good story? What about a 3 hour podrace? And love stories abound…. that’s right, it’s the heel turn of Anakin himself, the Star Wars Prequels.
So settle in as we dive into 6+ hours of everyone’s life that has been hotly debated since the’sa come out to the biggum movie screens.
Ok here we go!
Full Episode
A few months back, I did a list of some of the games that have kept me sane while we while away the hours in our bubbles. A lot of them were the big hitters like God of War and Dead by Daylight, but recently I’ve started to deep dive into my Steam backlog to look at a lot of the games that I didn’t give enough of a chance or, more often, missed completely.
Some were bought through a Bundle pack, others were Early Access (a practice I now avoid, but that’s a rant for another day..)
So here’s a short list of some of the little Indies that I’ve checked out, a few I played to completion, and my thoughts as to whether they’re worth your time.
PORTAL RELOADED – Let me start with a cheat. This only recently came out, but I would be doing you a disservice to not mention it. Portal is two of my favorite games of all time, so a well done fan mod that adds a 3rd Portal made me wary. I’ve been hurt before. Fact is, it’s fantastic. The third portal opens a window to the future and the puzzles make you think in an entirely new way about lay out solutions. Highly recommended.
QUBE – On that note, let’s go with the ‘inspired by Portal’ game, QUBE. You wake up in a big white room and have big white gloves that give you powers over the space. The puzzles never twist your brain too hard and the ending is lacking – but you could do a lot worse than losing a few hours to this one.
GRIS – I have a fairly deep opinion of the good and bad ways to use vehicles like games as art. In short, they’re mostly not my thing… but on occasion, there is a game that is so gorgeously rendered that it is impossible to not fall into it. Gris is that. Every moment feels hand drawn and, where you will have very few real challenges in it, it hasn’t been since Transistor that I took so many screenshots just to revisit the world.
NANOTALE – I have a weird love of typing games. It probably is because I honestly have some fast words per minute and do enjoy stretching those muscles sometimes. I assume this is how sports people feel about holding balls.. maybe.. anyway.. Nanotale is the spiritual sequel to Epistory, another typing game by the same publisher, where you use words to adjust magic, discover nature, defeat baddies, and it is all done with a beautifully built world.
These are just a few of the games I’ve attacked the last few weeks, and I’m sure sometime in the future I’ll revisit this list, as there were some real bombs amongst these gems.
That said, I’m always looking for suggestions on little indie titles I may have missed, so don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know what you’re playing!
A Long Time Ago… On A Podcast Far Far Away…
The Somethings are getting in on all of the May the Fourth fun, jumping parsecs ahead of all of the other podcasts and discussing some of their favorite toys of the Star Wars universe. From blasters to droids to ships to those cool binocular things – Hatton and PCR are breaking down some of the coolest toys from the universe of the light and dark sides.
And if you happen to be seeing this the day it posts, the boys will be live on Twitch tonight with another sojourn into a particular star war – some come hang out!
So sith right back… ok, here we Grogu…
Full Episode
Hey Somethings!
So, this is an interesting topic, but one I enjoy talking about.
Years ago, when AOL Instant Messenger was a thing, a friend of mine and I were watching the Winter Olympics on TV and chatting about it through IMs. We were watching curling, and had no idea what was going on, how it was scored, or anything. So we did some sleuthing…. and, while we were sleuthing, my friend stumbled across some interesting information…
Friend : “Hey, did you know there’s a curling place like… 20 minutes from both of us?”
Me : “No shit?”
Friend : “Yeah, it’s $50 for three two-hour lessons, and if you join their club.. like.. their Curling Elk’s Lodge… they take that $50 off the yearly membership”
Me : “$50? I’ve spent more than that on far dumber stuff…. ”
And a plan was born.
We arrived at the building in Central NJ (Yes, Central New Jersey exists. No, I will not argue this point. No, you are wrong if you suggest otherwise) and are immediately greeted by an interesting cast of characters. Short, tall, skinny, not…skinny, business cut look and ‘lived in the woods and lived off roadkill’ look… one thing was for sure, there’s no such thing as a ‘standard look’ for a curler.
They were amazingly friendly, and when we told them we had found them online and wanted to take the lessons, they said absolutely, but, we have one question “Why curling?”
Friend : “Well, we were watching it on the Olympics and were curious about the rules, scoring, play style and such and saw that you had lessons… so we figured.. .why not?”
Me : “There’s two ways I’m getting to the Olympics. Curling, or buying a ticket”
Luckily for us, both of those answers were acceptable.
They ran us through the rules for scoring and the rules for playing.
They impressed upon us 2 VERY important rules to start.
Rule 1 – Never step onto the ice with your “slider” foot first (as opposed to your “gripper” foot which has the traction)
Rule 2 – Always take your keys and phone out of your pockets before playing.. because you will forget Rule 1.
For scoring, the large ‘targets’ on each end of the ice (called “The Sheet”) is called “The House”, the center of which is “The Button”. Each team throws (slides) a total of 8 rocks. The team with the rock(s) closest to The Button gets 1 point for each rock that is closer to The Button than the opponent’s closest rock…. cool, so like, shuffleboard mixed with bocci. Got it. The thrower pushes off from The Hack and slides forward, releasing the rock before the Hog Line (think, Blue Line in hockey). The sweepers can control the speed of the rock, as it reduces the friction in front of it. What we didn’t know, was the bottom of the rocks aren’t smooth… they’re concave. Only a very thin lip actually contacts the ice. The ice isn’t smooth either. Before each match, they lightly spray deionized water on the ice to give it a dimpled texture. This texture, along with the bottom rim of the rock, and the slow rotation given to the rock upon release, is what ‘curls’ the rock… the speed of that curl and the distance it travels down the sheet, is aided by the sweepers, and those sweepers are guided by the thrower.
Now, each team has 4 members… 3 players and The Skip (team captain or “skipper”). It’s The Skip that will stand at the far end of the ice and let the thrower know where he wants to shoot for. Skip determines placement, one thrower throws, the other two sweep. When it’s the Skip’s turn to throw, the 3rd thrower will take the Skip’s place at the far end of the sheet for aiming help, but the Skip still tells him where to stand.
Each match is 8 to 10 “Ends” (think innings in baseball) and each End is over when each team has thrown all 8 rocks. The team that throws first is the team in the lead. The last rock (from the team behind) is called “The Hammer”…and advantageous rock to have as you can completely change the scoring for that End, but.. you only get that advantage by being behind so… it comes at a cost.
A tournament is called a Bonspiel, and, as is customary in curling, there is an overt amount of good sportsmanship. Good shots can be quietly hi-fived, bad shots are never mocked, and… at least in the rink we were at.. at the end of every match, the winners by the losers a round, and the losers reciprocate by buying the winners a round.
It was AMAZINGLY fun to play, and MUCH more of a workout than we had imagined. Our first lesson was all about balance. Second lesson the following week was form, and third lesson the week after was a mini-match of 4 ends. We had a blast. We forgot Rule 1 a handful of times and paid for it. We were sore for days, but man… it was fun.
We didn’t become members as the ‘local Bonspiel’ was in Canada, and we just couldn’t commit to taking the time to go there when needed to play, but, would I do the lessons again? In a heartbeat.
We’ve been with Wanda and the Vision for their whole journey, so it should be no surprise that we want to check up on them for the End.
Was this strange jump into a bubble worth the journey? Does the ending hold up? There’s only one way to know – and that’s by checking out The End – Wandavision
This episode was filmed before a live studio audience over on twitch.tv/somethingcast. Join us for our next party on May 4th, 8pm EST.
Ohhhhhkay, here we A-go-tha! …wow, that one was a reach…
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Before the post, let me please direct you to our [The Wheel] Vs: Robots episode, where you can help choose the fate of one team of robots as they try and crush the other. There is a poll, there is another segment in a future episode coming about it – it’s a good time and you should get in on it.
Now, to other things.
One of my go to ‘Hey, what am I putting on’ shows when I have no effort built within me to find something new to binge on or I’m not seeing anything screams out for me, is Mythbusters. I love Mythbusters. I did when it was on television and now, with it gone, I still keep track of what Adam Savage is doing on Youtube. They have molded me in ways I can’t even fathom, at the very least, in recognizing that engineering nerds (a subset I definitely put the Mythbusters in) are my kinds of people. So, while I was watching some random thing blow up – I decided to list a couple of my favorite Mythbusters episodes so you can see – if you missed this show somehow, you can jump to the good stuff to see if its your cup of explosion.
In no particular order:
ALCATRAZ ESCAPEI’m putting this one here because it tends to be everyone else’s favorite. I mean, it’s a great episode and it is one of the best they put together. Season 2, Episode 8 – challenging the question of how the Anglin brothers got away from (sean connery voice)Thehhh Rrock!(/sean) using raincoats shaped into a boat. Did they survive? The Anglin Brothers I mean… not the Mythbusters… the Mythbusters obviously survived.
GOLFBALL CARDoes a golfball fly because it has those weird pockmarks? It’s so weird, it turns out to be really enjoyable and ranks as one of my favorite stories that has an ending I didn’t expect. Taking the golfball, they attempt that same method on a car and the results are not only interesting, but hysterical looking.
THE DUCT TAPE EPISODESA bit of a cheat here, but there are like 5 duct tape episodes, and each of them is better than the last. It seemed like every season after the first duct tape show, they thought ‘wait, can we go bigger’ — and they do. From surviving on an island to crossing a damn canyon, the old nerd adage that duct tape holds the world together is shockingly accurate.
LEAD BALLOONAnother episode that usually hits the ‘best of’ lists’ – Lead balloon is a great one for a lot of reasons. The biggest being that the deeper they get into the science of what’s going on, the harder they try. You can see the palpable excitement in the team as they solve this puzzle in front of your eyes. Is it possible to fly an actual lead balloon? How big does it need to be? How the hell do you make a lead balloon anyway? Some episodes are great because of the big bang, some because of the weird results – this one, and my final one, are classics because the methodology is so on display and shows how experimentation gets you to unexpectedly fantastic results.
THE SEE-SAW SAGABy far, my favorite episode of the Mythbusters, and given it is one of the later season episodes, I wish they had gone back to this style of episode more. Both teams (Jamie & Adam / Tory & Kari & Grant) get together and do two parts of one huge myth, culminating in what can only be described as a Rube-Goldberg-esque puzzle of scale and impossibility. Did you enjoy the Mythbusters? What’s your go to comfort food for your brain? Sound off in all of the usual places and let us know!
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
WHEEL! OF! TOPICS!
That’s right Somethings, it’s time for everyone’s favorite piece of radio flair, The Wheel – filled with a whole bevy of options for the guys to answer over… this one – well, this one needs your help.
At the end of this episode you will have the chance to make a decision as to who won… and we will reveal the results on our next Wheel episode.
But first, you have to hear about two forces of robotic supremacy… the lines in the sand have been drawn and only one team will stand tall at the end. From films across the genre spectrum, what would YOUR robot team be?
After listening, not before – click here to make your vote!
Ok, here we bidibidibidibidigo!
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Hey all, PCR here.
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the MCU. Going all the way back to our Year 1 celebration we’ve talked about it, hypothesized about it, fawned over it and reviewed aspects of it. Today, I’m going to dive a bit deeper into the “why” I enjoy it so much, and some things they do that I’m not fond of.
First, the Infinity Gauntlet comic crossover is, by far, my favorite comic crossover. End of story. Was it perfect? No… most huge comic crossover events tend to start amazingly, then seem to have a hard time finding a way to finish, but it still struck a chord with me and has stuck with me since my comic-collecting days… so when Marvel teased at the end of Avengers that we were getting Thanos, I was in. I felt “there’s no WAY they would do Thanos and NOT do Infinity Gauntlet!” and I was pleased to be correct on that count.
One of the most amazing things in my opinion that the MCU gets right is casting. I have not found one instance of casting.. hero or villain.. that I’ve been against. Now, have I thought some were ‘meh’? Sure, but in those instances it’s more of a “I don’t hate it” and much less of a “They missed the boat..So and so would have been MUCH better!” (looking at Corey Stoll as Yellowjacket here and to a larger extent Anthony Mackie as Falcon). Those examples aside (I’ll get into the Mackie thing later), from hero to villain to supporting role, the casting in MCU movies and shows has been amazingly spot on.
Another thing I absolutely love about the MCU as a whole, is how they set precedent for future endeavors. “Ok, we got you to understand The Convergence and The Nine Realms? Good, here’s The Quantum realm and Dr. Strange” “You good with multiple suits of Iron Man armor flying around on their own? Awesome, here’s Ultron and his army” just to use two examples. It’s brilliant storytelling in my opinion, and makes it easier for those who aren’t huge comic fans to digest what they’ve been seeing on the screen.
Now, a “meh” thing for me… neither good nor bad… is that, much like the comics, you don’t HAVE to watch/read every movie/issue in order to understand what’s going on. Can it help? Sure, do you have to to understand the story? Not at all. That can be both good and bad. It’s good in a way that you don’t feel forced to sit through a movie you may not really be interested in, but bad in the respect that, it’s all about making money on the bottom line, so one would think there WOULD be some driving force behind making someone want to see all of them. Now, for two of my peeves. I’ll call it “loyalty to the source material”. Civil War was a great comic series (not Infinity Gauntlet great, and fell off with a much weaker finish, but still a great concept). The movie we got, while entertaining and giving us some great fan service in scenes, was not the story told in the comics. Now, I get it. It couldn’t be. Civil War comic run was a huge crossover event in and of itself. There’s no way to effectively condense that down into one movie…and I also know the MCU shouldn’t be a slave to the source material in a way that doesn’t allow for moving the MCU plot along. That being said, to me, there’s something about a movie using source material so loosely that it almost retcons and makes the original source material irrelevant. This isn’t just an MCU flaw, this is a movie flaw in general, but it’s one the MCU and Marvel doesn’t do better on. Is there a way for them to? I’m not sure, but it stands out to me nonetheless.
And finally, let’s talk about the Netflix shows.
Overall, I enjoyed them. Daredevil was spot on. Jessica Jones wasn’t my kind of show, but I found value in watching it. Luke Cage season 2 was far better than season 1. Iron Fist …well… was necessary for The Defenders to work (which, to me, it did) and Punisher was amazing.
None of them (to date) have ever been ‘shouted up’ to the greater MCU movieverse, and there’s an easy way they could have been in Infinity War.
The Snap.
When Thanos snaps, there could have been a montage scene (much like they had in the comic) of scenes from around the world of people disappearing. Imagine, Thanos snaps, and we cut to Hell’s Kitchen and see Matt talking to Foggy and Foggy dusts… Jessica and Trish both dust mid conversation…Luke watching people in Harlem suddenly dust away… it could have taken them… 2-3 minutes of movie time to intersperse something like that, and it would have paid the TV shows respect for carrying on the MCU torch in other media.
That’s it for me for now, Hatton’s up next week!
– PCR
Yarr yo ho ho and a bottle of Something not so brutally alcoholic (see: The Booze Episode)
Wellllcome back everyone – and it is time for the Somethings to set sail on the seven seas as we go on a voyage to review Netflix’s The Lost Pirate Kingdom. Do the boys hoist the jolly roger and go pillaging across the Atlantic? Or are they scurvy lilly-livered scalliwags who don’t know their port from their starboard? Well, get yourself on board and join us as we take a look at this docuseries.
Was it good? Was it accurate? How much syphilis can one documentary feature? Find out here and now on Something In Review: Lost Pirate Kingdom
Ok, here we Yo Ho Ho!!
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Heya Somethings!
If you haven’t followed along the last few months, we’ve talked a lot about the MCU’s TV outing WandaVision – and for good reason.. whether you dug it or not, it was a fresh take on a story that really felt beyond the scope of what DizMarv would try and pull off. The concept of the show isn’t precisely a straight from comics series, but it does take some points from the comic and the on-again off-again low bubble story of the Scarlet Witch’s tragedies. The on-again / off-again aspect is very much because comic writers sometimes pick up a character where they want them to be and another character sees where they should be differently, so you end up with disparate versions of the same character… but since it’s comics, it’s usually begrudgingly accepted.
That said – Wanda is, quite literally, my least favorite Avenger… and it is mostly because her power set is so vaguely ‘chaos magic/hex powers/mutant ability/reality warping/etc’ that she has become the go-to on how to get into a bad situation or out of one. So why don’t we take a look at the reason the Scarlet Witch has the power to disassemble how much great stuff the MCU has done…
First – let’s take a look at Wanda in the early years of Avengers…
Using her mutant ‘Hex Power’ she basically had telekinesis that only worked half the time. If the villain was too strong, too not-human enough, too aware, too magic, or too advanced.. there was a lot of this sort of ‘OH IF ONLY…’ But from this issue above (Avengers #99, 1972) to this panel from (West Coast Avengers, #56, 1989) she has fallen in love with Vision, he’s been taken apart by the government and replaced with an emotional white husk of his former self (sound familiar) and has been corrupted by an evil something er another…
And just like that – Wanda’s powerset has grown exponentially and is never reined in again. It just continues to morph and grow and get bigger and dumber and more unwieldly. All the while she ends up being the go-to damsel in countless stories. Wanda’s been brainwiped. Wanda’s in a coma. Wanda’s been kidnapped. Brainwiped again. She gets over the Vision. She’s not over the Vision. She has moved on to become a better person. She can’t handle the Avengers. Just non-stop using her as a foil and a victim and a catalyst when honestly, all she really needs is some good head meds and a shrink.
Then….. in the 2000’s – literal hundreds of comics later.. she becomes enraged about her kids and takes down the Avengers. She’s locked up and the Marvel heroes are legitimately contemplating killing her. Yes, there’s a lot of handwringing and ‘we can’t do that’ talk, but the fact is – the idea pops up and is considered… so when Xavier and her comic dad, Magneto, show up at her cell. She does this:
She creates an entire reality where mutants never existed and her dad is the king and everyone is happy. (House of M) — When we break out of that alternate world, no more mutants are being born… like she literally altered the DNA of the world. All the while she continues to disappear for a while, come back and be forgiven, or atone, or have her powers changed yet again — the cycle continues on. When there is an unstoppable unbeatable villain? Who do writers call on… whatever version of Wanda is useful for them. No reason to explain it – just call it ‘Untapped Remarkable Powers’ and it’ll do just fine. When Wanda can’t do it.. just have someone photocopy Wanda’s powers so DOUBLE WANDA can do it. (Avengers v. X-Men #12, below)
I’m thrilled that Wandavision was so good. I just hope that the movie writers don’t fall into the same pit that the comic writers have for years – that by not defining the Scarlet Witch, you leave her available as a crutch to lean on whenever you didn’t have a better ending in mind.
The Somethings are adults, at least legally speaking, and on occasion – being adults – we have enjoyed ourselves the occasional adult beverage… occasionally..
So, with that – what are some of the Somethings favorite drinks to be had? That was the intention of the episode, but what follows is going tit for tat with some of the drunken exploits of Hatton and Rob.
So why not get yourself a delicious scorpion bowl with only one straw and imbibe this week’s 120 proof episode of the SomethingSomethingcast
Ok, here we brew!
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Hey Somethings!
This week, I want to dive into a part of one of my all-time favorite film franchises… James Bond.
Bond films have set a high bar for fight scenes, chase scenes, cinematic excellence, and, what I’ll touch on this week… stunts. So join me as I run through my top 3 favorite stunts in James Bond Movies!
3 – Corkscrew Car
In “The Man With The Golden Gun”, we get a comical sequence where Bond ‘reunites’ with a character from a former movie, J. W. Pepper. As the duo chases Scaramanga, they come across a broken bridge over a river. Flooring it, Bond drives his red AMC Hornet X Hatchback at the broken bridge, which corkscrews the car through midair, landing safely on the other side. It was stuntman Loren “Bumps” Willert’s first time doing the stunt, and he pulled it off in one take. (Check it out here)
2 – Boat Jump
“Live and Let Die” was Roger Moore’s first Bond film, and the first time he encounters Sheriff J. W. Pepper. In this scene, Bond is being chased by Kananga’s men through the bayous of Louisiana. Running out of water, Bond races his boat at an embankment alongside a highway where Pepper and his men are waiting for him. Hitting the embankment, Bond’s boat sails over 100 feet in the air before landing in the water on the other side of the highway. (Check it out here)
1 – Dam Jump
“Goldeneye” marks Bond’s first return to the screen after a 6 year hiatus, and the first time Pierce Brosnan takes up the title role. In the pre-title scene, we see Bond running along the top of the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland. In a wide, panoramic shot, after securing a cable, Bond dives off the top of the dam in a makeshift bungee escape. The leap set a world record for stuntman Wayne Michaels, which was done in one take. The scenery, the epicness of the cinematography, and the fact the jump was done in silence just emphasizes the immensity of it all, and puts this stunt at the top of my list. (Check it out here)
Normally months only have 4 Tuesdays – that’s sort of what we base our schedule on. You get a regular episode, a Wheel episode, a Review episode, and then an End episode… so what are we supposed to do when there is 5 in a month?!
Well if you have been listening to us for the long haul, you know the answer is ‘whatever the hell we want’
It’s time for a Something Free-For-All — which of course means PCR and Hatton pop on and just talk about what’s up. No big answers revealed, no mysteries solved, simply the guys you listen to talk every week – talking about what they’re up to. Does it sound exciting — oh, it should.
Ok, here we go!
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Let’s discuss some nostalgia porn, as it isn’t all created equal. First, let me mention Meddling Kids which is a novel I read last year that blew me away. A group of twenty-somethings that bear a remarkable similarity to a group of teenage detective sleuths and their snack-hungry dog have all grown up and are dealing with the PTSD of the things they saw as kids. From being faced with murder to the supernatural, they have grown-up like the kids from It have – repressing everything.
The nostalgia in Meddling Kids is biting and funny and a new take on tropes as the not-Scooby Gang bump into Lovecraftian Lore, it analyzes not simply what the characters would be like if they actually had to deal with fantastical Hanna-Barbara cartoon mysteries, but talks about the relationships of these people. Why is the book smart nerd friends with the stoner and the ‘nice guy’. It takes its premise through brutality and emotional turmoil and makes these fictional kids feel like they could fit in a real-ish world. It stunned me, and I highly recommend it.
Now, let’s discuss the other side of nostalgia porn, and the reason I picked this topic to talk about. I enjoyed Ready Player One, the book. I caught it early on the hype train and it tickles quite a few of my weird sub-sub-genre’s of stories. It hits on ‘movies as game’ like It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Midnight Madness, and Jumanji. It features one of my particular eras of nerddom that doesn’t get a lot of notice, 1980s computer culture – and mixes it with science fiction, comics, Brat Pack pop culture, and a thousand other things that were the bread and butter of my pre-teen youth. There was one thing that stuck in my craw about it though, and that was we are watching a ‘day after the day after tomorrow’ type world and the creators of said world seem obsessed with this era of culture. Now don’t get me wrong, I do understand that this is a love letter to that era, but in a book about video games with the grand master video game makers of all time.. you would think they also liked things a bit more ambitious than NETHACK. All of that said – I enjoyed RP1. I thought it was cute and fun and itched the popcorny itches it was designed to itch, even though it is not without its flaws…. unlike its sequel….
You see, Ready Player Two is now out and it has given up on everything that even remotely made RP1 enjoyable and doubled down on the thing that made it annoying. Yes, there’s another fetch quest. Yes, the band gets back together. Yes, the stakes are raised… and it is because of those things that everything else falls off a cliff. Without delving too deeply into spoiler territory, RP2 puts lives at stake. It isn’t about an evil corporation and a young plucky hero… it’s about millions of lives in peril and our, now infinitely rich and yet somehow still remarkably naive, hero – with his encyclopedic knowledge of everything his idols have ever done, spends literal chapters spilling about movies and music. He goes into explicit detail about the life of John Hughes and into deep Tolkien ephemera. He whines about his lack of romance and realizes all of the mistakes he’s made and the missteps he’s taken (none of which that we get to see, mind you) — all while telling us about the trees on Chewbacca’s home planet. There are millions of lives depending on his journey and he can’t help but idly giggle like a schoolgirl because he sees a computer generated Juliette Lewis — a Juliette Lewis that he literally could have delivered to his virtual bedroom and programmed to ride his Natural Born Killer from Dusk Til Dawn.
Nostalgia porn has its place to make a story taste the way it’s supposed to taste, like one of my all time favorite movies, Super 8 or something as charming as La La Land… but when your narrative only serves to plate nostalgia instead of tell a good story dressed in it — all I want to do is go find a new story that doesn’t need to tell me all of the stories that it relies on.
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
It’s Lord of the Flies in space.. or at least that’s the way it starts.
By the end we have factions fighting factions, a semi-omniscient judge deciding the fate of humanity, the weakest excuse to ever make an ending “appear” happy… but is it?
We’re talking about Space Romance In Space – The 100! Find out if the CW knocks it out of this world or grounds it down like a frakkin toaster… on THE END: THE 100
Ok here we all go.. and go.. and go.. and go.. and go.. and imagine 95 more of those…
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Hey hey Somethings! PCR here, and today I’m listing out my “Top 5 Favorite Swords”! These could be from movies, TV, Comics, Video Games… not limiting myself here. I am also grouping “Lightsabers” as an honorable mention as a whole.
On to the list in no particular order!
5 – D’Artagnan’s/Top Dollar’s/Inigo Montoya’s RapierWhile not the same prop, they all have an amazingly similar style and look to them. The large, swept-hilted basket hilt is very distinctive and back in my Ren-Faire days, it was my favorite kind of weapon to wield.
4 – Highlander’s Ivory KatanaWhile there should have been only one (movie), this sword quickly became iconic. I know when that movie came out, if you picked up any katana, you were immediately acting out one of the many scenes from “Highlander”
3 – Vanth Dreadstar’s SwordThe title character from First Comic’s “Dreadstar”, Vanth’s weapon was more than just a sword, it was a part of him. Made of energy, he could manifest the sword as a weapon of unbelievable power, or he could absorb it into himself to become nigh invulnerable.
2 – The Bride’s KatanaForged by legendary swordsmith Hattori Hanzo from 1000 layered Japanese steel, this sword was able to dispatch the Crazy 88, O-Ren Ishii, and undoubtedly been able to, as Hanzo stated when presenting it to her… cut God himself.
1 – Sword of OmensAble to grant “sight beyond sight”, Lion-O’s sword.. containing the Eye of Thundera was more than just a mere sword. Nearly a sentient being in it’s own right, The Sword of Omens was instrumental in defeating Mumm-Ra on many occasions, as well as summoning the ThunderCats to Lion-O’s side when needed.
Honorable mentions:
- Lightsabers
- Kurgan’s Sword
- Excalibur
We’ve all thought about that big moment where we could change the world.
Sure, some of us want to be supervillains.. I mean.. some of you.. ahem, but if you had this perfect moment to stick it to the man and nobody would be harmed – would you do it?
What if it made you one of the most wanted men in the world?
Well the Somethings are going to talk about a man who did just that. Nobody knows who he is, nobody knows if he survived, nobody knows what happened to the money…. we’re of course talking about the Mystery of DB Cooper. So settle in, get you and the flight crew a martini, set your seats back and your tray up – It’s takeoff on The Wheel: DB COOPER
Okay here we go!
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In the last two or three months, I’ve started going back to X-Men. You have to understand, there was a time where I drank down everything ‘X’, and when I needed new furniture, I was able to put my mattress on the longboxes I had so many filled with Charles Xavier’s team of racial allegory.
Now, I will admit, I am not currently brought up to speed… I stopped reading what I previously had said was a couple of years ago, but honestly is almost coming up on a decade. Somewhere shortly after Hope Summers saved the world I got super busy and life happened and comics just fell to the wayside. I’ve found during our current Under-The-Dome sheik lifestyle, comics and logic puzzles have helped me caulk up the boring minutes.
So to celebrate that, here are my three favorite X-Men and why!
#3 – JAMIE MADROXOh yes, the Multiple Man, the only comic book character that shares my name. Maddrox, for a long time, just felt like ‘another tough do-gooder’ in his younger years, but after Peter David took back X-Factor and we got ‘Multiple Man, Private Dick’ and the much more traditional soap opera of David’s runs, Jamie really came into his own as a complicated and, in many ways, man broken into hundreds of pieces. He’s layered and at times completely wrong in his choices… but that’s what makes good character.
#2 – ROGUE & GAMBITThe middle spot here is a bit of a revolving door of characters. I always love Maddrox, and #1 is kind of a non-shocker if you know anything about me… but this middle spot really could be taken up by ‘whomever I am really loving right now’. It’s been Blink, it’s been Colossus, it’s been Maggott (oh yes, you read that right). But Rogue and Gambit, at their best, are a fantastically brutal story about the things you can’t have and the toxicity of relationships. Some writers have done them well, other writers have been complete garbage to them and can’t help but treat them like a ‘forbidden fruit’ trope.
When they’re good, they’re great, though – and in my trawling through the X-verse, I have been keeping an eye on where they end up. Sadly, with the way comic books work, their world will never be perfect, and if it feels that it is, it won’t be for long. He’s too broken and she’s too uncomfortable with who she is and there will never be a writer that wants you to feel that they are an ideal that has been achieved when there is so much more gristle on the bone in their dysfunction.
#1 – EMMA FROSTAre you surprised? If you know anything about me, you shouldn’t be. Emma has been one of my favorite characters since Generation X and, honestly, probably before that (but I’ll blame that on teenage me seeing a woman clad in white lingerie and thinking that was the cat’s pajamas. The truth is, Emma, when done correctly, is a tragically beautiful character. From her Hellions being brutalized to her making amends and being the teacher for the next generation of mutants. Followed up by being Cyclops’s therapeutic ‘other woman’. She is cold and calculating, brutal and unforgiving, and that’s even after you get to know her. The emotions of Emma and the feelings beneath her coldness has been attempted to be explored in an individual series and many many flashbacks that all don’t seem to make much sense when you blend them together, but the heart of her character is true – it is easier to be cold, than hurt…
At her best, she doesn’t care about what’s best for the ‘Dream of Mutants’ and she doesn’t care what’s the best legal choice. Emma does what’s best for those she has placed beneath her, the kids that are using her as her template. Every story that includes some concept of ‘will Emma be evil?’ doesn’t get Emma at all (I’m looking at you Whedon) and where I loathe her secondary mutation as it feels a tad to ‘on the money’ – when Emma wants something, you’re doing what Emma wants which is the fear everyone has about the Psi-Level-Mutants because if she wanted to, she could rule the world and you wouldn’t even know she was doing it.
So what about you – who’s your favorite X? Who am I completely wrong about? I’ll tell you right now.. I will happily write more X Reviews if you want, as it’s how I cut my teeth as an internet presence and I do miss it sometimes. See you next time.
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
We are back, and this episode was recorded live before an internet audience over on Twitch.
Do you dig murder? I mean… not like that… but do you find yourself mindlessly addicted to documentaries about the horrible things that horrible people do to people?
Yeah, look, we all do. That said, there is a new one on Netflix, but the results aren’t precisely what you think they are. The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel takes a police procedural documentary and turns it on its ear with the focus moving from the important facts of the case and sliding on over to an entirely different topic.
Is it good? Is it worth it? We have opinions…. oh boy, do we. And once you are done, be certain to check out Hatton’s article on Vocal.Media
Okaaaay here we go!
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Hey all you Somethings!
We haven’t talked much Music lately, and we’re always looking to give listeners an insight into what makes us “Us”, so I’ve compiled a list of 10 albums that, as a catalogue, speak volumes as to the person I am. In no particular order….
10 – Eat ‘Em and Smile – David Lee Roth. The year was 1986, and an impressionable PCR was just entering High School. Between Yankee Rose (with Steve Vai’s ‘talking guitar’, and the frequency of the video on MTV), Shy Boy, Tobacco Road and I’m Just a Gigolo.. this album quickly became one of the soundtracks of my High School years.
9 – Passion and Warfare – Steve Vai. A second shout out on this list to Steve Vai. Up until now, my musical interests had been rather… vanilla? Commercial? Mainstream? Whatever the word, 1990 hit and this album caught my eyes and ears. Liberty, Erotic Nightmares, The Audience Is Listening and The Animal spoke to ‘college Rob’ in ways other primarily instrumental music hadn’t.
8 – Raising Hell – Run DMC. I remember recording the Raising Hell concert off WBLS when they aired it live (Fun Fact : Beastie Boys opened for them. More on that later). Full transparency, I love EVERY Run DMC album, but this is the one that started that love for me.
7 – Disney’s Robin Hood Album – Various. I had this on vinyl. I listened to it endlessly. I can still quote 90% of the movie word for word in the accents. Fight me.
6 – License To Ill – Beastie Boys. The ‘sampling’ issue had been around for a while, but when License came out I was old enough to understand it. Sampling from Led Zeppelin for Rhymin’ and Stealin’ felt almost like… well… stealin’, but the beats they dropped for other songs such as She’s Crafty, No Sleep Till Brooklyn, and the rap/rock of Fight For Your Right. turned me in to a longtime fan.
5 – BomBARDed – The Library Bards. The story of how we met Bonnie and Xander has been told before, but meeting them in person was one of the best things this show has ever done, and we were happy to support both of their albums, the newest of which is BomBARDed which can be found at https://librarybards.bandcamp.com/
4 – Running With Scissors – ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic. Much like Run DMC, I love ALL of Al’s albums, but for my money, this is probably my favorite in no small part to seeing him live and watching him do The Saga Begins and All About the Pentiums live. The man is an unstoppable force when performing live and it remains one of my top concerts ever.
3 – Appetite For Destruction – Guns n’ Roses. Not a bad song on the entire album. My current workout jam.
2 – Un-Led-Ed – Dread Zeppelin. Take a reggae band that does Led Zeppelin covers and give it an Elvis impersonator as a lead singer and you have this bit of genius. First introduced to this band when it was background music at a party I was at, my brain kept saying “I know this song… but not… THIS.. song…”. Once I was able to focus, I was hooked. Seeing them live (with Mojo Nixon and the Toadliquors) was hilarious.
1 – Sunshine On Leith – The Proclaimers. This album was unexpected. Originally purchased for one song and one song only (I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)) the rest of this album I absolutely adored. From Cap In Hand, My Old Friend The Blues and Sunshine On Leith showing off their soulful side, to Then I Met You and Oh, Jean being more raucous and rambunctious, this album is still a go to for me on long road trips.
Honorable Mentions.
Music From The Elder – KISS. My favorite album from one of my favorite bands.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles. My top Beatles album.
Disraeli Gears – Cream. For my money, the definitive Cream album.
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
Were you aware that it is Women’s History Month?
Well it is, and to celebrate that the way the Somethings do.. we are talking about our favorite badass women from movies! Now, of course, you are already concocting a list in your head of your favorites, and I assure you – some of them are mentioned – but we also are diving into some of our favorites from movies you might have missed! Oh, and they aren’t all heroes, to be certain…
So if you are ready for some ass-kicking ladies, some gun-toting gals, some name-takin’ dames – settle in and get ready because we’re ready to rock.
And one last time, we would like to thank Quixotic Games for sponsoring these last few episodes. You have one more chance to get your copies of Core Worlds: Empires & Nemesis as they accept late pledges for their successful Kickstarter campaign! Don’t miss your window, the offer will only be open while supplies last.
Ok, here she goes!
Full Episode
How many movies have you seen the past year? If you are anything like good ol’ Hatton here, you have probably seen a lot. I have been getting annoyed with myself at just how many damned movies I’ve digested in the last year because.. honestly, why the hell shouldn’t I? I’ve found in recent months that it is harder to settle in to a television show (although I most certainly have), but I can convince myself to give up 2 hours to movies about almost anything. So here are a few of the movies I’ve watched that I’ve loved, and also a couple that I’ve hated. If you have any interest you can read my shorter reviews on these and every movie I watch over on Letterboxd (which is basically like GoodReads, but for movies (which is basically Raveller, but with books (which is basically … ok, I’ve run out, but about yarn).
The Good
SOUL – Yeah, there was no way that Pixar’s journey into the afterlife, what it means to live, the soul, and jazz wasn’t going to make a list of movies I enjoyed. It’s just rich in color and tone, it makes the music feel like a living and breathing character while the performances of Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey are so emotional in both the good and the bad, I would believe that they are best friends outside of work. I also would watch that talk show. Anyway, Soul is beautiful and the music, from a genre that I don’t usually have anything to say, makes the world live.
VFW – In the ‘weird subgenre’ tropes that exist out there, the ‘a group have to defend their place from evil’ is one you don’t hear a lot from. Things like Breakin‘ 2 or Revenge of the Nerds, obviously 1980’s fair and Home Alone being the most famous. (I do hope you are now sitting there and trying to find the connection between those 3 movies, and I assure you.. it’s there. They’re movies about a group of like-minded people defending a THING, a PLACE, an IDEA from evil. Well, in VFW it’s a bunch of veterans defending their watering hole from evil drugged out punks. It’s an action movie riot – and stars so many actors you know from that action movie thing they did that time. The film looks dated, the locales look old… this movie could be from 1993 Cinemax and you wouldn’t know the damned difference. It’s brilliant.
SPONTANEOUS – This is, by far, the best movie I’ve seen in a long time. Part of that, I’m sure, is because I wasn’t expecting it. The premise is that there are kids in a high school that occasionally blow up, so the rest of the class has to deal with it. It sounded like it was going to be a perfect little silly horror comedy, but it isn’t what I got. It is a movie with humor that actually made me laugh out loud, and the emotional weight of a Heathers or a Pump Up The Volume. The movie is a breakdown of the modern teenage experience in ways I can’t empathize, but I certainly can sympathize. If you go look up one thing on this blog post today – This should be the one.
THE BAD
GIRLS WITH BALLS – A weird French Canadian film about a volleyball team fighting deliverance style backwoods types that turn out to be a cult? I mean, it isn’t the worst premise in the world… sadly, the movie it got is just a series of scenes that may have had plots, but somehow they don’t now. The same 5 bad guys dying over and over again due to, I am sure, budget reasons. Moments of suspense ruined by these girls yelling at each other over their status in the team, but the comedy being ruined by not having a punchline. This movie fails at fundamentally everything, it doesn’t even fit the mark for a ‘so bad its good’ because it knows its bad… so there is intent, which makes it even dumber. The poster is actually much cooler than the movie
STARFISH – The world is ending and this girl may or may not have the answer to fix it? I mean, that feels like a good slug line for a reasonable film… but this movie just.. walks around. Takes a nap. Reads a book. Feeds the fish. Ignores the monster outside. Doesn’t tell you much about what’s going on. Takes another nap. Ends. Seriously, won’t lie, that’s pretty much the whole thing. The worst kind of ‘horror as art’ and ‘I don’t have to explain it to you, Warren…
30 MILES FROM NOWHERE – A bunch of 30 – 40 somethings all meet in the woods after one of their own’s funeral. I actually am most disappointed by this one, as I find the premise is wonderful. It is the sort of premise you hear about a great play… there is a history the viewer isn’t aware of, tensions we can’t see, there is so much that could be happening before the story even starts that it is rife with things to reveal — but 30 Miles just starts the film with everyone acting nice, but hating each other. It is less ‘Friends reconnected’ and more ‘We have to do this’ – which would be fine, that is a reasonable direction, but none of them respond to anything reasonably. They just do dumb plot-pushing things and yell at each other!
That’s that! A few movies to tide you over until we’re allowed outside – I mean, even the bad ones take up time… it’s an angry, want to crush and destroy, time.. but it’s time.
So what have you seen during the world of lockdown? What great or horrible thing had you previously missed? Let us know!
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
A group of people, connected.. somehow.. for some reason.
They can see what the others see, they can take control when it’s time to, and when one feels pain… they all feel pain.
Part Wachowski FeverDream, part JM Straczynski longform storytelling – gone before it told its story its own way…. we’re talking about Sense 8. What did the boys think about the movie-length finale that was only done to sate the rabid fanbase? Find out on an episode that spans 3 continents.. on The End: Sense 8
Ok here we all go!
Full Episode
Hey Somethings!
Been playing a fair amount of Freddy on Dead By Daylight lately, and that got me thinking about the “Nightmare” franchise, so here’s my take on ranking all nine movies from worst to best!
9 – Freddy’s Dead : The Final NightmareThis movie was trash. Most of their plots and ‘revelations’ were lifted from other movies that the viewer had known for a while (Wait… you can PULL FREDDY OUT OF A DREAM?!?!?…) which made things very boring for me, and the times they tried to be original (Freddy having a daughter.. his power coming from ‘Dream Demons’…) were so schlocky that this movie easily falls to the bottom of the list.
8 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge
Regardless of the possible ‘subtext’ of this movie… it was a huge downgrade from the original with lackluster acting, cheesy visuals, and ZERO memorable scenes. The lack of memorable scenes gives it JUST enough of a boost over the AMAZINGLY memorable(ly bad) Final Nightmare to have this one clock in at number 8.
Good, bad, I’m
the one with the
knives…
7 – A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010 Remake)
Rebooting a beloved franchise that had fallen off in recent years? Casting Jackie Earl Haley (who was amazing as Rorschach in ‘Watchmen’) as Freddy? I’m in! At least… I wanted to be in. It felt like a college film project based on the original. Visually it was close (although, I wasn’t a fan of Freddy’s ‘new’ look), but it lacked the heart and… dare I say charm.. .of the original. All in all, the title was accurate, though not in the way that was intended.
6 – Freddy VS Jason
It was a bold move to even attempt this movie as it had the potential to ruin two different, beloved horror franchises…however, out of all the matchups that could have been made… the ‘immovable object’ of Jason paired up with the wise-cracking Freddy was the perfect match. While the ending was to be expected, it was a valid homage to both fan bases and well done.
5 – Wes Craven’s New Nightmare
This movie is underrated. Arriving 3 years after ‘The end of the franchise’, I love the metaness of it. I love seeing the principle cast back. While it’s the poorest performing movie of the lot, and falls a bit outside of the continuity of the franchise, it was an amazingly bold direction to go in and I applaud the choice.
4 – A Nightmare on Elm Street : The Dream Child
The wrap up of the ‘middle trilogy’, “The Dream Child” uses Alice’s unborn baby’s dreams to fuel Freddy’s ability and was the poorest performing of said trilogy. The gas was starting to run out of the series, which lead to the inevitable “Final Nightmare” debacle.
3 – A Nightmare on Elm Street : The Dream Master
This was the mid point of the “Dream….” trilogy and it effectively put Renny Harlan on the map. Pulling in nearly $50 mil on a $6.5 mil budget, it was the highest grossing film of the series in the U.S. until Freddy VS Jason came out… even with Patricia Arquette’s role recast to Tuesday Knight.
Plus, that song…
2 – A Nightmare on Elm Street : Dream Warriors
Spots 2 and 1 are close enough for me to almost be interchangeable… (almost). With a great cast (Langenkamp, Arquette, Fishburn…) it revitalized the franchise after the dismal “Freddy’s Revenge” and really drove the series for the next two films. Had this movie tanked, it easily could have relegated “Nightmare” movies to late-Saturday-night-schlockfests until it died with a whimper. Instead, it lit a fire in the fandom and shifted the series from straight horror/slasher to more Horror/SciFi/Fantasy which was a wise choice.
And the number one is!
1 – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
This is the one that started it all, and therefore deserves top spot on the list. With an original concept for a slasher/killer and amazing practical effects, this movie put not only Freddy, but Langenkamp and a young Johnny Depp on viewer’s radar. Without the impact this movie had, none of the others would have been made, and therefore takes its rightful spot at the top of my list.
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
It’s time for another adventure with the WHEEL!
With a myriad of topics and journeys for the Somethings to go on, what is it this week? Well the answer is right there in the title, but you should still act surprised.
From WandaVision to Dr. Strange, the Young Avengers, X-Men, and all of the movies pushed back – we are going to talk about what might be coming next for the House of Ideas.
Don’t forget to check out our friends at Quixotic Games brand new Kickstarter for the CORE WORLDS sequel and its expansion. CORE WORLDS: EMPIRES and NEMESIS that are not only live, but almost to goal!
Ok, here we Mephisgo!
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We’re on a mission from God…
..not him though…
…that’s Kurt Fuller.
Have you listened to our recent episode about Cobra Kai & Evil? Well, if you haven’t – take a minute – go listen now… I’ll wait.
Now that you’re caught up – since that episode, I’ve binged down Evil and figured it seems only right to discuss it. (And I challenge my podcasting partner to do the same with a certain karate oriented program)
The only information I had walking in was what Rob had told me – the show was about a man of faith trying to debunk exorcisms with a tech and a shrink on his side. The premise felt like the type of show I would dig, add in that there are lengthy background mysteries going on the whole way through and a villain in Ben Linus—- I mean Michael Emerson, it was an easy sell.
So, with all that, was it worth the time and effort – and the answer is a yes, but not without qualifications.
Both Mike Colter, playing David Acosta and Katja Herbers, playing Kristen Bouchard are three-dimensional characters who spend the season fighting demons (internal, external, and imagined) and come across as three-dimensional layeredand conflicted people. To round out their trio is Ben Shakir, as performed by former Daily Show alum Aasif Mandvi, the skeptic tech expert who is enjoyable to watch, even though out of the three, his character feels the most stereotypical.
One of the main factors the show wants you to question throughout is ‘what is real and what is supernatural’ – is this person possessed or do they have an identity disorder? Is that person pulling secrets from the aether or is someone being stalked? That, it does well. Even weird creepy things from the first half of the show get more concrete answers later. To the point where it lulls you into a false sense of security when you see something that you are certain must be supernatural.
No man is an island… The only problem the show suffers from is one that a lot of shows do – and that is the ‘nothing is normal’ issue. It’s a minor gripe, but its one that never ceases to be notable. A perfect example is an episode near the end of the season where David is invited to a woman’s house because she is having a crisis of faith. It also just so happens that she has a man chained up in her basement for offenses he may or may not have committed. Why was David called? Why would she invite David over? Can’t David just go to someone’s house and tell them about his Lord and Savior and provide them a bounty of pamphlets and associated literatures?
A lot of that is simply the buffalo of television – nary a minute can be spent not developing a plot lest they lose our attentions which is reasonable. It wouldn’t be an interesting episode if he just so happened to visit a an old friend, they talked about their favorite episode of Friends and there was no possible demon infestation… but when the weird shit is the only thing you see, it makes it feel like these characters just stumble place to place and every portion of their life is an interconnected plot of intrigue.
I will give it this though – the last ten minutes of its first season makes you re-evaluate what you’ve just watched. Not in a ‘Fight Club’ way, but in a ‘Oh, this is a story about Sam Gamgee’ sort of way. It makes you look at one particular character’s journey in a new light… and also makes you wonder what Baphomet charges for in-patient office visits. (When you watch the show, that will make you laugh..)
So was Rob right? Is Evil a show for me? The answer is yes. I’m not riveted, but I’m enjoying it. It’s a show that teeters on the edge of too much. The villain is too smart and gets what he wants too easily. The ramifications of actions are brushed aside when they’re not necessary… but it is telling an interesting story, and that’s all that really matters.
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
Why review two things when there are two of us, am I right? You see, there is a lot of television going on right now. If we were allowed to go places with water coolers, I don’t know how any work would get done with all the chatter about what we saw last night…
With that in mind, the Somethings were live on Twitch and reviewed not just one show, but two. One is about a team fighting evil at every turn, and the other is Evil! So hang with Hatton and Rob as we breakdown two shows that have gotten us through at least a little of our lockdown.
And don’t forget to jump on the Core Worlds Kickstarter, going on right now!
Full Episode
I love me some movies. I also love me some well filmed movies. Even better? Movies that have scenes that just, for one reason or another, stick with you for years after you watch them. With that in mind, here’s some of mine.
Immediately hired by White Wolf
Near Dark
End Chase. Near Dark is a great vampire movie, and while there are a number of good scenes in it, the image of Jesse and Diamondback in the station wagon, huddled under blankets to block the sun, smiling as they smoulder and start to catch fire as they try to run over Caleb is just a great visual scene.
Bound
Cesar’s Death. Bound is another movie that is chock-full of great scenes, but the best one for me is Cesar’s death. The top-down camera angle as it pulls back and we see Cesar, his blood pooling into the large puddle of white paint, then pulling back further and the white paint puddle framed by the dark floor… the way it was filmed, the contrast… it reminds me of the scene in The Untouchables after Capone killed that guy with a bat at the banquet table, just some great cinematography.
Welcome… to the Rock
Men With Brooms
“The Juggernaut’s Entrance”. Years ago, after seeing curling for the first time on the Olympics, a friend of mine and I found a place in NJ and took lessons. It was there we learned about a fun little movie called ‘Men With Brooms’. If you’ve played curling or are familiar with it, this movie is great, and the cast is pretty impressive. The scene I loved the most was when Alexander “The Juggernaut” Yount and his squad enter the bonspiel in matching silver lamé tracksuits with cheerleaders and pyro going off at the entrance. The fact that curling in and of itself is such a subdued/great sportsmanship sport made their entrance scene completely hilarious.
28 Days Later
Deserted London. I know you’ve probably seen this movie, but I had to include it for the scenes of deserted London. It wasn’t a huge scene to be honest, established to get the point across of how empty everything was… but the scenes of London Bridge… just… EMPTY… it hit on a scale of not only what kind of undertaking it was to get that scene filmed, but how absolutely terrifying it would be to be in that position of being there and just… being completely alone.
…I don’t think this is the right image…
Ghost Dog
Sidewalk scene. This is a visually amazing movie from Jim Jarmusch with Forest Whitaker in the lead. There’s a scene in the movie where he’s walking down a fairly busy sidewalk while people and businesses are interacting around him and.. the cinematography is nothing short of stunning in my opinion. The way that people are talking to each other, bringing trash to the curb, waving to people driving by… but do so in a way that NONE of them actually make visual contact with Whitaker as he walks… one pace… never changing speed…it was such an amazing way to show how his character walks through society under the radar.
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
Sometimes, a good movie comes out and you find out that it came from a book! Sometimes it goes an entire other way – where you see a movie and you wonder what kind or source material could have birthed such madness… or the worst of the worst… you love the book, and the movie you get doesn’t even come close to the experience you had with words on paper.
Those are the ones we’re talking about today – movies that nobody would mind if we got a re-try on. Movies that just didn’t do any of their words justice and the things we love and hate about them.
Before we start, we would like to tell you to check out our friends at Quixotic Games brand new Kickstarter for the CORE WORLDS sequel and its expansion. CORE WORLDS: EMPIRES and NEMESIS are going live on 02/02/21, and you don’t want to miss out!
Ok, here we snow! (a day early!)
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Since PCR went and did the games he’s been playing – I decided maybe I should do the same thing.. it seems only fair.
So here are some of the games that have taken up a majority of my time while I’ve been sequestered to the inside world. Surprisingly, I’ve beaten a few of them, which is shocking for someone like me that gets distracted by the next bright thing that crosses my p
GOD OF WAR
I was never a God of War guy. I had the trilogy on my Vita, but they were always passing the time sort of games. I know there are some diehards out there that are all about that Kratos life, but Sony had a sale early in 2020 and I had heard enough great things that it seemed a worthy way to waste some time in this lockdown which should obviously only last a couple months, am I right?
This fits TWO games! So for nights on end, I spent hours grinding away at creating my favorite minmax set of powers and armor, and in the end – I beat every Valkyrie, which if you aren’t aware… is a feat. The game is gorgeous from top to bottom with the conversations between Kratos and Boy never feeling like redundant chores or protection quests – it is an exquisite story, and other than a bit of repetition in enemies that you only start to notice as you reach the end of your 20 hours of gameplay.
SACKBOY’S BIG ADVENTURE
I fall in love with every Little Big Planet game. They are cute. They have great little extra challenges that actually strain your fingers. They have a mix of weird british sense of humor and childlike wonder. I understand completely why they have a hard time finding a major audience, because they are just a little too kid-like for adults and a little too hard for kids.
That said – this game is still on rotation as I try and squeeze out the last few gems… but the sign of a good game is going back to levels that you’ve already beaten and achieved everything and go and play them just because you love the level design. (Which is precisely what I’ve done with every single one of the half-dozen music levels)
Why do crafting games feature the least crafty monsters ever?
MINECRAFT / DEAD BY DAYLIGHT / 7 DAYS TO DIE
So, I’m lumping all of these into the same category. I enjoy each one for their own reason (MC because it is unendingly creative, DBD because it is this hot mix of horror and strategy, and 7DD because I haven’t played enough of it to have eked out all of its secrets) — but they all fall into ‘games I play to hang with friends’. I am mostly an extrovert, and I’m going to tell you that this has been a big old slice of hell to be trapped inside with little contact with the outside world.
These are the games that have kept me in contact with people I may not have had a chance to talk to otherwise.
CRACKING THE CRYPTIC SUDOKU
I’m putting a link to the company that makes these games, and at first you may think.. wait, that’s a bit of money for some sudoku puzzles, doesn’t my local paper have a new game in each and every paper? The answer is yes – but those aren’t handcreated by masters of puzzles. Spend some time on the youtube channel, Cracking the Cryptic and you’ll get it.
Yes, you have to be a certain type of person to want to grind away at super difficult and altogether confusing variations of number puzzles, but – yeah – I’m 100% that guy. I get the occasional free Google money from doing surveys, and the last $20 or so I’ve earned there has paid to have every one of these apps on my phone.
There’s a war! I’m the King!
LET’S COLLECT RECIPES!
THE REST
There is a whole other slew of games that fall under the ‘play until distracted’ that would make this article waaaay too long. So here’s the short versions and a quick few words.
FINAL FANTASY XV – I decided to beat one of the newer generations. This one seemed as good as any… it is the most gorgeous piece of unintelligible mess I’ve ever played.
LEVELHEAD – It’s like MarioMaker, but for PC – and has the most welcoming online community I’ve ever had the pleasure of hanging out with
DEMONCRAWL – It’s Minesweeper, but with roleplaying elements. Perfect to lose an hour in occasionally.
WHAT’S NEXT
Lastly, the games that are on my ‘going to try next’ list…
SPIDER-MAN: MILES – That’s next on the list, but I loved the original, so it’s a no-brainer.
RETURN OF OBRA DINN – Every reviewer I respect said that Obra Dinn is an amazing piece of adventure gaming that must be tried… and it was on Steam sale over Christmas, so it awaits me.
If you haven’t noticed – I fill the vast hole in my soul with digital enjoyment… what have you been up to?
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
Why… are they called.. podcasts.
I don’t see any pod? I don’t see any fish? What are they casting? And why are they doing it in a pod?
Seinfeld, one of the top rated sitcoms of all time. The finale was one of the top comedy finales in viewership. Does the show’s legacy hold up? Does its finale hold to its legacy? The Somethings have a lot to say about Jerry and friends – but is it really a podcast about anything at all?
Ok, no soup for you!
Full Episode
Hey Somethings! Been spending a fair more time on my PC over the past few months, mostly due to working from home and many of the social things I’d been doing previously having been shuttered, so I decided to put together a list of what’s been keeping me sane lately.
Now, I’ll start by saying ‘I’m not a hardcore gamer’. Consoles were never really my thing.. my last console was an XBox One S… prior to that.. a PS2 and a Dreamcast. I do most of my gaming PC, but I’m much more a ‘casual gamer’ That being said, here’s what I’ve been playing lately…
Elite Dangerous : Horizons
This game is SLICK. It’s a space sim that has combat, exploration, resource and commodity trading, all with some stunning visuals and great ships. It’s a bit of a ‘thrown in the deep end’ to start, but fairly easy to catch up with as well as having great resources online. The single player is fun, but forming a “Wing” with friends who play is where it’s at.
Fun fact: Freddy hates gas-powered generators more than he hates teenagers
Dead By Daylight
Been playing this game for almost a year now, and to be fair I don’t play it as much as I did when I started. It’s a PVP based “Survivors vs Killers/Hunters” game (for those unaware) and… let’s just say that I’ve turned off the ‘post game chat’. Back in my OG Xbox days, I will admit my friends and I used to talk a lot of trash over Xbox Live…(a LOT of trash). 70% of DBD post game chat is… beyond that. The Cross-System play means you often wait less time for matches to pop, and the console players (currently) can’t chat. On the upside, they have a number of licensed properties… so if you ever wanted to play AS Freddy Kruger (The Nightmare in the game), or try to escape from Amanda from SAW, it’s certainly worth checking out.
Rocket League
I had played a fair amount of Rocket League back on the ole Xbox One S, and picked it up once again off Steam recently. Since it’s migration to Epic Games, the game has added a lot, and I mean a LOT. Weekly challenges for cosmetic drops, new game modes, it’s definitely been keeping it fresh and still something I’ll get in at least a few matches a day on.
The last day of every 7 Days server…
7 Days To Die
Long-time friends from NH had been playing this for years when they introduced me to this roughly 4 years ago. While we don’t go in for public servers, we do have quite a bit of fun on a local private server. For those unaware… think Minecraft, but not 8-bit looking. Oh, and with lots of zombies that know EXACTLY where you are every 7 days and will stop at nothing to feast on your brain. While we had taken a bit of a break earlier this year, we’ve introduced some new friends to it and that has brought the excitement level back a lot. One of our ‘5-6 nights a week’ gaming games. Come for the zombie killing, stay for the camaraderie.
What are YOUR go-to gaming jams? Let us know!
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
Oh, we heard you like yourself some Baby Yoda – well that’s why we are Grogu: 2 Furious coming at you with microphones loaded with Beskar and ready to take down a bunch of cylons… it’s the show that we all binged before Christmas – Mandalorian Season 2!
So settle in and relive some of your favorite moments in a show that has taken the world by storm and even made a Star Wars Sourpuss like Hatton giggle at the adorable machinations of a very hungry muppet.
Ok, and the way we go! (..get it?)
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Six Things That May Make A Show Bad
Because of the Something’s love/hate relationship with Lost over the years, I have found that there are certain things a television show does that make me wonder whether what I’m watching is good TV or not. Every situation and show is unique, of course, and for every item on this list, there is an exception where it’s done to great effect, but if you are watching the newest thing and you can count the number of times these problems arise over two hands in the first season, it just might be that you are watching a bad show.
1. What was the answer to the question?
There is a tense moment. Heroes have just run into a room, the villain is about to reveal a key fact, a group of hackers are pouring over a computer screen you can’t see, the camera pans slowly as everybody’s face goes shocked…annnnnnnnnnnnd we’re on the next scene. Now, more often than not, this is built for tension and we can hope that the payoff will come before the credits roll, but what happens when this sequence happens every episode? What about when it’s the same secret that is always told to everyone except the audience? It can get infuriating, aren’t we good enough to know?
Sometimes, these results come and you feel satisfied, but more often than not they are only the deus ex, the big surprise at the end, that made it safe for the good guys to win the day or the bad guys to live to fight another day. It’s the secret plan they had in their back pocket all along – that you knew they had since minute 15 and have only existed to confuse everyone along the way.
We all know who the real monsters are…
2. Why didn’t they ask twice?
“So what happened to my partner?” The hero asks the knowing intelligence agent of questionable morality.
“I thought we were here to discuss my Netflix Terms of Service?” the agent turns slowly and with purpose.
The hero slams his hands on the table, “THEY DON’T REVEAL THEIR METRICS!”
Now, maybe the hero was there for legal advice about his streaming service, but they did ask a question first. Rarely in television do characters go, “That’s not what I asked.” Instead, they respond to what they’re given. It’s a bait and switch being played on the viewer.. your mystery has been addressed, but can be pushed off until later. It lets you feel like it isn’t a forgotten plot point, but adds nothing to it. It’s a mental trick that works for a little while, but when characters are jumping topic to topic, ask yourslef ‘Would I have more answers if they had only repeated the question?’
3. You waited until now to tell me?
I get that a show where we were privvy to every moment of car rides, jet rides, train trips, horseback sojourns, and rollercoaster uphills may get fairly boring. It makes sense for exposition to be dumped at times where you are visually simulated…. but… if the only time you ever get important, life-saving information is right as the characters are about to jump in the face of danger – something’s up.
“So, what do we have to worry about?” The captain asks, gun drawn, hiding behind a bunch of crates full of dolphin-safe tuna.
“Nothing other than the rocket launchers,” The monster-turn-informant says for the first time ever, shrugging with a wry smile that makes no sense since they are also in a place possibly filled with rocket launchers.
Your everyday average black ops project.. or terrorist cell.. one of those.
4. WHO DO YOU WORK FOR? Wait.. WHO DO I WORK FOR?!
Changing loyalties go hand in hand with action and espionage shows. Sometimes, like on Alias, the question of ‘who is who they say they are’ is done to amazing effect. Other times, in shows like Alias, it is a constant tennis match of never knowing if you are watching heroes or villains. Finding out the whole season has been the reverse of what you’ve seen can be an amazing and satisfying reveal. Finding out that the hero that was originally the villain was actually the villain, but for a different group of villains instead of the villains you learned previously were heroes… well, you get it.
5. Isn’t anyone normal!?
We pan from the protagonist to their neighbor who smiles jovially and waves while they are watering their plants. The minute the hero is out of shot the neighbor grabs their cellphone, ‘She’s on the move.’ Over their shoulder a mailman is delivering to the next person down the street and pulls a gun from the mailbox. All of this while a dog watches from across the street wearing a blinking collar made of C4, being walked by an assassin with a robotic arm.
A good show needs cool characters, fine… but is everyone in on the mystery? Is everyone a spy or a secret double reverse skip Draw +4 Mossad Cyberagent? Can’t our heroes just have one friend that aren’t in league with the Russians and just enjoys the Smiths and Scrabble night? If nobody in the show’s world is just a normal everyday schmuck, perhaps the show is relying a bit too much on that trope.
6. No, it’s not that.. it’s WAAAY more complex than that…
Chances are, if you’ve ever written a story, outline, game or otherwise – you’ve come up against your brain with a twist or reveal that, honestly, is kind of obvious. How else would any of what had happened before make sense? Or, perhaps you just never really thought out the answer so now you are continuing to complicate it to try and get yourself out of your own maze. Both of these are what happens when you aren’t trying to tell a story, but simply trying to keep your audience on their toes. The deeper your mystery gets, the more satisfying the payoff should be. So, when you get to the final chapter and all of the writers start telling you, ‘Oh it was never about the destination, it was about the people…’ you have every right to be ticked off.
I know that sounds like I’m leaning on Lost with that one, but tons of shows can’t help but over-complicate themselves to keep that seasonal advertising money rolling in. Lost, Battlestar, X-Files… of course you have no idea what happened – nobody does – not even the writers.
So there you have it – what shows have you seen that did these things well? What shows have done all of them? Let us know and we’ll see you next week!
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
We are back live and streaming with our first hang-out party of the year – and what are we discussing? Well we’re going to an old favorite of ours, THE WHEEL! Which is a series of topics that now can appear randomly!
So we spin the wheel, make some deals, and Mash-Up two different movie franchises to make one brand new series to see whether we can get it pitched to the invisible director we are somehow stuck in an elevator with.
Want to join the party next time, head to TWITCH and follow so you don’t miss out!
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Why I’ve given up on GBBO
I wasn’t always a Great British Bake Off fan. That’s not to say I previously didn’t like it, but I never knew about it or had interest in it until I started watching it on Netflix, and by then, Netflix had 5 Seasons of it already.
I was instantly hooked. Paul, Mary, Mel, Sue… the chemistry was great. The criticisms, witty retorts, double entendres, the bakes, the failures… it was all riveting.
The original line-up.. on your marks, get set… Bake! As the seasons went on, the bakes got better, the failures…as one would expect… got bigger, and the judging got harsher.
The tone noticeably shifted when Sue, Mel, and Mary left the show. GBBO brought in Noel and Sandy as the double act, and Prue to replace Mary as judge while Paul Hollywood remained.
I understand these were huge shoes to fill, and while Sandy immediately seemed to fall into a comfort zone, Noel looked overwhelmed at times. The eliminations visibly wore on Sandy as weeks and seasons went on, but the thing I noticed more was Paul seemed to get more …. crotchety? Brutal? Coarse?
When he was part of the original group, he seemed to know he was part of a ‘team’, but when 3 of those 4 were changed out, it’s almost like something awoke in him that he realized HE was ‘The Big Name’ and swung that ego around. While his praises were still there (and, in some cases… even elevated to heights of compliments he hadn’t given previously)… his criticisms became more withering. What hit me the most however, and finally made me give up.. was the inconsistency… real, perceived or edited… of the judging.
Too many times in recent seasons it felt like there was CLEARLY as obvious choice of who would be going home due to “Meh in the Signature, last in technical, middling in Showstopper” only to.. somehow.. have that person stick around and someone who was “Good in Sig, 2nd in Technical, Meh in Showstopper” be the one the judges decided to get rid of.
I won’t name contestant names as getting on the show at all means you’ve got chops… but after the semi finals of the most recently posted season, I tapped out. Didn’t watch the finale and can’t see myself watching again in the future. Maybe the show has run its course, maybe it needs a hiatus, maybe a total rework. It’s still amazingly popular so doubtful any of that would happen, but this former GBBO fan is leaving the tent for good
Every week, the Somethings will be giving you a little something extra, so please check back every week for reviews, lists, cool finds, and more!
Before you get to our first brand new episode of 2021 – take a minute and head to our website somethingcast.com and take a look at the new layout. After 200+ episodes, we decided it was time to get with the program and instead of a regular old WordPress blog, we were going to go with a highly edited WordPress blog with new features all over the place.
Be sure to check back on Thursday for one that we’re super excited about, but you won’t see on your Podcast feed.
Now though – settle in, because as we’ve seen 2020 come to an end, the boys want to talk about some of their favorite movie deaths.. from the horrific to the tremendous, here are a bunch of characters who died in neat ways.
Ok, here we go!
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If you are seeing this, then either this post has appeared on our RSS feed, which may or may not be a good thing, or you are coming to the site and seeing all the new stuff we’re working on.
Either way, thanks for being here, and don’t forget that we’re back with a brand new episode on Tuesday, January 5th!
It’s the last of the Throwback episodes before we are back on the mic and doing what we do in 2021.
Since December is a five Something month, we decided to give you another episode from the archives that features this very thing. We talk about the show from 2019, so you’ll see how much we wanted to do and how little we’ve, in fact, done.
Last time in the DeLorean, Marty… strap in and Happy New Year!
Ok, here we go!
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Before we get to the episode itself, from the Somethings to you – we hope you have a safe and happy holiday, no matter where you are or how you spend it.
Now, since there is a very good chance you aren’t going to get to have your big blow-out Christmas Extravaganza, why not travel back in time with the Somethings to when we did just that live on the air. It is a lot less episode and a more like your group of friends hanging out at the end of the party, bloated with Nog and Cheer.
So come join the Something Christmas Party with MARCUS, ERIC, and TONY back from 2016.
Ok, here we GO HO HO!
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Happy Holidays Throwback month continues with an episode where we discuss movies that are… Christmas-ish. Sure, of course we all know about your Miracle on 34ths and your It’s a Wonderfuls, but everyone talks about those. We’re the Somethings – we need to take it a little bit further.
Also, if you are not the type that goes to websites anymore (who does that, anyway) – do us a favor and head to the site somethingcast.com and check out the new look for the website. More changes are coming, so keep coming back!
Ready for the jelly of the month club? Okay, here we go ho ho…
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Remember back when the must-see event of any Christmas season was Doctor Who and Sherlock? We do, and we sometimes think back to those halcyon days of the early 2010s and remember fondly sitting around the hearth with our kin and arguing blitheringly about whether or not they were good.
That’s precisely what we do here, from Episode 59 where we hung out with Meredith Placko and Emma Fyffe and talked about the 2016 BBC specials.
So settle in, get your nog, and join us for some YuleTide Nitpicking, in the way only the Somethings could make charming…
Ok, here we Ho! Ho! Ho!
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It’s December, which means the Somethings are taking the month to recharge, rebuild, and record. We’ll be back in 2021 with even more ‘Something!’
So this month, gather round and listen to the boys sound a lot younger talking about stuff from when they were even younger – a time before we even had a theme song!
It’s a Throwback to Episode 6 – Saturday Morning Cartoons…
Ok, here we go!
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And with the End of a Something Year almost upon us – we thought why not go look at what may have been one of the biggest losses to superheroic entertainment, that of a blind lawyer who fights street level crime, but in the most badass way possible… he’s the Avocado At Law – Daredevil.
Does the end of the series pay homage to what came before it? Does its grit and grime line up with its heroics and kick-butt nature?
Is there a hallway sequence?
Ok, here we go…
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We told you that new things were coming, and new things are arriving. Two weeks ago, we gave you ‘What Would We Have Done’ and this week we are showing off another of our new features, ‘Where Are They Now’ where Rob and I discuss the fictional futures of characters you’ve come to know…
This month, we are taking on the Malfoy’s, that reviled family that sat on the wrong side of history in the battle of Hogwarts and beyond.
Where are they now? What happened to them? Well, settle in – you are about to find out in Where Are They Now? The Malfoys
Ok, here we go!
Note: Thank you all for letting us know there were some sound cue errors – they have been corrected.
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Now that we are eke’ing our way beyond the Halloween Thunderdome and getting prepped for all the fixings of Thanksgiving with a jolly fatman on the horizon, it’s time for all the Netflix shows to start thundering through.
This one, in particular, seemed like it may be up the Somethings alley… we dig Sherlock, we think Millie Bobbie Brown does good work, and hey, the Witcher! So join us as we dive in to the new Netflix flick about the turn of the century Encyclopedia Brown – Enola Holmes, on In Review!
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We’re trying something new! It’s kind of hard to explain, but here I go…
Some shows or movies or something er another end poorly. Some, in fact, ended years before their last episode… so we thought, what would WE have done?
Oh, it’s actually pretty easy to explain.. nevermind.
Anyway, we’re taking down the story of a man who murders and the people that love him. We’re taking him away from his lumberjacking ways and letting the world know – WHAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE…. with DEXTER!
Ok, here we go…
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It’s the end of October, which means it is time for The End, but… spookier.
What can we talk about that features one of the scariest men in horror cinema, produced by one of the trendsetters of the last 30 years of scares? Why, what about a show featuring a greasy spoon diner and a strange vaguely Twilight Zoney premise.
That’s right, it’s Nightmare Cafe, from the mind of Wes Craven.. or at least one of his relatives.. the story of two people trying to do good with a traincar diner in the middle of nowhere.
To put it simply… it’s… something. So let’s go with The End: Nightmare Cafe
Ok, here we go…
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If you weren’t aware – and I’m really shocked.. have you listened to the way we tawk… the Somethings live in the Garden State of New Jersey – which I assure you, does have gardens.
That said, it also has swamps and bogs and dark places where the bodies are literally buried. Amongst the pines is the legend of the Jersey Devil – our very own cryptid.
Arguably one of the most famous cryptids, taking the silver beneath Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil is a mystery that we’ve all heard about, but have you? What started it? Where does it live? Does it like Wawa or Quickchek?
Only one way to find out… on Mysteries of the Somethingverse!
Ok, here we go!
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October Continues!
Themed around the scary and horror-tastic, we are here with this month’s Review, and since we’re talking scary – who better to get than the scare-tacular friends of the Somethings,Megan and Katie of the Silver Screams (@Silver_Screams)
Which brings us to what we are reviewing… and we decided to dive into a oft-overlooked and forgotten movie from the late 90s, arguably the ‘before & after’ moment for Tim Burton and Johnny Depp – Sleepy Hollow
So lets dive into a horror mystery and find out who is the Headless Horseman, and whether this movie has held the test of time.
Okay, here we boo!
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LET’S GET SPOOKY!
It’s October, and we know that is a favorite of so many of you out there – whether it is the cool crisp fall air, the badass costumes, or the unrelenting dread of a world outside the doors we haven’t opened since we ran out of hummus last week….. OCTOBER!
To celebrate this horrorific month, we are bringing you our favorite moments in horror – and to give us some of that good ol’ fashion scare cred, we have invited Fear from The World According to Fear & MDI (Also on Youtube) to help talk about not the greatest moments IN horror, but our favorites…
Grab your candy corn and your dentist’s business card and
Okay, here we boo!
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It’s a five week month! That means you get EXTRA SOMETHINGS!
We’re getting ready for our October Spooktacular episodes, so we headed into the vault and got you an episode that you have never ever ever heard.. we’ve discussed toys before, but we are talking about some of the toys that really were our gateway to other things.
So settle in with your Pet Rock, pet your Sea Monkeys lovingly, and make our logo with your Lite Brite… it’s time to toy it up!
Okay, here we go!
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Danny Rand… we’ve said quite a lot of things about Danny Rand’s Bland Fight To Unhand The Hand. Well now it is time to discuss the last time we’ll have to deal with this, the most underwhelming of the Marvel shows.
Did it pick up from Season 1? Has Danny become a better character? What about a better person? …a better fighter? A better anything?!
Well settle in as we discuss some of the last of the Netflix Marvel U – it’s The End: Iron Fist
Ok, here we go…
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Sitting amongst the dunes of Egypt lay a creature that protects the great temples. Was it a lion? Was it a man? Was it shade thrown at a prior Emporer?
This week on the Mysteries of the Somethingverse, the boys are taking down the Sphinx, and we win by a nose…. get it?
Settle in, it’s time for another Mystery!
Ok, here we go!
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We got a message not so long ago from our good friendBig Kev, of a show you might remember, Big Kev’s Geek Stuff, now far flung years into the future with Geek Stuff: TNG (@GeekStuffTNG) – and a conversation about Solo broke out.
You see, Rob and I have mixed opinions on Solo… was it good? Was it good enough? Was it just nostalgic pablum?
The battle lines have been drawn… on the Somethingside, myself and Rob. On the side of the defense, we have not only Big Kev, but actor and long time friend of the Somethings and New Jersey actor Erik A.
So settle in and make your opinions known – it’s time for a
Something In Review: REDUX
Ok, here we go!
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Not everybody likes everything.. I mean, Hatton goes out of his way to watch Asylum Films, and Podcast Rob enjoys Kiss. Sometimes, people can’t help it.
Well, if we’re going to be talking about Hot Takes on things, we needed two friends to come join in the party – so we got fellow ACPN.NET posse, Kevin Gootee and Kevin Israel, the hosts of Gutting The Sacred Cow to hang out and take down some big opinions.
Take a listen – agree – disagree – and then head over to their show and tell them we sent you.
We talk Star Wars, DC, Die Hard, and a whole lot more… Ready to fight?
Ok, here we go!
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Grab your self a gabagool of garmugia and a ragu of fuggedabottit, it’s time again for The End where we discuss whether the finale of a show suffices (whether or not we’ve seen the show itself)
Today we’re hitting the show that changed the way dramatic television was done, the mobsters from our home state of New Jersey… The Sopranos
What do the boys think about this divisive television ending? Does it make for a good show? Has Sopranos stood the test of time?
Find out now on The End – Sopranos
Ok, here we go…
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A group of experienced hikers begin climbing an advanced trail in the Ural mountains in 1959. The only survivor was one man who didn’t even make it to the climb, and the Somethingverse is here to discuss what happened.
Was it a military experiment? Was it shamanistic tribes? Was it outright murder?
This sorrow-filled tale is filled with turns and unanswered questions – and you get Dyatlov Pass right here in the Somethingverse….
Ok, here we go!
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It was inevitable, wasn’t it?
Long ago when we started doing this show, we had this little running gag about attractive people being in the movie Suckerpunch – so now that we have been doing our movie parties on Discord, the time was right for us to find out what all these attractive people actually do!
So join us as we head into our dream within a dream (within a dance within a dream within a bus within a melodrama) and discuss the gun-firing, zombie-killing, samurai-slashing, scantily-clad, outlandishly over-hyphenated movie: Suckerpunch!
Is it good? Is it bad? Is it misunderstood? Well, it’s at least one of those things, and you can find out which right now!
Ok, here we go!
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What’s going on all – the Somethings are on vacation, but that doesn’t mean you get to be…
What it does mean is that we are diving into the bin of episodes you’ve never heard and popping out with something cool. The only reason I’m mentioning it is that this episode was recorded quite a bit ago. If you are wondering why we’re not social distancing – there’s your reason.
That said – it is going to drive by you at 1.21ghz – we are talking about the things in movies that are the unsung heroes.. the vehicles the heroes drive. From big muscle cars to tricked out sci-fi contraptions, we are about to talk about cars that get you from place A to place B in style or are so cool the whole movie is about them.
Get in, because we got smokeys on our tail!
Ok, here we go!
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Vampies and Werewolves and Magic, Oh My!
It’s time again for the Somethings to journey into the last of a series and see whether or not it holds up. This time, the boys have headed to the Grove – a place where foreigners show up to a small town and all sorts of strangeness goes on.
When the show ends, there are relationships asunder, big fights between monsters, and – well – really a lot of things one of the Somethings wasn’t too sure about.
So settle in – we hope you lychan this episode…
Also! Don’t go away, as the last episode of Stories To Amaze: D E M starts right after the episode ends!
So let’s get to … THE END: HEMLOCK GROVE
Ok, here we go!
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