Entries by Rob Dean (454)
Verbiage - June 29, 2011
Today's word of the day is Desultory:
des·ul·to·ry
[des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
Zelda Convention - June 28, 2011
Quotent Quotables - June 28, 2011
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
Kindred Spirits
Well, what I want them to know is just like, John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa.
That's the kind of spirit that I have, too.
- Michele Bachmann
Clowns can get away with murder.
- John Wayne Gacy
(Context)
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
Double Dip Demands is a column in which I propose films that deserve a re-release on DVD/Blu-Ray with more special features, better transfers and other nerdy bits. Some of the films have no DVDs out there for Region 1 viewers, and some of them have a really crappy version that's bare bones or poorly put together. Who speaks for these films? I do.
The Film: Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (2004 UK TV series)
Cast & Crew: Matthew Holness (Creator/Writer/Actor), Richard Ayoade (Creator/Writer/Actor); Matt Berry, Alice Lowe
Plot Synopsis (via IMDB): This spoof TV series is an unearthed 80's horror TV show, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.
Is it Currently Out? Yes/No. It is available in UK with an extras-packed disc, but is not available for Region 1 players (i.e., Amurrica)
Why Does it Deserve Special Features? Garth Marenghi's Darkplace is a brilliant satire series that mocks 80s cheesy action TV series, pompous pulp writers, bad genre television and the self-importance inherent in revisiting old works. Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade - who created and wrote the series in addition to appearing as Garth Marenghi/Dr. Rick Dagless and Dean Learner/Thornton Reed, respectively - have a perfect understanding of the multiple genres in their sights and do a good job of adhering to the rules and limitations of them. Then, in addition to mocking the shows and their cheesy budgets/poorly realized scripts, Holness and Ayoade throw in several metatextual elements with the multiple layers of characters playing characters (badly). It's a hilarious and utterly singular show that is occasionally seen on [adult swim] (in fact, I think it'll be on the [adult swim] schedule this July). As the series is over with these 6 episodes, and since all involved have proven their abilities in creating this many layered universe - and their success in other ventures like The IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh, Submarine, etc. - it would be worthwhile to get these brilliant comedians back together for one more go at this cult show.
What Should Be on the Disc?
Verbiage - June 28, 2011
Today's word of the day is Subterfuge:
sub·ter·fuge
[suhb-ter-fyooj]Now I Just Want Batman to Run For President
I don't want him to be president, of course; I don't agree with his policies on child labor at all. But I like the image of Batman in debates. Anyways, the latest video from Cracked.com's After Hours crew is here, it is awesome and it contains a few f-bombs:
Why Batman Is Secretly Terrible for Gotham -- powered by Cracked.com
Also - Salt/Sugar roulette is pretty brilliant.
Gettin' a Little Dusty In Here...
(the song playing towards the end is "Thank You Mario But Our Princess is in Another Castle" by The Mountain Goats & Kaki King)
Zelda Convention - June 27, 2011
Really, porn tube streaming site? It's not bad enough that my love life solely consists of watching a video labeled "Naughty Maid," but you have to add the insult of calling me ugly when I hit pause? Ouch...my pride.
Quotent Quotables - June 27, 2011
Important things are inevitably cliché.
Weeks of June 27 and July 4, 2011
Every week, we list our recommendations of new music, books, comics, movies and TV to check out. This is Recs in Effect:
We're going to be taking next monday off (as we love our country and freedom and Jesus and why don't you feel that way you godless hippie bastard?). So this recommendation covers the next two weeks.
New Comic (June 28th)
This one is a blind recommendation. BUT! It is by Charles Soule. Charles Soule wrote one of my favorite graphic novels of 2009: Strongman. Strongman was an excellent, funny, sad, well-paced story that blended the inherent ridiculousness of luchadores with familiar trappings of a noir missing person case. Due to his excellent writing, Soule has become one of those people whose work I will always support, buying sight unseen (see Eric Powell, Brian K. Vaughan, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, James Jean). Anyways, 27: First Set is the story of a musician who encounters rock's infamous '27 Club' - that is the group of talented musicians who die at the age of 27. I'm sure it's a great genre-blending mash-up of fun, nerdiness and inventive approaches to well previously trodden territory.
Verbiage - June 27, 2011
Today's word of the day is Jubliant:
ju·bi·lant
[joo-buh-luhnt]Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs - They Callin' Again.
Pretty Dang Brilliant Spinoff of My Drunk Kitchen: My Hungover Kitchen
(I kind of love this soooo much you guys)
Episode 1 - The French Toastening:
(episode 2 is after the jump)