Scattershots
Here’s a few things I’ve been getting into lately and thought I’d share with you. Podcasts, CDs, TV Shows, Comics, Websites, Forums… If I’m reading it, listening to it, watching it, or participating, then I’m letting you know about it here. Good and Bad.
A little something for everybody…
PODCASTS
3 Chicks & A Mic
My latest Podcast addiction is called “3 Chicks & A Mic.” On this show, Jen, Crystal and Adele, have round table discussions about everything from geeky comics, girl power pop groups, and bad remakes to old teen shows, to old movies, Tom Welling and how everybody originally thought Hanson was a pop band made up of three chicks. You can find them on iTunes, or visit their site HERE. Its an entertaining show, and a great time killer. Tell them The A-Train sent ya!
Geek Out Loud
The Official Podcast of Geek Out Online.comcontinues to be one of my favorite podcasts ever. Second only to SkyNext and SHoE, who are tied at number one. Geek Out Loud is always entertaining, and most often hilarious. Each episode takes on a specific topic but its Steve Glosson so tangents are mandatory, and those are often even better than the actual topic. Most recently he’s covered 2 Star Wars episodes, which even 2 episodes later are still sparking emails and nostalgic story sharing. You’ve also got the classic Muppets episode, co-starring Derek Russell, and Jen’s (from 3 Chicks And A Mic) guest appearance for an all things geek talk from a lady’s perspective. Check out this show. You wont regret it.
COMICS
I’m still way behind on my comics, but I try to keep up with my “Top of the Stack” favorites. Secret Invasion continues to blow me away and Batman R.I.P. continues to confuse me. The tie-ins to Secret Invasion are just as good as the core book. Especially the Avengers books. You get a lot of explanations and back stories in those books. Plus the Avengers Initiative title is still a lot of fun and plenty of action. The Luna Brothers are still keeping me hooked on The Sword, and I just got GIRLS Vol 2 in the mail, so I’m looking forward to diving into that one. I gotta find out what that huge sperm looking thing was! The second volume of Iron Fistfinally arrived, which was where I started to cut back on comics way back when and I’m looking forward to getting caught up on what was one of my favorite titles. I’m about to dive into Joss Whedon’s Runawayshard cover. Hope he doesn’t disappoint. I love that Runaways title.
TV
Fringe
Oh My Gosh. What a crappy show this is. I’m sorry to all you Fringe lovers out there. I just couldn’t stand to continue watching this show. I’m surprised I watch a full 3 episodes. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a J.J. Abrams fan. LOST is fantastic, Cloverfield was outstanding, and I (a non-trekkie) cannot wait for the new Star Trek. I’m looking forward to his take on it. But this show is just hopeless. How Fox could pick this show up for a full season on the same day as announcing Terminator: TSCC is in danger of getting cancelled is beyond me. The whole “a different mystery every week” is redundant and way too X-Files, without the cool factor. “The Pattern” doesn’t interest me one bit. And the fact that the old man scientist was always involved in the early stages of every mystery they come across is way too convenient and I feel the writers are taking the easy way out every week. Plus Joshua Jackson is playing the same damn character he always plays. So forgive me Fringefans, but I consider this show an immense disappointment and am no longer DVRing it.
MUSIC
Anberlin – New Surrender
I’m a huge Anberlin fan. I’ve enjoyed every record they’ve ever released. And I even know the guys in the band since before they were Anberlin. They all used to be a local Punk Rock band called saGoh 24/7. Every Anberlin album has been great and an obvious growth from the record that came before it. However, despite having a lot of strong songs on their latest effort, New Surrender, I don’t really feel they grew much, if at all on this album. My main issue with the record is that the songs don’t flow together very well. The end of one track doesn’t really mesh well with the beginning of the next track. Individually, this album has some outstanding songs. Just off the top of my head “Retrace” is touching and beautiful, “Breathe” is one of their better acoustic tracks, and “Burn Out Brighter” is hopeful and inspiring. And that’s just off the top of my head. There’s plenty of melody, sing along moments, and great musicianship on this record. The band is talented. They always have been, there’s no doubt about that. I think the one negative of this album was probably the Producer and his editing choices when putting the record together. They also made the decision to re-record “Feel Good Drag,” which was originally on their second album, Never Take Friendship Personal. I don’t see where the need to redo it and simplify it came from. I like the original.
That being said, give it a shot if you’re new to Anberlin. As I said, its got lots of great songs on it. And if you’re a die hard Anberlin fan like me, there’s no way you’re not going to get the record so who’re you kidding?
SITES AND BLOGS
Geek Out Online
Aside from the podcast, Steve also does a great job with some incredibly well written posts about some really nerdy topics. Covering anything he happens to be into at the time, kind of like what I do here on The Pullbox, only better. He reviews each comic book he reads. Even the single issues I don’t always have time to or am usually behind on. Where he gets the time to do all this and still works as hard as he does is a mystery. Although, it might have something to do with the fact that he’s single. “Ladies…”
Beaming Beeman
Greg Beeman, one of the Directors and Producers on HEROES has been keeping a weekly blog. He updates immediately after each week’s new episode of HEROES airs and his posts include some really detailed and interesting behind the scenes stuff. He explains in detail how each episode was made, how many changes were made during shooting and the difference from script to screen. And he always wraps up the post with the most hilarious back stage pictures of the cast just being goofy and having a great time. I love this blog and its one I frequent.
Blatherin’ Blatherskite
Formerly known as “Totally Serendipitous.” This is Derek Russell’s personal blog where he posts funny videos and strong opinions on whatever topic happens to come to mind. This guy works for John Schneider, hosts three different podcasts (two of which are my favorites,) with occasional guest spots on Geek Out Loud, (the Official Podcast of Geek Out Online.com) and loves all the same time travel movies I love. Seriously, i don’t mean to get too weird here, but if I ever met him in person, I’d probably give him a big hug.
Buckshotwon
This is Adrian Pasdar’s (Nathan Petrelli on HEROES) personal YouTube channel, where he posts all kinds of whacky videos he and the rest of the cast make on their travels around the world, and while filming the show. Most of them are just them goofing around but some are short 30 to 60 second mini-movies, complete with a soundtrack and camera effects. These HEROESguys are so generous to their fans, I swear. My favorite is still Masi Oka getting poked in the eye.
Blue Plate Special (NSFW. 18+)
Maxi Suicidefrom SuicideGirls.com is one of my favorite models on the site. She has a personal blog called Blue Plate Special where she posts lots of photographs from all her modeling jobs and talks a bit about her life and experiences. She’s a very talented photographer and an intelligent woman with strong opinions and a love for food unlike any I’ve ever seen. And I mean that in a good way. Beware, this blog is NOT SAFE FOR WORK! LOTS OF NUDE PHOTOS on that site. For her official website, go HERE.
FORUMS
Starkville Forum Community
The Starkville’s House Of El (SHoE), 10th Wonder, SkyNext, Geek Out Loud and SHoE 2 Podcasts have all merged their forums into one big ass community of nerdy TV geeks and podcastfans. These are some of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of not actually meeting in person. Wait… that didn’t come out right. They’re awesome people to hang out with online! There, that’s better. Join up and talk about these great shows. Or just talk about Chocolate Pie and how much you want to Embrace the Paradox. In any case, there’s good conversations to be had by all.
END OF EXTRA LONG TRANSMISSION.
