Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!


Santa has come to the internet and has dropped off some podcasts for your listening pleasure. All of these were done by my cohorts over at the Two True Freaks Internet Radio Network, so you know they're good quality. :)

First up we have Tom Panarese with some music for all of you. These are Tom's favorite songs that get the least air play on the radio. Good stuff.

You can download it here.














Then there's Chris "Hair Metal Hero" Tyler reading "The Gift of the Magi". He really does this classic tale justice and he even works in Emmet Ottr's Jugband Christmas, so now you have to listen.

You can download it here.









Next we have the Back to the Bins show where they review Marvel, DC, and Disney Christmas comics. Yes, there are tangents a plenty, but that's pretty much how BttB works.

WARNING: You may want to avoid listening if there are younger ears in the room.

You can download it here.






Now we come to my own contribution. Those of you that are friends with me on Facebook and Google+ will have alread seen the announcement of this, but I wanted to mention it here just in case you have nearly 3 hours to kill. Yes, I read the ENTIRE original text of "A Christmas Carol". I didn't do any special effects or music, but if I get enough feedback on the subject I might do a special edition for next year.

Yeah, I know I'm not Christian, but there's so much Heathen symbolism just in the Ghost of Christmas Present, that I love this story.

You can download it here.




And we have now arrived at the all star Two True Freaks Christmas Variety Special. Along with pretty much everyone else on the network, I took part in this and it's a great episode.

WARNING: Definitely not suitable for anyone of younger years or high levels of maturity.

You can download it here.










Then there's Hey Kids, Comics! where Micheal and Andy Leyland take a bit of a darker turn for the holidays. It's Grant Morrison, so what do you expect?

You can download it here.














Last up for Two True Freaks is Earning My Ears, a Walt Disney World podcast done by Scott Gardner and Scott Ryfun. The subject this time out is Christmas in the parks and how to get the most enjoyment out of your trip. Also, where can you find Christmas in WDW 365 days a year. Good stuff!














Next, while they're not affiliated with Two True Freaks, I would be greatly remiss if I didn't mention Star Wars In Character. These guys have done three,count 'em THREE, amazing Christmas Specials with completely original songs! Wonderful stuff!

WARNING: These are definitely not suitable for younger ears due to language and subject matter. There are also a copious amount of ear-worms in here.

The 2012 show can be downloaded here.

The 2013 show can be downloaded here.

The 2014 show can be downloaded here.


Finally, for some more good old superhero holiday magic, we have Chris and Cindy Franklin of the Suprmates Podcast looking in on a comic and a cartoon, both involving the Timm-verse versions of the DC Heroes. Really good stuff here, especially when Cinday explains why she could be friends with the Ultra Humanite.

You can download this one here.










As is quickly becoming my tradition, I'll be taking next week off from posting, so come on back on January 8th for more geeky goodness!




Thursday, December 18, 2014

The Golden Age of Cartooning

From Movie Muse Scraps

Being an unabashed child of the 1980's, I have long held that this decade was the Golden Age of animation. Most of it, in my opinion, can be attributed to the fact that there were so few channels available and each one of them was competing for the demographics. While a good number of cartoons that I watched were, basically, half hour toy commercials, they were all at least entertaining and, more often than not, made you think. Below are a few of my must see series. In other words, those shows that I annoyed my sister with by demanding that we watch them.

A very special thank you to Charlie Niemeyer, who's now defunct show, Charlies Geekcast, put me in this mindset.

Spider-Man, Iceman and Firestar. You just can't go wrong. Well, they did with the dog.


Bruce Banner and the Incredible Reappearing Clothes


Yes, I know that this was from the 70's, but I first saw it on Nickelodeon in the 80's.


Still the best Flash Gordon adaptation out there.


This is probably my favorite version of the show, Wonder Twins and all.


It didn't take me long to realize that the Earth would be destroyed right around when I graduated High School. Still, a fun show.


I actually had some toys from this show. The figures had little wheels that made sparks to light up their chest emblems. Not something you'd see today.


My very first lay-away item was the Thunder Tank.


Great show with an astronomy lesson at the end of each episode.


I had a mess of these figures. And all the stuff was mix and match.


This one's for my Quantum Cast co-host.


Yeah, it's kidified, but I still like it. OK, you can get rid of the mice and I wouldn't complain.


Still my favorite version of the Transformers.


The first time I ever won something it was a He-Man contest at Burger King.


No, they couldn't hit anything they were aiming at, but I still loved this show,


Thursday, December 11, 2014

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

This past Sunday was the 35th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, one of my favorite movies of all time and what I consider to be the reason for my geeky nature. To celebrate this historic event, I invited Scott Gardner, one half of the Two True Freaks, to talk with me about the movie and what it means to us.

I would encourage anyone, regardless of what you think about this movie, to listen to our discussion and then rewatch the movie. I think you'll find that it's actually pretty good. And if you do that, please let us know on Facebook what you thought.

Direct Download: http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/TheHammerPodcasts/mp3/THP-Episode008.mp3

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Thoughts on the Teaser



Yes, I watched the teaser for Episode 7 and, even though I didn't make it to the Two True Freaks Round Table, I do have some thoughts on it.

Just in case you haven't seen it (and if you haven't, what rock have you been living under?) here it is:


First of all, let's remember that this is a teaser, meaning it's only here to whet your appetite for more, and I think it certainly accomplishes that, at least for me.

Now, I've heard some stuff about the, what I believe, is the Stormtrooper that pops up in the beginning and the fact that he doesn't look like Jango Fett. Well, by the time of Star Wars, the Empire was recruiting for it's military (remember the Academy that Luke wants to go to?) and the Stormtroopers were just a higher level of foot soldiers. That means that they can look like anyone, really.

Next up, let's talk about the Light-Broadsword. That looks, to me anyway, like an older, less refined version of the traditional lightsaber. I say this because it looks as if the blade isn't completely under control and, if this is an ancient evil awakening, it would make sense that the weapon would also be ancient. I do think that the cross piece is a bit more dangerous than useful, but that's just me.

Yes, the R2 head on the soccer ball looks ... odd. I don't know what's going on there, and I'm not sure I want to. I do hope that the name of P3-L3 that I saw on Scott Ryfun's Facebook page doesn't stick, though. Yeah, it's funny, but it smacks of the Tarzan yell from Jedi, too close to our world to be there.

But, the piece de resistance has to be the ships. X-Wings flying low over the water, TIE Fighters attacking, and the Millennium Falcon back in action! Yeah, I'm excited, but I'm also cautious. JJ Abrams made one Star Trek movie that was alright and one that I haven't seen because I don't want to get ticked off. I really hope he doesn't screw this up.