RSS
-
Posts
4,001 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by RSS
-
-
He's been called an unimaginative hack, a rip-off artist and a flash in the pan. From a film school dropout whose project won an Academy Award to a prodigal son returning to visceral horror in the new millennium, John Carpenter is one of genre film's most important directors. His work, however, can be neatly parsed into two eras: early and latter. And in this column I will be discussing the early films of this master of horror.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-29
-
After weeks of cryptic hints on Earth-2.net: The Show, the very first episode of World's Finest Podcast is finally here! Reviewed for your listening pleasure are five episodes of Batman: The Animated Series: "On Leather Wings," "Christmas with the Joker," "Nothing to Fear," "The Last Laugh" and "Pretty Poison." (The majority of World's Finest Podcast, episode 001 originally aired as Earth-2.net: The Show, episode 090.) [ 1:11:19 || 32.7 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.worldsfinestpodcast.com/episodes/wfp_001.mp3
-
In an effort to better grasp the DC Universe, Mike recently read Justice League of America #0-8, Justice Society of America #1-4, World War III #1-4 and 52 #50. Which series stood head and shoulders above the rest, and which one stunk up the joint? It's not what you think! [ 58:51 || 26.9 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_095.mp3
-
Even as a very young boy I knew slasher films were a special breed. Pacing the horror aisle of the local video store, looking at VHS cassette covers fraught with amazement, I knew there were films on that rack I was not supposed to see. The stylized painted covers depicting blood and promising violence always enticed me to turn them over. If I was lucky, the backs of the boxes would show terrifying stills, whetting my young appetite for gore. Of course, reading the copy was the final nail in the coffin. It was often the copy that would lead to a rental. Being a curious young man, I would see patterns in phrases. Sentences that started off with "A sorority house is terrorized..." or "When camp counselors abandon the children in their charge..." were promising. From a very young age, I have always known that the slasher film has an intimate tie with sex.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-28
-
I can't really explain why I fell so deeply in love with Yu Suzuki's first console release, the Dreamcast's original Shenmue. Perhaps it was the sense of complete freedom, which allowed players to spend their income however they saw fit, completely disregarding the story in favor of video games and little toy capsules. Maybe it had more to do with the utterly enveloping environment, which went further toward becoming a totally immersive scenario than any other game in history. Who knows, maybe it was the game's setting in mid-80s Japan, two cultures I've always found fascinating (80s pop culture and traditional Japanese culture). One thing's for certain, it wasn't the emotionless, deer-in-the-headlights expression constantly sported by the story's hero, Ryo Hazuki. Regardless, I was hooked on this story of revenge, the reality in which it was set and the awkward relationships of our teenage years.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/reviews/v/shenmue-II
-
I have been ill more days than not since September. A mixture of having a child in daycare and teaching high school exposes me to every germ floating through this dreadful city. The thing with me is that every time I get sick it turns into a virus. Currently an infection has me bleeding from the nose at random intervals. Yesterday at work, when a co-worker heard of my illness she stepped back in disgust and used her two index fingers as a crucifix. This single act sparked this week's column: an analysis of infection in horror cinema.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-27
-
Mike and Jenny have very different opinions concerning 300, leading to a lengthy discussion about the film and its theme. Afterwards Ian reviews Ghost Rider. Plus Mike makes a huge announcement. [ 1:27:25 || 40.0 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_094.mp3
-
The phrase "based on a true story" has been attached to numerous films — horror and otherwise. When searching for the phrase in the Internet Movie Database, everything from Shadow of the Vampire to From Hell, The Philadelphia Experiment to Open Water - and countless TV movies - surface. Needless to say, the phrase is not often taken too seriously. Horror films which are based on actual events swing between two points: those which are influenced by a theme (i.e. Psycho) and those which go to graphical extremes (i.e. Wolf Creek). I will be examining each of these cases in the following essay.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-26
-
I was first informed of the existence of The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service at Anime Weekend Atlanta, my local yearly anime convention, last autumn. A Dark Horse editor was holding a panel on manga market trends and he showed those of us in attendance some upcoming releases. Immediately, when he described the plot of Kurosagi, I thought to myself, That's brilliant! Much like Death Note, Kurosagi's story made me wonder, Why didn't I think of that?! The manga details the daily lives of five students at a Buddhist university, each of whom possess a skill that helps them solve the mysteries of the dearly departed. When I finally managed to get a copy of the first volume, I was not disappointed. The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service can best be described as a bizarre amalgamation of Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Raines, with a smattering of Scooby-Doo here and there all wrapped up in an attractive Japanese manga shell.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/reviews/a/kurosagi-corpse-01
-
Wait a second! Mike's glad his car was broken into? He's not boiling over with rage? Oh... kay! That little conundrum aside, it's time for the April Previews. And there's talk about boobies. [ 1:01:24 || 28.1 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_093.mp3
-
Both stylistically and conceptually, Pinhead of the Hellraiser series is one of the most intriguing characters in horror cinema. While he may not have the household name recognition of Jason or Freddy, I would argue that visually he is as recognizable as a hockey mask-wearing killing machine or a gloved burn victim. Pinhead and his cadre of demonic sadists, called the Cenobites, have always been supporting characters in their own films. Like the aforementioned horror icons, this is the best way to portray a monster. It is only when the focus of the film is put on the monster, rather than the people pursued by said monster, when poor movies are guaranteed. In the strange case of the Cenobites, this has never changed and yet they still have lost their way.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-25
-
The Final Fantasy series has built its name on experimentation, constant reinvention and almost universal adulation. No two games are exactly alike, and fans who understand that basic concept have welcomed the changes between chapters with open arms. It's a risky business - taking a formula that's known, loved and praised, shaking things up a bit and waiting to see what effect it has on the overall picture. Sometimes these risks pay off handsomely, as with the materia system in Final Fantasy VII or the junctioning of Final Fantasy VIII. Other times they drag it down, as evidenced by the confusing online play of Final Fantasy XI and the job system of Final Fantasy V. Fans of the series generally have a very clear-cut list of favorites and least favorites - it's easy to write the whole line off after a bad choice, as many did with the aforementioned leap into the MMORPG genre, but if you've been paying attention you should know that sooner or later they'll hit a goldmine and deliver a game that is not to be missed. Look at the amazing jump taken between FFV, generally considered one of the worst of the series, to FFVI, critically acclaimed as one of its best. It's exactly that cyclical nature that keeps me interested in this series and brought me out to the store on FFXII's launch day, $60 in hand. I've scarcely put down the controller since.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/reviews/v/final-fantasy-12
-
Mike corrects an error before handing the show over to Desmond Reddick for Dread Media. [ 55:43 || 25.5 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_092.mp3
-
The shadow of terrorism and an unpopular war loomed over the world. Earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis claimed millions of lives worldwide. Death and destruction were plastered everywhere: on TV, in the papers, across the vast Internet, on the lips of strangers. Some feared the end times were near. When the global climate is filled with dread and political unrest, when the world seems to be fighting back, that's when zombies become vogue. And though it had been over 20 years since Day of the Dead, the time for George A. Romero's return - the time for him to show us how it's done - was at hand.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-24
-
There's lots of post-Civil War comic book talk in this episode, including discussions about Iron Man #15, Captain America #25, Civil War: The Confession, Civil War: The Initiative and The Mighty Avengers #1. There's also a frank dialogue about how the media handled the major news spawning out of Captain America #25, and what the comic book industry can do to entice the masses. [ 1:49:57 || 50.3 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_091.mp3
-
The sexy Madame Mirage patiently awaits her next kill.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/wallpaper/full/Madame_Mirage_001.jpg
-
In the first of a multipart series, Mike and James reviewed the inaugural five episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. Thanks to its moody approach, orchestral score and deep characterization, the show is considered a classic. However, only one of the five episodes demonstrated the full potential of the series. Which one was it, who did Mike call "the greatest character in all of TV" and how is "Pretty Poison" like A Tale of Two Cities? [ 1:17:32 || 35.4 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_090.mp3
-
For Jason Voorhees, it was a measured decline from scary to ridiculous. For Freddy Krueger, it was the quick shift from scary to hilarious. Michael Myers, from the Halloween film series, is perhaps the most interesting case of the bunch. Myers' history is spotted with plot confusion and continuity issues. But, it can be altered through selective viewing to make the Halloween series the greatest horror trilogy ever produced. I've been rather negative in the past two columns, so the following is my treatise on how to fix the Halloween franchise.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-23
-
Otakus rejoice! You get not one but two full hours of anime talk. First Kellen reviews Fullmetal Alchemist, then he's joined by his friend Randy for a lengthy Gundam SEED discussion. [ 2:05:31 || 57.4 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_089.mp3
-
Months in the making, our final Civil War episode has arrived! Who got his face smashed in? Who made a surprise appearance? And, most importantly, who won? [ 1:39:49 || 45.6 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_088.mp3
-
It was a time when weapons were being exchanged for hostages. Money was given to corrupt revolutionaries to overthrow communist governments. Great strides were taken in technology, especially when it comes to robotics and space exploration. But the shadow of the Cold War loomed over the world, adding a sinister atmosphere to it all. The Cold War of the 1950s and 60s pitted "us" versus "them," however, by the 1980s a general distrust for all involved had formed. And, if the rest of the Dead Cycle taught us anything, it's that humans can't be trusted.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-22
-
I'll tell the truth: when I first caught a glimpse of this game's direction, I wasn't thrilled. While one of its big selling points was its return to familiar territory - an escape from the technological espionage of the first two Metal Gear Solids and a revisitation of the jungle-themed environmental warfare of the very earliest Metal Gears - I was never much of a fan of the earlier games in the series to begin with. The 8-bit games were all too detailed, too slow-paced and too faceless to really grab my attention.
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/reviews/v/metal-gea...d-3-subsistence
-
Jenny's back! As if that wasn't enough reason to listen, there's a discussion about reading, UFC 68 spoilers and the March Previews. [ 1:06:38 || 30.5 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_087.mp3
-
For all intents and purposes he should be cinema's most terrifying figure. He is a sadistic, grotesque pedophile, whose power is only limited by his twisted psychopathic imagination. So why is it that Freddy Krueger is played for laughs?
The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/columns/reddick/reel-dread-21
Episode 02
in World's Finest Podcast
Posted
James and Mike briefly discuss how World's Finest Podcast came about, then move into reviewing five more episodes from Batman: The Animated Series: "The Underdwellers," "P.O.V.," "The Forgotten," "Be a Clown" and the two-part epic "Two-Face." [ 1:02:05 || 28.4 MB ]
The above is from: http://www.worldsfinestpodcast.com/episodes/wfp_002.mp3