The Futile Podcast

Podcast 5 pt.1
I give out my top 3 errr… 2 comics (it’s been awhile since I was an avid reader and I don’t really get into that indie stuff so it’s not much). We debate the value of a Superman. What sort of stakes and drama can possibly exist for he who is nigh omnipotent. I talk about my fondness for the Bruce Timm DC animations. Then I tell an anecdote about elucidating cinematic realism by referencing the Superman vs. Mighty Mouse debate from Stand By Me (1986). I go on to make the unpopular defense that comicbook/superhero movies becoming popular in Hollywood is a “good thing”. We compare the supers with the old time action movie protagonists who had to solve their problems with guns or fists or their wits.

“Mighty Mouse is just a cartoon, Superman is a real guy.”

Podcast 5 pt. 2
In Part 2 we continue to discuss these problem solving skills as they relate to the Rambo IV trailer and John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy (which includes The Thing (1982), Prince of Darkness (1987), and In the Mouth of Madness (1995).) We talk about Carpenter’s affective use of claustrophobic elements to create fear. Then we briefly mention something about Commando (1985) … but that’s a podcast for a different time. If you want to talk to the futile podcasters just send your emails or mp3 voicemail to ian.strope@gmail.com

Our closing stinger is of me reading a piece of dialog from The man with Two Brains (1983)
Bump Music: Aphex Twin - Richard’s Hairpiece (Beck - Devil’s Haircut remix)
Amon Tobin - Easy Muffin
AFX - 158b - dps

Podcast 4

We start off discussing the narrative superiority of 80’s music including the Ice House tape I have in my car. We move on to mention Enjoyably bad movies such as Showdown in Little Tokyo (dir. M. Lester,1991) which features Yakuza guy but not Uzi guy or Drug Dealer Guy. We cover decapitating sluts and the shift of more recent movies to PG-13 (Av.P’d). Then for some reason I bring up the David Mamet’s The Unit which had an awesome season 2 cliffhanger.

Podcast4 pt. 2

Part 2 covers Total Recall as one of Zack’s favorite movies (mainly since Ronny Cox is awesome and loves cornflakes).

Then we get into how Socialism is bad since it helps fund Uwe Boll movies like Blood Rayne (2005). We close by discussing Steven Seagal and that“insufferable scowl.”
bump music: Bowie, Glass - Heroes Symphony
Radiohead - Dollars and Cents
Texhnolyze soundtrack - A Dog’s Heart Leaping From Irritation

podcast 3

I broke this one into two sections since we cover many topics quickly. In part 1 we talk a bit about 300 and compare it to Sword and Sorcerer movies from the 80’s such as Dragonslayer (dir. M. Robbins, 1981) We talk about how dragons should look mean and not like Icarus from DBZ. And how the Go-Bots theme is the best 80’s action cartoon theme. Then we debate the merits of John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club (1985).
bump music: Nine Inch Nails: Appendage
Mogwai: Acid Food

podcast 3 pt. 2

In part 2 we continue to discuss 80’s teen movies and talk about our mutual dislike for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) even though it’s got this guy.

Then we talk about Ricky Gervais‘ Extras and the brilliance of the scene with him and David Bowie. We talk about Kevin Smith being the next potential John Hughes. We close by discussing literacy as it relates to Mike Judge’s Idiocracy (2006) and meta-narratives such as Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves.
Bump music: Boards of Canada: Heard from Telegraph Lines
Depeche Mode: Dressed in Black
Squarepusher: Papalon

This is a short podcast about:

Podcast 1

We lost our first one (probably a good thing as you’re supposed to be ashamed of being an amateur). edit: I screwed the show notes up (great first start) this one is the one where we discuss what makes a movie good. Oscar best pictures and what makes a director a good/exciting director to watch.
The theme is an original piece composed by me (Ian) and performed by Six With the Knee. There is not bump music for this one.

Just 10 minutes ago a truck pulled up the long driveway where I live in the darkness of this immense Redwood forest. It must have been a black truck because it did not set off the motion sensor light. I noticed this truck’s lights from the window of the above garage apartment where I live. I wasn’t so much scared as pissed. Having just seen Tombstone I was feeling braver than I suppose was smart. I proceeded to go outside turning on a few lights in the house doing my best to make it apparent to this mystery truck that I would not go easily. But I wasn’t thinking. Sure better to die on your feet if it comes to that. Perhaps that is something akin to courage but I doubt it. For me it is a hint about my character. I am a fighter and not a lover. I would rather tackle a problem and attempt through hardship and frustration a victory. Perhaps there is no peace for me. I thought as the truck pulled away honking it’s horn two times as if to let me know that it knew exactly what I did. If the people in that truck had wanted to kill me and my family they could have. OR maybe I’m just paranoid since I’ve heard a mountain lion was sited near my house. Sleep will not come easily for me tonight … I think I have Nihilophobia (it’s what Pres. Roosevelt spoke about after Pearl Harbour) which ironically has almost no listings on Google.