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Talisman Readalong Kickoff!!

Posted in books, Stephen King with tags books, Stephen King, Talismanalong on August 1, 2013 by Paxton

I was looking at the calendar the other day and I noticed that I posted my review of Stephen King’s The Stand almost 1 year ago today. August 7, 2013. I had actually finished the book about a month before on July 9, 2013. It was nice to finally fill that hole in my King bibliography. I have several other holes I hope to fill before long (I encourage you to run with every joke that comes to mind in connection with that last sentence. I would.).

Anyway, I’m a big fan of Stephen King and I’ve read much of the man’s bibliography. However, there are still several King books I’d like to get off my internal “King reading list”; ‘Salem’s Lot, Needful Things, On Writing, The Running Man, The Talisman.

I was talking to my good friend Trish (who I did the Stand readalong with) and she’s been really digging King lately as well. She just finished readalongs for It, Under the Dome and The Shining. I told her about the outstanding King books I feel I still need to read and she said she’d do The Talisman with me. How awesome is that? Even after all her goings on (she actually gives birth to a tiny human sometime around Labor Day) she still agrees to read this book with me. That’s why I love Trish.

So anyway, the result of all this is that Trish and I are doing a readalong for The Talisman. I’m pretty excited about it. I hope this book is good. I know I like Stephen King, but I’ve never read any of Peter Straub’s books. However, in anticipation, I bought a Peter Straub novel I’ve had my eye on for a while called Shadowland.

Even if The Talisman is terrible, I’ll probably read Shadowland anyway. Then I’ll know for sure if it was King or Straub that killed the book.

The Talisman readalong officially starts today, August 1, but I finished my previous book early so I started reading it on Tuesday. I’m not very far in but I definitely have some thoughts forming. I’ll be tweeting those thoughts under #Talismanalong. So join me, won’t you?

I have a few articles planned during the readalong including an old ass magazine interview with King and Straub as well as some half way point check ins and the like. It should be fun. So grab your copy and get started. And jump over to Trish’s site and tell her you’ll be joining us.

Cult Film Club vs Classic Film Jerks podcasts in the TAG Summer Crossover series

Posted in movies, podcast with tags Classic Film Jerks, Cult Film Club, movies, podcast on July 31, 2013 by Paxton

To finish out the TAG Podcasting Network Summer Crossover Series, the Cult Film Club and Classic Film Jerks podcasts teamed up like the Justice League of Podcasting to discuss some classic-y, cult-y films.

First, Jaime, Shawn and I traveled over to those Jerks’ house to discuss the Humphrey Bogart noir classic, The Maltese Falcon (1941).

None of us had seen it so we discuss the actors, the settings, the great character names and of course, we determine if we think this movie deserves it’s “classic film” status. Listen to the show on iTunes, Stitcher or grab it right here.

Next up, the Classic Film Jerk crew came over to the Clubhouse with us for Cult Film Club Episode 9 where we discuss the cult detective comedy, Zero Effect (1998).

Starring Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller, this quirky comedy is a modern indie take on the Sherlock Holmes dynamic and considered neo-noir which would allow us to bookend this nice discussion of noir films. We have a lot of fun and I think you’re going to like these shows.

Check out Episode 9 of The Cult Film Club podcast on iTunes, Stitcher or listen to it online right here.

Nerd Lunch Episode 96: The Replicators are still broken

Posted in fast food, food, podcast with tags Nerd Lunch Podcast, podcasts on July 30, 2013 by Paxton

Continuing or climb towards triple digits, welcome to episode 96, which is a direct sequel to Nerd Lunch Episode 9. Unfortunately Jay couldn’t return for this installment so we brought on a brand new guest, Dubba from the blog On Second Scoop and the podcast The Nosh Show.

In this episode we are still in our broken spaceship from episode 9 in uncharted space. Jeeg was able to use some cheap alien labor to fix our replicators a bit more and allow us the addition of 5 condiments for use on the meals we chose from last time. Unfortunately this time around, it’s going to be a bit harder to come to a consensus as some of us aren’t really condiment lovers (don’t look at me). It’s a fun and interesting discussion.

Download this episode from iTunes or listen to it on Feedburner.

Or listen to this episode online right here.

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A tour of the Golf ‘n Stuff arcade from the 1984 Karate Kid movie

Posted in movies, pop culture with tags arcades, Cavalcade Arcade, movies, pop culture, video games on July 24, 2013 by Paxton

Late last year I took a look at the Pinball City arcade from the 1980 movie Midnight Madness. It featured lots of good, awesome vintage arcade games for us to take a look at. It was a pretty popular article so I thought I’d take a look at another movie arcade. This time, I’m looking at the famous Golf n’ Stuff arcade from The Karate Kid.

Here is that spinning red sign.

Until grabbing screenshots for this article, I never noticed the sign has a hole in it right by the ‘S’ in Stuff. Interestingly, the director, John Avildsen, has been posting film he took in 1983 when they were rehearsing for shooting The Karate Kid. Some of the Golf n’ Stuff rehearsals are out there. The spinning sign has that same hole in it. I love that continuity.

So, Daniel and Alli go to this mythical Golf n’ Stuff amusement center for a first date. The first part of the date is quickly spent in the Arcade. Here they are walking into the entrance.

Inside during this adorable music montage (Can You Feel the Night by Baxter Robertson) we get a glimpse of a few vintage video games. Click any of the below screenshots to see them BIGGER. It makes it easier to see the games in some instances.

Super Chexx Hockey

Up first is this awesome Super Chexx Hockey by ICE. Manufactured in 1983. There was also a regular Chexx Hockey released the same year, but I think the Super version was what was used in this scene.

Daniel appears to score a goal on Alli and he sort of overreacts to his victory. During this douchey hockey celebration, right behind Mr Larusso, is a Stern Flight 2000 pinball machine from 1980.

Nope, no video games here. I just think Elizabeth Shue is achingly adorable in this movie. I thought we should all just take a moment and drink it in.

Okay, let’s move on.

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TAG Network Summer Crossover 2013

Posted in podcast with tags Nerd Lunch Podcast, podcasts, The Atomic Geeks on July 23, 2013 by Paxton

The next week will be a crazy one for the podcasts on the TAG Network. We are getting all mixed up.

For episode 95 of the Nerd Lunch Podcast, The Atomic Geeks; Digio, Christian and Downs, take over and are joined in the fourth chair by Ryan from the Perpetual Geek Machine podcast to do their version of Fan Fiction reviews. Lots of awesome fan fic content including an Incredible Hulk/Knight Rider crossover, some Good Omens fan fic and another Police Academy sequel? That’s also erotica? I love you fanfiction.net.

Since the Geeks laid seige to the Nerd Lunch Podcast, CT, Jeeg and I took over the Atomic Geeks podcast for Episode 217. While over there we bring back the long missing Geek News segment and then hold each other hostage for a round of Gunpoint Reviews. Fun is had by all and I get to drop more than my share of profanities in my efforts to mimic Mr Mike Downs.

So download and listen to the latest episode of Nerd Lunch today featuring The Atomic Geeks from iTunes or listen to it on Feedburner.

Also, don’t forget to download episode 217 of The Atomic Geeks to hear the Nerd Lunch crew this week. You can also get that episode on iTunes or directly on the Atomic Geeks website.

There is a lot more TAG Network Crossover craziness going on in the next few weeks. My other podcast, Cult Film Club, will cross over with Classic Film Jerks in a two episode epic throwdown. Expect to see those episodes tomorrow. Also, the other podcasts; Geek Fallout, Bloke Show and Random Nerdness will switchup hosts to permanently confuse their listeners. It should be a lot of fun.

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