The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 9

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 14:46:00 -0800

Aloha everybody!

First off, I would like to extend my sincere apologies to our fans for the rather extreme delay in getting this episode to you. My life outside of the podcast has been pretty busy as of late.

Apology aside, let's recap. Sometime ago, we did promise a review/discussion episode of our podcast centered around Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
And now, we are proud to present to you that particular episode!

So please sit back, put your X-Wing on autopilot, and enjoy the fruits of our labors!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

DISCLAIMER

The opinions presented in this episode (or any episode of our show) are just that. OPINIONS. They are not meant to serve as an attack, in any conceivable form, on any person or organization.

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Warning! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.
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Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 8.09

Recording Date: January 7, 2016

Running Time: 116 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Maka (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Format

1. Lead-in (Mr. A)

2. Episode VII Discussion/Review (All)

3. Expectations for Episode VIII (All)

4. Lead-out (Mr. A)

NO MUSIC was used for this episode!

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Coming Soon...

Our next podcast episode!

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Feedback is always accepted here at the Otaku 5-0 Show.

You may either drop us an e-mail at otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 8

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:31:00 -0800

Episode 118

Aloha everybody!

For our next installment of our podcast, we vote on our favorite movie trailers!

Joining us on the panel is Grub, a mutual friend of both Mr. A & Panda Mac.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruit of our labors!

And of course.... MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

Aloha,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

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DISCLAIMER

The opinions presented in this episode (or any episode of our show) are just that. OPINIONS. They are not meant to serve as an attack, in any conceivable form, on any person or organization.

--------

Warning! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.

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Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 8

Recording Date: December 16, 2015

Running Time: 57 minutes

Panelists

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Grub (Guest Contributor)

Click here to download episode.

Format

1. Lead-in (Mr. A)

2. The Otaku 5-0 Voting Segment - Movie Trailers (Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, Captain America: Civil War, Independence Day: Resurgence, Star Trek Beyond, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, X-Men: Apocalypse)

3 The Movie Trailer Discussion Segment

4. Lead-out (Mr. A)

Musical Notes
- Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

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Coming Soon...

Our next podcast episode!

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Feedback is always accepted here at the Otaku 5-0 Show.

You may either drop us an e-mail at otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: 8th Season, Episode 7

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:08:00 -0800

Episode 117

Aloha everybody!

I know this is a bit late, but I am only now able to upload the newest episode of our audio podcast!

This time around, Mr. A, Panda Mac, and myself (along with my friend Seneca) cast votes to decide the "Star Wars" movies in quality, from worst to best. We haven't come up with a name for this segment idea, but we're open to suggestions from our audience, so drop us an email at: otaku50podcast@gmail.com.

Also on this episode: our reaction to the, "Captain America: Civil War" trailer!

So, please sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labors!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

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DISCLAIMER

The opinions presented in this episode (and in ANY episode of our show) are just that. OPINIONS. They are NOT INTENDED to serve as an attack, in any conceivable form, on any person or organization.

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content.

Listener discretion is advised!

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Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 7

Recording Date: December 3, 2015

Running Time: 87 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Format

1. Bad Joke of the Day (Mr. A)

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. The Star Wars Voting Segment

4: The "Captain America: Civil War" Trailer Discussion Segment

5. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes:

Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...

Our next podcast episode!

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Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an email to otaku50podcast@gmail.com.

Post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: 8th Season, Episode 6

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 13:42:00 -0800

Episode 116

Aloha everybody!

I am pleased to present to you the latest episode of our audio podcast!

For today's discussion, we tackle Ronda Rousey's first UFC loss to Holly Holm, and our first impressions about Fallout 4 and Star Wars: Battlefront!

So sit back and enjoy!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

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DISCLAIMER

The opinions presented in this episode (and in ANY episode of our show) are just that. OPINIONS. They are NOT INTENDED to serve as an attack, in any conceivable form, on any person or organization.

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content.

Listener discretion is advised!

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Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 6

Recording Date: November 18, 2015

Running Time: 108 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Format

1. Bad Joke of the Day (Mr. A)

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. This Week In MMA (All)

4. First 10-Hours of Fallout 4 (All)

5. First 10-Hours of Star Wars: Battlefront (All)

6. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes

- Opening Theme: Kefka's Theme from Final Fantasy VI

- Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...

Our next podcast episode & The Rise & Fall of Doctor Who!

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Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an email to otaku50podcast@gmail.com.

Post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 5

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 11:16:00 -0800

Episode 115

Aloha everybody!

I am proud to present to you our latest podcast episode!

With anticipation high for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, we decided to continue our season-long geekfest by including more discussion about our favorite far, far away galaxy!

As usual, enjoy the fruits of our labors!

Mahalo,
~ Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

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DISCLAIMER

The opinions presented in this episode (and in ANY episode of our show) are just that. OPINIONS. They are NOT INTENDED to serve as an attack, in any conceivable form, on any person or organization.

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content.

Listener discretion is advised!

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Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 5

Recording Date: November 5, 2015

Running Time: 83 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Panda Mac (Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Format
1. Opening Bit: Bad Joke of the Day (Mr. A)

2. Lead-in (Mr. A)

3. Random Chatter, including discussion on Seth Rollins' injury and vacating of WWE Title (All)

4. Star Wars: Theories & Stuff We'd Like To See! (All)

5. Favorite... Star Wars Video Game That's NOT Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR)

6. Lead-out (Mr. A)

Coming Soon...

Our next podcast episode!

~~~~

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an email to: otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Star Wars Bonus Segment

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:16:00 -0700

Aloha everybody!

I am pleased to present to a special bonus segment of our podcast, in which we talk about Star Wars spin-offs/series that we'd like to see.

Mahalo, and enjoy!

~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

DISCLAIMER

The opinions presented in this episode (and in ANY episode of our show) are just that. OPINIONS. They are NOT INTENDED to serve as an attack, in any conceivable form, on any person or organization.

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content.

Listener discretion is advised!

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Star Wars Bonus Segment

Recording Date: September 23, 2015

Running Time: 31 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Maka (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Click here to download bonus segment.

Format
1. Lead-in (Totoro, Maka)

2. Star Wars Spin-offs/Series That We'd Like To See

3. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes:
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...

Our next podcast episode!

~~~~

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an email to otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 4

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:34:00 -0700

Episode 114

Aloha everybody!

Today, I am pleased to present our most recent helping of podcast goodness!

As promised, Maka and Mr. A bring are present to give you their more comprehensive review of this past weekend's The Amazing Hawaii Comic Con!

So I invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

DISCLAIMER

The opinions contained in this episode (and in ANY episode of our show) are strictly that. OPINIONS. They are NOT INTENDED to serve as an attack, in any conceivable form, on any particular person or organization.

WARNING! This episode contains mature language and adult content.

Listener discretion is advised!

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 8.04

Recording Date: September 23, 2015

Running Times: 79 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Maka (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Format (Podcast Episode)
1. Opening Bit: Bad Joke of the Day (Mr. A)

2. Lead-in (Maka)

3. This Week In MMA (All)

4. The Amazing Hawaii Comic-Con Post-Convention Review Segment

5. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...

A Special Bonus Podcast Segment!

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Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an email to: otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 3

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 17:34:00 -0700

Episode 113

Aloha everybody!

Our podcast team returns for yet another stream-of-consciousness episode!

For this episode, we are joined by Guest Contributor Rerun (who is now known as Clue), who appeared on a few episodes back in Season 2.

Inside this episode, we give our first impressions/feedback of the upcoming Amazing Hawaii Comic Con, which will be held on September 18, 19, & 20th here in Honolulu at the Hawaii Convention Center.

However, we would like to issue the following correction:

During our discussion for this topic, Maka cited the start-end times for the convention at 10 am to 6 pm for Day 2, and 10 am to 3 pm for Day 3.

However, the ACTUAL start-end times for this convention are from 10 am to 7 pm (Day 2) & 10 am to 6 pm (Day 3).

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I would like to point out that the discussion that takes place is just a FIRST IMPRESSION of what Maka (and to some degree Clue and Mr. A) have observed thus far.

On our very next episode, Maka (who will be attending the convention) will be providing a more comprehensive review of the proceedings.

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And at this time, I would like to re-state the following disclaimer:

The opinions contained in this episode (and in ANY episode of our show) are strictly that. OPINIONS. They are NOT INTENDED to serve as an attack, in any conceivable form, on any particular person or organization.

So, now that we got that out of the way, please sit back and enjoy the fruit of our labors.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

WARNING! This episode contains mature language and adult content.

Listener discretion is advised!

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 8.03

Recording Date: September 17, 2015

Running Time: 98 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Maka (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Clue (Guest Contributor)

Click here to download episode.

Format

1. Opening Bit: Quote of the Day (Totoro)

2. Moviematic 5-0: The Pitch - "Squirt"

3. This Week In MMA (All)

4. The Amazing Hawaii Comic Con Pre-Kon Discussion Segment (All)

5. Moviematic 5-0: The Return (Totoro, Mr. A, Maka, Panda Mac)

6. Lead-out (All)

Musical Notes:

-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI

-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

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Coming Soon...
Our next podcast episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 2

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 15:07:00 -0700

Episode 112

Aloha, everybody!

Totoro here, with not just the newest episode of our podcast, but some additional good news.

As of today, I am now able to post all NEW episodes of our revived podcast on iTunes!

To subscribe, just search for, "The Otaku 5-0 Show" on iTunes.

For tonight's episode, we are unveiling a new topic:

Franchise-Killer!

The premise of the topic is simple enough: Each time we feature the topic, we will pick a FRANCHISE of a certain type of media (movies, video games, TV series, etc.) that, in our humble opinion must die a horrible death.

Well, that's about it. I would like to extend my personal thanks to our audience for their patience as we continue on. Our audio quality issues will be addressed either later this season or during our off-season break.

As always, please enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

DISCLAIMER: ADULT LANGUAGE!

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 8.02

Recording Date: September 9, 2015

Running Time: 103 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Maka (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Format

1. Opening Bit: Quote of the Day (Totoro)

2. Random Chatter (All)

3. This Week In MMA (Panda Mac)

4. Back To School: TV Shows We Loved Back In Middle School/Junior High (All)

5. Franchise Killer: Videogames (All)

6. A Geeky Conversation Re: Star Wars (All)

7. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes:

-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI

-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

~~~~~~

Coming Soon...
Our next podcast episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Audio Podcast: 8th Season Premiere!

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 23:37:00 -0700

Episode 111

Aloha, everybody!

I am proud to present the first episode of our audio podcast!

Although I must insert a caveat here: While the quality of the audio is MUCH better than our test footage, we can do better. I ask you, our audience to be patient as we continue to work through our difficulties.

Additionally, we are unable to post our episodes to iTunes at this time due to newfound technical difficulties. However, you may still listen to the episode here on our website or by downloading it as a free .mp3 file!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 8.01

Recording Date: August 19, 2015

Running Time: 99 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Format

1. Opening Bit: Bad Joke of the Day (Mr. A)

2. Random Chatter (All)

3. This Week In MMA (Totoro & Panda Mac)

4. Sequels H20 (All)

5. Trekflix - Star Trek As A Netflix Series? (All)

6. Movie Baseball: Pitch A Comic Book Movie (All)

7. Sign-Off

Coming Soon...
Our next podcast episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com

OR...

Post a comment on this blog!

Mr. A's Review of.....The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Mr. A) — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 19:55:00 -0700

The Plot

Napoleon Solo, former soldier turned professional thief turned international CIA operative, is tasked by his handlers to bring in Gaby Teller, the rough and tumble daughter of a missing former Nazi scientist turned American collaborator in hopes of locating her father. Standing in his way and ruining his general good time is top KGB agent and all around Russian Superman Illya Kuryakin.

The two agents would love nothing more than to rip each others throats out, but they have bigger fish to fry. Forced to work together the trio must race against the clock to stop Alexander and Victoria Vinciguerra, wealthy Nazi sympathizers, from forcing Gaby's father into building them a nuclear weapon.

With tensions running high and lives on the line it's up to our heroes to put their egos aside and man up.

The Review

Oh, Man From U.N.C.L.E., there was such high hopes for you...

Here's the thing, this film wasn't bad, not by any stretch, but it really wasn't that good either. The opening credits imposed over various Cold War news footage set the tone well and the introductions of the main characters and subsequent chase scene through East Berlin were fantastic, even the following scenes involving Napoleon and Illya butting heads were well done. The characters were decently thought out and the actors portraying them (especially Armie Hammer) brought real gusto and knew when to chew scenery and when not to. The settings, costumes, and cinematography were impeccable, the action scenes, shootouts, chases, all that were awesome and even the bits of humor had me rolling in my seat...But that's it.

The story was bland and predictable, spy movie tropes were rampant, and the pacing was dirt. It was good dirt, real high-end stuff, like you knew it would make your tomatoes grow faster, but it's still dirt.

One of my major problems with the film story-wise is that Napoleon (played by Henry Cavill who looks better in a suit and tie than a cape) is pegged to be the main character, but he really doesn't feel like it. Illya has the heart breaking backstory, Illya has the complex emotional issues, and Illya is the one you make a connection with. Had this been an origin film for the intrepid KGB operative I think I would have enjoyed it much more.

The Verdict

With a golden cast and enough retro set pieces to keep your eyes entertained, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is worth a watch...if you're renting. If you're looking for something to watch on a $6 Tuesday or whatever you have in your area then it might even be worth that, but anything more than that you're probably better off saving your money. It might be my fault, I might have hyped myself up too much for this film, but in the days where 007 and Mission: Impossible can crank out a sold film every few years why can't we have a well-crafted throwback film based on a critically-acclaimed property that isn't Get Smart?

5/10

Well that's it for this one. At least it didn't have Tom Cruise in it.

Damn, I think I know what I'm reviewing next.....

Jaa mata,

Mr. A (Executive producer, international man of mystery)

Audio Podcast: Test Episode

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:22:00 -0700

Episode 110

Aloha everybody!

As we are gearing up for a full production run, we would like to present to you a sample episode!

I would like to apologize in advance for the quality of the audio (yes, we know it's a bit on the soft side.)

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show Audio Podcast: Test Episode

Recording Date: August 12, 2015

Running Time: 44 minutes

Panelists

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Smylex (Producer)

Panda Mac (Producer)

Format

1. Lead-in (All)

2. Drug Testing, Other Jokes, & Deep Thoughts (All)

3. Re: UFC (All)

4. Re: Dragon Ball Super (All)

5. Re: Beetlejuice 2 (All)

6. Closing Thoughts

Click here to download episode.

Coming Soon...
Our next podcast episode (with better volume this time!)

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 7, Episode 2

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Tue, 5 Feb 2013 12:52:00 -0800

Episode 109

Aloha, everybody!

I proudly present the second episode of our 7th incarnation!

Besides our patented brand of stream-of-consciousness content, this episode features the triumphant return of fellow contributor (and Whovian) Jam, who has not been heard on this podcast since Episode 13 of Season 6. We are also joined on the panel by Kekumanshoyu of Kawaii-kon fame, who puts in some actual time as a panelist on two topics!

But finally, a technical note. I have been made aware that the sound quality of our recordings is not quite as clear as before. That is because the venue we are currently using is partially open, which leads to slight modulation of our voices during the recording process. Rest assured that we are currently working to find a solution to this problem that doesn't necessarily involve finding another venue.

In the meantime, though... Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Sincerely,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 7.2

Recording Date: February 2, 2013

Running Time: 130 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Q (Contributor)

Haz-Matt (Contributor)

Dash (Contributor)

Smylex (Contributor)

Kekumanshoyu (Guest Contributor)

Format
1. Lead-in (Totoro)

2. Pick/Phail of the Week

3. The Gateway "Drugz" (Comic Books) Segment

4. The Top 4 Films of 2012 Segment

5. The "Doctor Who" Segment (Totoro, Haz-Matt, Mr. A, Jam)

6. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes:
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "The Doctor Who Theme" from Doctor Who (2010), composed by Ron Grainer & Delia Derbyshire, arranged by Murray Gold, orchestrated by YouTube user Levus28
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
Our next podcast episode and another feature article from Totoro!

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog!

Totoro's Fantastic Four of 2011

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:55:00 -0800

Aloha, everybody!

Yes, I know that this article is long overdue. But, now that we are back in production, I invite you to take a trip back down memory lane with me to the films that graced our screens just two short years ago.

2011 is remembered as one of the more bleak years in cinematic history, at least from a creative standpoint. According to this article from Wikipedia, twenty-eight sequels were released - the most in a single year. But, for a cinephile like me with a decidedly geeky palette, there were plenty of films for me to see and enjoy.

Alright, let's stop stalling. Before moving on to this year's list of selections, I proudly present to you my favorites from the previous articles:

Totoro's Fantastic Four of 2008

#4: Tropic Thunder

#3: Iron Man

#2: WALL-E

#1: The Dark Knight

Totoro's Fantastic Four of 2009

#4: Sherlock Holmes

#3: Inglourious Basterds

#2: Up

#1: Star Trek

Totoro's Fantastic Four of 2010

#4: Iron Man 2

#3: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

#2: Inception

#1: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

And of course, the guidelines:

1) I have seen the movie during its original theatrical run.

This is almost a personal matter of pride. For me, the hands-down best way to see any film is in the theater. So, in order for me to even consider a film for this article, I must have observed it in its natural habitat.

2) I have re-watched the movie at least once, either in theaters or on DVD.

As someone of limited means even before this difficult recession, I am particularly picky when it comes to watching any type of entertainment. So, if I have seen a movie either a 2nd time in theaters or watched it again after it comes out on DVD, then it is definitely a contender for this list. If anything, this demonstrates a movie's "replay value".

3) I have quoted dialogue from the movie to either a family member or a friend.

As an aspiring writer, I am drawn to great stories and storytelling. But as an actor with a pretty good memory, I am drawn to great dialogue. Over the years, I have amassed a substantial library of movie quotes for use at any opportune moment. So, if I have heard myself repeat a line from any particular movie, than it either was a favorite or at least something worth remembering.

And now... the opening paragraph.

A common theme among entertainment aficionados is to compile a list of either the best or worst examples of a particular subject. Movie critics have their list of the top 10 movies of the year, while fashion watchdogs have a list of the best and worst-dressed celebrities. Even Maxim, which I like to call "The Essential Guide To Understanding Modern Man" has their own list (The 100 Hottest People).

While my own contributions may not matter much in the long run, a part of trying to stand out against a large landscape of voices is to do something different, especially when it comes to things that I feel passionate about (in this case, movies.) So, in homage to both this "listing" tradition and to my mother's favorite superhero team, I am proud to present to you...

Totoro's Fantastic Four of 2011

#4: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Having read the original novel by John le Carré during my high school years, I could see a bit of myself in George Smiley - a dutiful, observant worker bee who knows his way around the labyrinth of his institution's inner workings. So I was excited when I heard a feature-film adaptation would soon enter production with Gary Oldman (one of my favorite actors) being cast as Smiley. I was more intrigued upon finding out that the movie was being produced by Peter Morgan (The Last King of Scotland, The Queen, Frost/Nixon), who has emerged as one of my favorite screenwriters. Expectations were high because I had also seen the 1979 British TV miniseries starring Alec Guinness (another fave actor of mine) in the role of Smiley. Would this movie meet expectations or would it be a middling attempt to capture the subterfuge and spirit of the novel that helped re-define the spy genre? Well, it must have. Otherwise, why would I include it on this list?

Gary Oldman's highly-nuanced, understated performance as George Smiley put him as a shoe-in for the Best Actor Oscar (however, he later lost to Jean Dujardin for his performance in The Artist). I also had the pleasure of seeing it in theaters with fellow Otaku 5-0 Executive Producer Mr. A and former contributor Zyconis, who both walked away with mixed reviews. This film, however, fit with my own sensibilities perfectly- deliberate, yet intimate in its portrayal of 1970's Europe at the height of the Cold War. The film's director (Tomas Alfredson), cinematographer (Hoyte Van Hoytema) and editor (Dino Jonsäter) have all previously worked together (most notably on the vampire film Let The Right One In) and here they have crafted another great movie. Apparently the film took six months to edit, and looking at the finished product, I can understand why. If one scene was out of place, the film collapses.

Regarding acting, while it's true that Oldman's performance as Smiley is the lynchpin that holds the movie together, he is helped by an able all-star cast, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Toby Jones and Mark Strong. While doing research for this article, I learned that a sequel is currently in development. Well, you can be sure to count me in for a screening or two. What a great film!

#3: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
What can I say about the Harry Potter series that hasn't been already said? This franchise, in both its print and cinematic form, will hold a special place in my heart alongside The Lord of the Rings and the Thrawn Trilogy as my all-time favorite pieces of literature. After having already seen the first installment (which made last year's list of selections) I entered the theater eager for a thrilling conclusion. Suffice it to say that I got just what I asked for.

In this final installment, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his compatriots Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), after a brief interlude at the wizard bank Gringotts, make their way to Hogwarts school, where Harry prepares for his epic showdown between himself and the Dark Wizard Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).

David Yates, who directed this film and three other preceding movies of the saga, leaves this timeless tale on a largely satisfactory note. While my problems with movie adaptations are well-known to any fan of our audio podcast, people left the theater with a mix of profound joy and sadness - joy that we have just been through THE fantasy series of the current generation, but sadness because we were apprehensive of what to look forward to.

Indeed, I was also a bit nervous. With Harry Potter now left to the ages, the fantasy genre would be hard-pressed to find a suitable alternative to fill the void. Of course, while a few contenders would emerge (including The Hunger Games and Hobbit trilogies), I didn't find Hunger all that appealing, and Hobbit was going through a phase, filled with delays and disputes. Additionally, my personal life was getting a bit more hectic, so free time (especially enough to sit down to read a new piece of literature) was becoming a commodity.

But soon the dust settled, and I gradually came to my senses. I remembered that the best stories are timeless, and can be revisited over and over again. And with that in mind, I decided to make some changes, and adopt my current policy of reading a book for two hours every evening, before bedtime. Since that time, I have trudged through many books, including the esteemed His Dark Materials and A Song of Ice and Fire sagas. So you see, it was because of Harry Potter that I learned a valuable lesson - in the journey of life, you should never forget the friends you pick up along the way. And I am proud to call myself a friend of Mr. Potter and his band of misfit wizards.

#2: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
I have loved the Sherlock Holmes stories since I was a teenager. I remember first hearing of the detective while reading through the Encyclopedia Brown series of young adult books by Donald. J. Sobol. However, as much of a fan as I was of the great detective, I found that his various cinematic incarnations were a bit... middling.

Every single actor who has stepped into the shoes of the great detective has in some way failed to meet my own expectations of the character. And so, upon hearing that the first movie was going into production with Robert Downey, Jr. portraying the eccentric sleuth, I was quite intrigued. And when Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch., RocknRolla) was announced as the film's director, I knew it would turn out to be a match made in heaven.

I argued upon seeing the first film that Downey's own troubled past provided him with the necessary context he needed for his pitch-perfect performance. Equally perfect was Jude Law in his portrayal of the steadfast and earnest Dr. John Watson. That, combined with Ritchie's choice to show a gritter, more realistic 19th century European setting ended up as one of my favorite movies of 2009. The only weak link in the production was Rachel McAdams as "the woman" Irene Adler, but such mistakes are easily forgiven when the final product is so compelling.

Of course, time (as it must) marched slowly onwards, and I learned that a second film was going in production. Again intrigued, I dived once more into the Holmes canon, re-reading four Holmes stories in preparation: A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Final Problem in particular after learning that Moriarty would be featured as the primary villain.

This film ends up being far superior to the previous installment. Holmes and Watson are once again drawn into yet another tangled web of intrigue, this time with Moriarty at its center, pulling strings that reverberate throughout all of Europe. Although McAdams returns in a brief stint as Irene Adler, it is the addition of Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris (in a scene-stealing turn as Professor James Moriarty) and Stephen Fry (who turns in a hilarious performance as Mycroft Holmes) that drive the film's story towards the inevitable climax atop a mountain fortress astride a large waterfall. This was a great movie, and I will re-watch it for a long time to come.

#1: The Muppets
I must confess that I'm an unabashed Muppet purist. I only accept the films produced during Jim Henson's tenure (The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan) as the TRUE movies of the franchise, with every film afterwards a pale imitation of Henson's original efforts.

Of course, I have justifications for this reasoning. Consider: prior to the release of The Muppets, two of the films produced after Henson's death were just adaptations of existing literary works that featured the Muppets as characters. Additionally, the only feature film with an original story, Muppets from Space, ended up $2 million short at the box office. To me, the Muppets seemed like a quaint piece of old-school Americana that has lost its relevance.

And so, I was a quite skeptical when it was announced that Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, TV's How I Met Your Mother) announced that he was writing and starring in a new Muppet movie. Many questions went through my mind, but only one needed to be answered: 1) Do these characters still have a place in our collective culture? Additionally, prior to this film, Segel wasn't known for his screenwriting cred. While Sarah Marshall was quite a funny film, I didn't really see how this pairing could possibly work.

All that changed when former Contributor Zyconis and I watched the film. Segel and the producing team have accomplished the rare feat of not just introducing the Muppets to a new generation of audiences, but they also included enough references for older fans of the characters to enjoy. I also really liked the movie's story, which involved Segel's character Gary and his Muppet "brother" Walter getting Kermit and Co. back together to put on a telethon to raise enough money to save the old Muppet Theater building from being torn down by a greedy oilman. On that note, credit must be given to Chris Cooper, who turned in a scene-stealing performance as greedy oilman Tex Richman. (maniacal laugh).

So for the time being, the Muppets are back. But only time will tell whether they'll be here to stay. As I write this, a second film (entitled The Muppets... Again) is in development, which will feature Tina Fey (Mean Girls, TV's Saturday Night Live & 30 Rock), Ricky Gervais (The Invention of Lying, TV's The Office) and Ty Burrell (TV's Back to You & Modern Family). If you ask me, I think the future is looking very bright indeed!

See you at the movies!
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Audio Podcast: Season 7, Episode 1

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:27:00 -0800

Episode 108

Aloha everybody!

I am pleased to report to our audience that after an event-filled break over the holiday season, the next phase of our journey has begun!

New venue... New year... But still the same entertainment-related discussion delivered in our patented stream-of-consciousness form.

Before moving onto the rest of this post, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest contributor, Dash, to our podcast team. We hope that you put your complimentary membership card, tweed jacket and double-bladed lightsaber to good use!

So sit back, and please enjoy the fruit of our labors. It's going to be a hell of a season!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 7.1

Recording Date: January 20, 2013

Running Time: 151 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Maka (Executive Producer)

V (Contributor)

Haz-Matt (Contributor)

Dash (Contributor)

Format
1. Opening Bit: Bad Joke of the Day (Maka)

2. Lead-in (Maka, Mr. A)

3. Pick/Phail of the Off-Season

4. The "TV & Movies That They Don't Make Anymore (But They Should)" Segment

5. The "Why Did Spider-man Die Like A Bitch?" Segment (Mr. A, Haz-Matt, Totoro)

6. The "Obligatory Discussion Of Personal Growth" Segment

7. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes:
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "Scarlet of the Campus" from Revolutionary Girl Utena, "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
Our next audio podcast episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Please send us an e-mail at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog.

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 15

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Tue, 6 Nov 2012 12:56:00 -0800

Episode 107

Aloha everybody!

I regret to inform you that due to technical difficulties, I am only able to present a portion of what would've been our Season 6 finale episode. Among the topics that were lost were a discussion on the AMC series "The Walking Dead" along with a special segment bidding farewell to Jupiter, one of our Executive Producers for this show.

So in lieu of a proper farewell, let me take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt "Mahalo" to Jupiter for her consistent generosity, wisdom and passion to this show. I wish her well in her future endeavors and the void that will be left by her absence will be quite substantial indeed.

I have often said that this podcast is a journey with no particular destination in mind. And I have been privileged to share this journey with not just with our audience, but with the talented people that have recorded our podcast episodes with me. Jupiter has been with this show since our first season, and although her part in journey has come to its end, she will always remain a presence in our thoughts.

And so, in tribute to Jupiter's contributions over the past four years, I am proud to include her all-time favorite segment: the Laura Bailey Interview!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 6.15

Recording Date: November 3, 2012

Running Time: 19 minutes

Panelists

Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Jupiter (Executive Producer)

Maka (Executive Producer)

Smylex (Contributor)

Buma (Special Guest Contributor)

Haz-Matt (Special Guest Contributor)

Format

1. Lead-in (Maka)

2. The"Star Wars" Segment (All except Buma)

"Lost" Segments
3. The "Walking Dead" Segment
4. The "Farewell to Jupiter" Segment

Note from the Producers: We fully intend to re-record the "lost" segments during a later recording session. However for the time being, please enjoy what we are able to offer.

Musical Notes:
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clip: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
Our next audio podcast episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 14

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:31:00 -0700

Episode 106

Aloha everybody!

I am pleased to present the next episode of our audio podcast!

For this week's episode, I would like to announce that we have fulfilled a promise to our former Producer Strawberry. Back when we were on hiatus, Strawberry posted on our Facebook page that if we should ever return to production, she'd like to hear a topic about how we got our podcast names/handles. Well, Strawberry... Promise fulfilled!

This episode also features the 12th installment of one of our favorite topics, Moviematic 5-0!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 6.13

Recording Date: September 21, 2012
Running Time: 73 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Maka (Executive Producer)
Gypsy (Producer)

Format
1. Lead-in (Maka) & Bad Joke of the Day (Mr. A)

2. Moviematic 5-0 XII: The Pitch - "Kingdom"

3. TV Shows That We Wish Were Still In Production (All)

4. The "How We Got Our Podcast Names" Segment (All)

5. Top 3... Authors (All)

6. Moviematic 5-0: The Return

7. Pick/Phail of the Week

8. Lead-out (Totoro, Maka)

Musical Notes
-Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Gato's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "Catch (boon)", from Ah! My Goddess
-Ending Theme: Breach of Contract from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
Our next audio podcast episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 13

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:14:00 -0700

Episode 105

Totoro isn't going anywhere, thank you very much!

Aloha everybody!

We have returned!

I am pleased to announce that we have completed post-production work on the most recent episode of our audio podcast

On behalf of the staff of The Otaku 5-0 Show, let me take this opportunity to thank all of our fans for keeping in touch with us throughout our long hiatus. We all look forward to giving you MORE of the same lighthearted, stream-of-consciousness rambling that you have grown accustomed to after all these years (4, in fact!)

I would like to extend a personal "Mahalo" (that's "Thank You" in Hawaiian) to Kekumanshoyu, DJ Buma (Lord of the Butishake) and our podcasting colleague Haz-Matt for joining us on this MAMMOTH return episode!

Mahalo,

~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised!

Click here to download episode.

Show Notes

The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 6.13

Recording Date: September 15, 2012
Running Time: 140 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Maka (Contributor)
Jam (Contributor)
Gypsy (Contributor)

Special Guests
Kekumanshoyu & DJ Buma (Co-Administrators of Kawaii-kon)
&
Haz-Matt ("The League of Extraordinary Geeks" Podcast)

Format
1. Lead-in (Totoro)

2. Random Chatter (a.k.a. what the heck have we been up to for the past 17 months) (All)

3. Topic From The Past: A Serious Conversation About... Video Game Adaptations (Episode 2.5)

4. The Kawaii-kon Segment (Totoro, Jupiter, Maka, Angel & DJ Buma)

5. The "Doctor Who" Segment (Totoro, Mr. A, Maka, Jam, Gypsy & Haz-Matt)

6. Lead-out (Totoro, Maka)

Musical Notes
-Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Gato's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
- Interstitial Clips: "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "The Doctor Who Theme" from Doctor Who (2010), composed by Ron Grainer & Delia Derbyshire, arranged by Murray Gold, orchestrated by YouTube user Levus28
-Ending Theme: Breach of Contract from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
Our next audio podcast episode!
(Never thought you'd hear us say THAT again, did you?)

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog!

An Official Announcement From, "The Otaku 5-0 Show!"

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Wed, 5 Sep 2012 16:47:00 -0700

Hello all!

I would like to announce that on September 15th, 2012, the Otaku 5-0 staff will be gathering after a year-long hiatus to hang out and record our "comeback" podcast episode!

We are looking forward to getting back into the swing of things, so to all our fans: STAY TUNED!

~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

An Official Announcement From, "The Otaku 5-0 Show!"

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:37:00 -0700

Alright!

It is official! The Otaku 5-0 Show will OFFICIALLY resume production in a few weeks' time!

We would like to invite ALL of our fans, past and present, to continue to support us as we continue our journey!

~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A's review of.....Attack The Block

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Mr. A) — Wed, 7 Sep 2011 19:10:00 -0700

The Story:

Sam, an overworked nurse from Lambeth, is having a horrible night. She's far from her family, her boyfriend is halfway across the globe doing Red Cross work, and she just got mugged by five young boys.

Moses isn't having a good time either. Not having a solid home life he's turned to selling weed, shoplifting, and most recently, mugging overworked nurses from Lambeth.

But when their mugging is thwarted by what seems to be some kind of monkey, Moses and his crew take their anger out on the beast and viciously murder it.

Soon they realize that it wasn't a monkey at all, it's an alien, a weird furry alien. They also realize that maybe...just maybe...killing it wasn't such a hot idea.

With an impending alien invasion knocking at their door (literally) and a vengeful drug dealer not far behind, Moses and his crew must now team-up with Sam and the other tenants in their housing project in order to survive.

Why are these aliens hellbent on killing everyone Moses has come in contact with? Why won't anyone believe them? Will they make it out alive or will they end up alien snacks?

Look out, people, the aliens are here...and they're gonna attack the block.

The Review:

First things first, the casting is what really makes this film. Moses and the rest of the punk kids really make this movie worth watching. Each one of them brings a level of reality to the story that, in my opinion, older actors couldn't portray.

The second thing that makes this film awesome is the humor. While there isn't as much of it as I would have liked, it does break up the horror moments and allows you a bit of down time before the next jump into the freaky alien action.

Speaking of which, the alien designs are probably one of the best I've seen in a long time. I don't know if they were short of budget or if they really intended them to look they way they do, but it works for the film and it makes them all the scarier.

And speaking of scared, there wasn't as many jumpy moments in the film as you would think and the gore was pretty minimal, but I'm not a fan of those sort of things anyway so there was just enough for my taste.

I found the soundtrack a bit lacking, but it did help the humor along a few times so I suppose it can be forgiven.

And finally, even though this is Joe Cornish's first time in the director's chair, he obviously knows what he's doing.

The Verdict:

Action, aliens, humor, and horror, Attack The Block should not be missed. However, if you don't make any of those words I just gave you, please steer clear and go see something else (30 Minutes Or Less maybe?).

I personally will be seeing this film again in theaters...let's just hope this time there won't be any annoying couple talking throughout the film...you know who you are.

8/10

Jaa mata,

Mr. A

(Executive producer)

Mr. A's review of.........Fright Night

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Mr. A) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:35:00 -0700

The Story:

Former nerd Charlie Brewster actually has a pretty good high school life. He's got a girlfriend who loves him, he lives next door to a stripper, he's got a mom who gives him his space, and besides his motorcycle breaking down in the middle of the road, things couldn't get any better.

Well, until people start disappearing that is.

Suddenly Charlie's life is thrown into a tailspin. His girlfriend is on the verge of breaking up with him, his mom is flirting with the new neighbor, and his former childhood friend "Evil" Ed Lee, after trying to convince Charlie that his neighbor Jerry is a vampire, ends up missing, too.

But that can't be right. Jerry? A vampire?

Sadly it is and Charlie's entire life is now just a race against time to stop Jerry and save his family.

Turning to Las Vegas magician and self-proclaimed vampire expert Peter Vincent, Charlie must devise a plan to put Jerry down and save the people in his town from being turning into blood-sucking freaks.

Can he do it or will he end up one of the walking dead himself?

Welcome, everyone. Welcome.....to Fright Night!

The Review:

So right off the bat the soundtrack is awesome, including personal favorites like "Pumped Up Kicks" from Foster the People and "99 Problems" by Hugo.

The acting is awesome with most memorable performance by former Doctor Who star David Tennant. As soon as he appears on screen the film gets better. On the down side his character wasn't featured as much as I would have hoped.

Anton Yelchin holds his own as the reluctant hero Charlie Brewster, I must say that he is now one of my favorite actors.

Unfortunately I found Colin Farrel's portrayal of Jerry to be a bit underwhelming. Not to say he didn't get the job done or that he wasn't a good villain, there was just something missing.

The pacing was a little off for the first half of the film, but it does even out around the half-way mark.

The effects are a bit shoddy when it comes to one particular chase scene and during the final battle, but the rest of it is quite good.

The direction wasn't really anything new, but it worked for the film.

The Verdict:

With more kick-assery and humor than the original, Fright Night delivers on quite a few levels.

There really isn't much gore, however there is quite a lot of blood so please don't take your kids to see this, this isn't some sparkly BS like Twilight.

There are a few frightening moments, but any adult should be able to handle them.

As a last bit of advice I suggest you don't see it in 3-D, I've been told by many people that it really wasn't worth the extra $5.

Now get off your ass and go see Fright Night!

7/10

Jaa mata,

Mr. A

(Executive producer, vampire hunter)

Mr. A's review of........30 Minutes or Less

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Mr. A) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:48:00 -0700

The Story

Nick, a lowly pizza delivery boy, is having a pretty rough time. He sucks at his job, he just got into a massive fight with his best friend Chet, and to top it off the love of his life (who happens to be Chet's sister) is moving out of state to take a high paying job at a hotel chain.

Dwayne isn't having such a hot time either. He hasn't done a whole lot with his life, his lottery-winner father treats him like crap, and the only friend he has in the world is Travis who lives in a junk yard and makes bombs as a hobby.

However, unlike Nick, Dwayne has a plan...

Hiring and out-of-town hit-man, Dwayne plans on having his father killed so he can get his inheritance and open a tanning salon (which would be a front for a brothel BTW). Not having the money to pay for the hit, Dwayne and Travis kidnap our poor hero Nick, strap a bomb to his chest, and force him to rob the local branch of a woefully under-protected bank.

With nothing to lose but his life, Nick sets out to get the cash, get the girl, and to hopefully get his life back on track.

Think he can do it? Don't worry, he does this for a living (inside joke).

The Review

So the casting was perfect. Jesse Eisenberg plays the incredibly pathetic Nick perfectly, but you do see a bit of his character from Zombieland bleed though so I guess that he's just really good at playing pathetic characters.

Nick Swardson does a great job as Travis, being stupidly funny at one moment and playing a great straight-man the next.

And a special shout-out to Aziz Ansari for letting his humor shine through as Chet ("'Do you think Lisa would go out with me?' You mean that Lisa? Hello no, she's laughing in your face! No texting in my class!")

The directing wasn't anything to praise, but it wasn't horrible either.

The pacing was sort of slow in the beginning, but once the bomb vest goes on it does pick up quite a bit and there's enough humor to cover whatever down-time there is in the film.

The action beats were pretty far apart, but they kicked a lot of ass when they did finally come around. In all honesty, if there wasn't any comedy in this film it would actually make a pretty good action-drama.

The Verdict

Funny, entertaining, and with just enough naked boobies, 30 Minutes or Less should not be missed. If you like action, comedy, or any combination of those words you should go see it in theaters at least once (I plan on seeing it twice).

But please, please, please, don't take your kids to see it...

8/10

Jaa mata,

Mr. A

Mr. A's Review of.....Green Lantern

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Mr. A) — Wed, 6 Jul 2011 23:25:00 -0700

The Story

Hal Jordan is--

--Okay, I honestly can't talk about this film. Find out why below...

The Review

This film is the biggest piece of crap I've ever seen. This makes Superman Returns look like Wrath of Kahn! First off, the CGI was HORRIBLE. The costumes looked like they were photoshopped onto the actors, Oa looked like it was a reject city from Lord of the Rings, and the Guardians looked liked wrinkled Smurfs.

Now let's talk about the acting. Ryan Reynolds plays Hal Jordan like he's playing Tony Stark mixed with Han Solo. He's more suited to play either Guy Gardner or Kyle Rayner.

The plot was so hastily thrown together and the pacing was so damn choppy that NONE of the film makes any sense around the half-way mark.

The Verdict

DO NOT SEE THIS FILM!!!

Seriously, it's a waste of time.

-5/10

OMG, I honestly can't say anything else about this movie....

Jaa mata,

Mr. A (Green Lantern, sector 2814)

Totoro's Review Of... "Stardust"

otaku50podcast@gmail.com (Totoro) — Tue, 17 May 2011 12:40:00 -0700

As promised, here is my review of the 2007 film "Stardust"... So, let's get this party started!

CAUTION! SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Story
The nondescript English village of Wall holds a wonderful secret. The village's namesake stone wall near the town (and specifically, its large hole) is actually the gateway to the magical Kingdom of Stormhold. While enjoying a romantic evening with his friend/beloved Victoria (Sienna Miller), Tristan Thorne (Charlie Cox) sees a star fall from the sky and land in the forest behind the wall. Tristan then promises to bring the star back for Victoria as a way of showing his affection. Little does Tristan knows that this one act will set off a series of events that will forever change his life.

The Review
As this movie is an adaptation, there are some divergences from the original source material (Neil Gaiman's 1998 novel). But, as I had not read the book prior to seeing the film, I cannot explicitly comment on any major changes on that front.

But I will comment first on the acting in this film. Charlie Cox does a fine job playing the dramatic lead, but Michelle Pfeiffer turns in an a deliciously evil performance as the oldest of three witch sisters on a quest for immortality. The rest of the cast, Claire Danes, Mark Strong, David Kelly, Kate Magowan and Ricky Gervais also turn in strong performances. Fantasy stalwart Ian McKellan puts in a vocal cameo as the film's narrator while Peter O'Toole also appears as the dying King of Stormhold. But, my customary "Scene Stealer Award" goes to Robert De Niro for his performance as Captain Shakespeare.

After my initial viewing, I was surprised to discover that this film was directed by Matthew Vaughn (who had previously directed Layer Cake, and would go on to direct both Kick-Ass and the forthcoming X-Men: First Class). He, along with editor Jon Harris (Snatch., 127 Hours) kept the film at a frenetic yet considered pace.

The Verdict
Upon the advice of Jupiter & Mr. A, I was told to see this film. After delaying for almost two months, I finally set aside some time to watch it, and I found myself regretting that I had not watched it sooner. While I don't view this film on the same level as The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter sagas, it still remains a good fantasy film nonetheless.

7.5/10

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

The Otaku 5-0 Show!

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 9

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 8

Audio Podcast: 8th Season, Episode 7

Audio Podcast: 8th Season, Episode 6

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 5

Audio Podcast: Star Wars Bonus Segment

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 4

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 3

Audio Podcast: Season 8, Episode 2

Audio Podcast: 8th Season Premiere!

Mr. A's Review of.....The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Audio Podcast: Test Episode

Audio Podcast: Season 7, Episode 2

Totoro's Fantastic Four of 2011

Audio Podcast: Season 7, Episode 1

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 15

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 14

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 13

An Official Announcement From, "The Otaku 5-0 Show!"

An Official Announcement From, "The Otaku 5-0 Show!"

Alright! It is official! The Otaku 5-0 Show will OFFICIALLY resume production in a few weeks' time! We would like to invite ALL of our fans, past and present, to continue to support us as we continue our journey! ~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Mr. A's review of.....Attack The Block

Mr. A's review of.........Fright Night

Mr. A's review of........30 Minutes or Less

Mr. A's Review of.....Green Lantern

Totoro's Review Of... "Stardust"

Alright!

It is official! The Otaku 5-0 Show will OFFICIALLY resume production in a few weeks' time!

We would like to invite ALL of our fans, past and present, to continue to support us as we continue our journey!

~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)