Show #87: My Spoons! They're Still Here!

It's the start of a wonderful new holiday tradition here at SOTSM, with this year's stocking stuffer-sized entry being 1997's adaptation of A Christmas Carol!

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How many animated versions of A Christmas Carol are there? A lot, so we should be in fine standing for the next couple of years at least. This does mean we have to wade through a couple of the more dubious versions such as this example from DiC Entertainment. Don't let the cast list fool you, although Tim Curry is a wonderfully sassy Ebenezer Scrooge, it's a real slog to get through and not just because of the awful songs. It does feature a Frank Welker dog however, and isn't that reason enough to watch? (Nope.)

THE SHORT VERSION

Terrifying apparitions

Bad accents

Remember Scrooge? He's back! In dog form!

Show #86: Oh No! A Lovely Garden!

It's the most wonderful time of the year; another Hobbit movie means another Hobbit cartoon movie, The Return of the King!

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The live action Hobbit trilogy has finally come to a close and with it we must also round out our experiences with the animated J.R.R. Tolkien works, which we have covered previously. This final chapter brings back Rankin Bass and Topcraft who brought us the quite enjoyable 1977 Hobbit, taking a similar approach from that film which doesn't quite gel with the scale of this saga of war between good and evil. An imbalance of focus, difficulties with compressing the narrative and some non sequitur musical interludes make for a bizarre and frustrating viewing experience.

THE SHORT VERSION

You're late pal.

Skeletor?

"THIS IS THE SONG OF THE THIRD BLOGPOST PICTURE"

Let’s Go JoJo! – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure OAVs (2000)

We've gotten the band back together for a special Jojo session, this time about the 2000 OAV covering much of the material we've already gone over but in a much more compressed fashion. Listen up, and find out if it Stands up to our Jojo judgement!

Show #85: The Fatue of Liberty

It's a flurry of freaky French film fun with director Sylvain Chomet's acclaimed feature The Triplets of Belleville!

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Monsieur Chomet is a man after our own hearts, a real old style director who does things his way or the highway even if it can get him into a spot of bother occasionally. When he does get a film out it's something to savour, as is the case with the Triplets of Belleville. Where else can one find a story of a bunch of old ladies and a dog embarking on a rescue mission to save a professional cyclist from the wine mafia, not to mention to have it be so visually bizarre and with barely a word of dialogue, and have a finished piece so engaging and full of love for the medium of animation. They don't make 'em like they used to but some folks still remember.

THE SHORT VERSION

Determined women

Corporate goons

Sweet jams

Show #84: He Can't Wear Shorts, He Hasn't Got Legs

There's something strange in our neighbourhood... It's Brian Smith and Greg Driver here to round up some revenants with The Real Ghostbusters!

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Returning from the great beyond of 80s cartoons comes a defining series of that era. The Real Ghostbusters does not have a gorilla in a hat. What it does have is the smartest and funniest writing of any show around from that tackiest of decades, both staying true to the comedy of its source material and expanding on the characters, their technology and the world they inhabit. We watch only the good parts mind, none of this business with Slimer getting top billing, and we are handsomely rewarded with an entertaining, good looking and sometimes even thought-provoking cartoon.

Don't forget to cast your vote; #TeamSlimer or #TeamSnarf !

THE SHORT VERSION

Spooky ghosts

Literary references

Deceased politicians

Show #83: Put A Hockey Jersey On That Dracula

Our bags are packed for our annual Halloween break, and we have some reservations with Hotel Transylvania!

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Genndy Tartakovsky's directorial debut! Four words that should excite any animation aficionado, however there are a couple of strings attached to that statement. Brought in to revitalise an already lengthy production Tartakovsky brings his distinct visual style and penchant for physical comedy to the CG feature realm, easily the best thing about this film. For what it's worth Adam Sandler and his cohorts aren't nearly as exasperating as they could have been but with such a wealth of characters and setting it's a shame something more fulfilling didn't emerge.

THE SHORT VERSION

Daffy Dracula

Daddy Dracula

DANCIN' DRACULA

Show #82: Shut Up Huffer!

Niall & Dwayne merge with Greg Driver and Paul Shipley to form a super robot dinosaur to tackle the awesome might of season one of The Transformers!

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A podcast much delayed, but we shall never be silenced. Even by the cold, hard reality that another cartoon from our youth ain't quite what we thought it was cracked up to be, a fanciful memory eroded by cruddy animation and a relentless soundtrack but not enough to wear away a solid foundation of great voice acting, cool robots and crazy schemes. Considering our appreciation of the subsequent properties which arose from these humble origins it's only fair that we give their source its due, a source of passion that was stayed with us unwaveringly even after all these years.

THE SHORT VERSION

Flawless artistry

Power struggles

ROBOT DINOSAAAAARS

Show #81: You Got A Permit For That Bracelet?

The end is in sight for the journey of the new Avatar, but does Legend of Korra Season 3 set us up for a satisfying conclusion?

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We started out the year with a Korra-cast on season 2, but never did we dream we'd be hitting the third AND fourth chapters in such a short span. Season 3 of Legend of Korra is a damn sight better than the previous installment, upping the ante in the action stakes, mostly ditching the awful romance plots and even producing some credibly menacing villains. However the focus of the show remains haphazard and the more interesting elements are derailed by superfluous nonsense that often has not much to offer beyond a dose of fanservice. The finale leaves us on a bittersweet note, open to a number of intriguing possibilities we fervently wish the creators will capitalise on in the conclusion.

THE SHORT VERSION

Murder

Handi-capable

Hey, remember this guy?

Show #80: Mahwty! Mahwty Wake Up!

Martin Schneider comes by to pack us into his beat-up station wagon for a long emotional road trip through A Goofy Movie!

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One of the lesser appreciated works of Disney's filmography and all the more impressive for the depth and heart on display for a film spun off from a TV sitcom. A Goofy Movie shows an unforeseen complexity to the character of Goofy and his relationship with his son Max. Over the course of their cross country journey they learn how to truly communicate, whether it be with each other or with other significant figures in their life, and gain a better understanding of each other and themselves, all through the intervention of Bigfoot and the music of pop star from the future Powerline.

THE SHORT VERSION

Goofy the nuanced character

Family bonding time

Be excellent to each other

Let’s Go JoJo! Episode 24 – High Priestess (Part 2)

The cross continent adventure arrives finally in Egypt and it's time to take a breather until January. But will the Stardust Crusaders get there safely? Featuring heroic handshakes, dental destruction and audio atrocities. Listen up!

Show #79: A Hundred Lassies

In a sophisticated con to drive up page views we call upon the power of cute puppies and learn that All Dogs Go To Heaven!

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High time for another Don Bluth film as we haven't broached the subject, one very close to Niall's heart, since Titan A.E. All Dogs Go To Heaven for the most part looks and sounds like what you'd expect from a film made by ex-Disney staff but crucially takes the premise of its title in bold and often dark directions. The narrative is often disjointed, likely from too many writers all having a say in the finished product, but it winds up to a touching ending with the right amount of closure. And then they went and made a sequel anyways!

THE SHORT VERSION 

Dog Heaven

Dog Hell

Adorable orphans

Let’s Go JoJo! Episode 23 – High Priestess (Part 1)

Reunited and feeling so good, the Stardust Crusaders find time on their undersea voyage to Egypt to make a few phone calls to loved ones and have a spot of coffee. But as we all know by now placing these lads in any mode of transport is bound to end in disaster. Featuring morphing monstrosities, product placement and dial-up diversions. Listen up!

Let’s Go JoJo! Episode 22 – Judgement (Part 2)

He's back, and sassier than ever! And just in time to save Polnareff from the clutches of Cameo and his mecha-genie Stand and deliver a well deserved comeuppance. Featuring revolting revenge, mean misdirection and a sizeable submarine. Listen up!

Let’s Go JoJo! Episode 21 – Judgement (Part 1)

Painful memories of the dearly departed come flooding back to the Stardust Crusaders, with Polnareff stricken most grievously. Can the outrageous claims of mecha-genie Cameo save him from his melancholy? Featuring remarkable resemblances, daft desires and pop star poultry. Listen up!

Let's Go Jojo! Episode 20 - Death 13 Part 2

Stranded in the middle of the desert and what's more Kakyoin is losing the run of himself. Or is he just rightfully suspicious of a certain creepy baby? If only he could get a good night's sleep. Featuring horrendous hairdos, Stand stand-up and disgusting dinners. Listen up!

Let's Go Jojo! Episode 19 - Death 13 Part 1

Joseph Joestar is behind the wheel of a plane so you know trouble's in store, but what the Stardust Crusaders hadn't counted on is a homicidal Stand ready to kill them in their sleep. Featuring grievous bodily harm, a flight into terror and yet more animal cruelty! Listen up!

Let's Go Jojo! Episode 18 - The Sun

It's no fun in the sun for the Stardust Crusaders as they find themselves trapped between a rock and a laser firing orb of death on their crossing to the Red Sea. Featuring some sly salesmanship, maniacal mirth and how to mount a camel. Listen up!

Let's Go Jojo! Episode 17 - The Lovers Part 2

Ultimate jerk Steely Dan has the Stardust Crusaders over a barrel, and now it's up to Kakyoin and Polnareff to journey inside ol' Joe Joestar for a spot of germ warfare. Featuring a case of crabs, felony framing and a cathartic comeuppance. Listen up!

Show #78: Turtles Of Mass Destruction

While we venture on and on in search of our lost podcast guests we undertake a small sidequest into the fantastic world of Amon Saga!

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An eighties fantasy OAV with a difference, springing forth from the fertile creative mind of one Yoshitaka Amano with the help of a stable of fine anime talent. Amon Saga has all the makings of a tale of high adventure as we follow our hero's quest for revenge in a realm of bizarre sights and sounds, however much in the tradition of OAVs and eighties fantasy flicks in general it has the distinct sense of being only the first chapter in a longer story that unfortunately has yet to be told.

THE SHORT VERSION

Stoic adventurers

Merry companions

Terror incarnate

Show #77: Madagascar Is In The Heart

We're back from our impromptu summer holidays, and we want to share tales of our travels to a remote island in the North Sea where we learned How To Train Your Dragon!

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A rare gem of a film from the often dubious Dreamworks Animation, livening up the oft-spun yarn of a boy and his dog with the inclusion of Vikings, dragons and explosions. In the midst of this spectacle however is a ton of heart and a surprising maturity with themes of empathy, staying true to oneself and learning to overcome disability. Now why couldn't that be the thing that Tumblr latched onto?

THE SHORT VERSION

Ferocious dragons

Father/Son relationships

Dumb Tumblr stuff