Show #65: He's A Class Act That Mako

Happy New Year! But before we can continue on our journey we must put to rest the frightful spirit of Avatar: The Legend Of Korra Season 2.

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If you missed out on the previous season then you needn't worry as Legend Of Korra reverts nearly every character back to square one, resulting in some pretty reprehensible behaviour on the part of our alleged heroes. Things pick up midway through and continue to a strong finish but in a frustrating season of pointless plotlines, risible romances and boring bad guys it may have come too late.

THE SHORT VERSION

Our hero!

Just desserts.

THE GUN SHOW

Show #64: Why Couldn't You Jus' Mend Yo' Ways?

It's a cold Christmas night in the offices of SOTSM and Co. whereupon we are visited by the grim spectre of Christmas Carol: The Movie!

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Our first Christmas episode ever! And out of all the cartoons with a festive theme we could have chosen we begin with this one, a made-for-TV movie masquerading as a theatrical feature that feels flatter than the last dregs of Xmas party champagne. Visually average bar the odd artistic flourish with some pretty okay voice performances but commits the cardinal sin of wasting the tremendous power of Nicolas Cage, a fact we attempt to alleviate in our own special way.

If you're in need of more podcast shaped Christmas cheer we also made an appearance on the festive special of Dynamite In The Brain, jamming to a righteous party mix of twenty or so versions of Jingle Bells.

THE SHORT VERSION

 The Ghost Of Nicolas Cage

The Ghost Of A Better Movie

The Ghost Of Scrooge's Lovelife

Show #63: Turn On Their Smile Reflexes

We've got a seat in the public gallery waiting for you in this high profile case as SOTSM takes the stand in Science Court!

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Courtesy of Tom Snyder of Dr Katz fame and his remarkable Squigglevision animation technique comes Science Court, an educational cartoon that's actually fun to watch! It imparts important lessons to kids (and a few adults perhaps) on the scientific principles that make this crazy world go round but keeps the subject engaging with liberal doses of dry humour. Order it for your primary school today!

THE SHORT VERSION

Reputable juries

Ace attorneys

Child geniuses

Show #62: The Parfait After Tomorrow

Martin Schneider returns to deliver a forecast of film fun in Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs!

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Wringing an enormous amount of potential from an old children's picture book Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs spins a bright, humourous and touching story along with a loving homage to blockbuster disaster movies.That it does all this while subverting numerous cinematic tropes makes it stand out as a unique and wonderful feature and a refreshing alternative to other comparatively cynical animated movies.

Martin's Twitter

Current Releases Movie Reviews

THE SHORT VERSION

Mad scientists

(Un)seasonable weather

Positive representations

Show #61: Baywatch Orcs

Bound in the darkness no more it's time to shed a little light on Ralph Bakshi's Lord Of The Rings!

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We live in an era of privilege where JRR Tolkien's fantasy saga has received the blockbuster film treatment so it may be a tad unfair to compare it against this 1978 effort from Ralph Bakshi of Fritz The Cat and Fire & Ice fame. That aside numerous problems exist in the way it handles its narrative and that's before we get to the visuals which certainly don't hold up with age. An ambitious effort for its time but which ultimately leaves you wanting.

THE SHORT VERSION

Seamless visuals (and is that John Belushi on the left?)

MC Saru The Man exits the stage

GO BALROGS!

Show #60: Garguys and Gargirls

Jake Bourke has broken free of his prison of living stone just in time to join us for some Gargoyles!

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An experiment by Disney in the 90s to create an action show which turned out pretty well, Gargoyles is a dramatic and thematically complex cartoon. Alongside contemporaries such as Batman: The Animated Series and Swat Kats it brought some much needed substance to daytime animated fare as well as keeping a good portion of the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast in business. We talk loss, betrayal, cool voices and Jake reveals his innermost desires.

Jake's Twitter

Jake's Site

THE SHORT VERSION

ANGEL OF THE NIIIIIGHT

Legitimate businessman

Pranks

Show #59: Tiger Doesn't Make Any Sense

There's big trouble in Little China and all over the world as well in the third season of Jackie Chan Adventures!

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It's Jackie Chan Adventures! So obviously we love it, although this season is littered with caveats. The writing feels a lot less sharp in places than previous episodes, with dialogue and storylines clearly targeting a younger audience than before. On the plus side we have the wonderful James Hong channeling Lo Pan to great effect and the better plots take enough crazy turns to justify viewing.

THE SHORT VERSION

Better call Jack Burton

A makeover

You guys suck!