Web Series Review: Co-Optitude

On December 10, 2015December 10, 2015 By James CastroIn ReviewsLeave a comment

As I mentioned in my Ready Player Two! post, I’m a huge fan of local co-op. No matter how Microsoft tries to push the benefits of online multiplayer it will never take the place of playing a game with friends in the same room and experiencing actual social interaction.

In what I consider to be my spur of the moment “Days before Christmas” series I thought I’d cover one of my favorite webseries, Co-optitude.

When Geek and Sundry first launched I immediately became addicted to Wil Wheaton’s Tabletop and Felicia’s The Flog. One of my favorite early Flogs was her playing Streets of Rage on the Genesis with her brother, Ryon. The series was one of my favorite retro series and watching the two of them play it proved to be tremendously entertaining.

From the early Flog plays, including Gunstar Heroes, Battletoads, and Golden Axe they launched their own webseries Co-Optitude where…yep they play video games and hilarity ensues.

Over Thanksgiving I had a Fallout 4/Co-Optitude binge and realized just how great the series is.

In a world where everyone has a let’s play channel on YouTube what makes Co-Optitude stand out?

Felicia Day: I mentioned in my review of You’re Never Weird on the Internet (almost) that Felicia is one of those rare people you feel you know when you watch her in her videos or in her interviews. This is never truer than watching her interact with her brother. The laughter, the rage, the creativity shown in the insults and profanity used in the show are absolutely genuine. Sure, there are scripted moments, but even in those you can tell they enjoy making these shows and how much fun they are having.
Ryon Day: Anyone who thought Felicia may have been born out of some kind of magical internet realm, Ryon Day proves that whatever circumstances made Felicia into the charming, smart, strange person she is also factored into the creation of her brother. Ryon is every bit as funny as his sister and also is a great internet personality in his own right. Watching the two of them snipe at each other, compete in one and two player games, trade barbs, and demonstrate their game playing acumen (or lack thereof) is endlessly entertaining. As much as I love Felicia, I have to admit Ryon ends up with the catch phrases and some of the most memorable moments in the show. And speaking of catch phrases…

I missed out on this shirt…I’d kill for one.

Catch Phrases/Quotes: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a web show develop more on-the-fly catch phrases as this one. There’s the now iconic (used correctly, Jim Sterling) “Let’s play this f*cker,” but there have also been others, “We’re Gucci” (Meaning “we’re good,” though they couldn’t remember where it came from), the poorly conceived, “We didn’t get far but we got…fun,” and one that may be common but I’d never heard it before, “Oh they know about you” (usually combined with some insulting reference). There’s the terrific sign off, “Don’t forget to Sh-Like-ubscribe” or “Like, share, and subscribe” crammed into one portmanteau. Who doesn’t like giving beloved, classic video game characters silly names, “Anuss, Poopy, Nypps, Smegz, Nutsaq, and Taintiez?” Not only that but random sing-a-longs (Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” is a favorite) make frequent appearances.
Bad Game Play: For some reason watching people pick up and play a game, especially classic games, with no experience and no pre-knowledge of the game is vastly amusing. It’s essentially the way we used to play games when we got them. No one read the books. We just jumped in and tried them out. Made dumb mistakes, argued with our friends and family who played, blamed the game for our poor abilities. We did all of it in our own homes not on the internet. It takes some guts (“Nickelodeon” Guts even) to be a bit buffoonish on the internet, especially playing Mario, Sonic, Pokémon, and Final Fantasy games, series with rabid fan bases. Even as much as I love some of the series, watching Felicia and Ryon play FFVII and name their characters Poopy Esq, Anuss II, and Tantiez is damn funny.

Apparently Dr. Watson has his own catch phrase. It’s “Whazzuuuuuup?”

Hector and Jess: This summer when Felicia was doing her book tour and Ryon was changing jobs the Geek and Sundry Twitch team took over Co-Optitude for about two months. The Felicia and Ryon show has a unique feel. The Hector and Jess shows have a unique feel of their own, but one that was no less hilarious and entertaining. Watching them play through Catherine (it’s a weird game that I LOVE. I have the special edition with the odd polka dot boxers…) or even better Sherlock Holmes, made for a great time. I wouldn’t mind a permanent Co-Optitude spin off series with these two.

Co-Optitude has joined Jim Sterling’s Jimquisition, Cinemassacre’s Angry Video Game Nerd, and another show I’m saving for my next “Days Before Christmas” post as my favorite web playlists. They’re hilarious, genuine, fun-in-spirit, and are always good for a much-needed laugh.

Feeling a bit down from seasonal depression? Watch some Co-Optitude and a couple of Days will definitely improve your day.

Book Review: You’re Never Weird on the Internet (almost)

On December 4, 2015December 3, 2015 By James CastroIn Books, ReviewsLeave a comment

Like everyone else on the internet I love Felicia Day. If you don’t know who she is stop what you’re doing right now, find some of her work, and then you will love her too. She is the perfect combination of charming, awkward, clever, adorable, classy, and vulgar to make for an absolutely unique personality. More than anything, you always get the impression she is being completely genuine.

Earlier this year she released her memoir, You’re Never Weird on the Internet (almost) and, even though I don’t usually read “celebrity” books I knew it would be a must buy.

The most pleasing aspect of the book is Felicia’s writing style. If you’ve ever heard her audio commentary on The Guild DVDs, watched her play video games badly with her equally hilarious brother Ryon, or seen The Flog on her Geek and Sundry YouTube Channel, you should be familiar with her style. She speaks very quickly, almost breathlessly as ideas, words, and concepts just flood over you too fast to comprehend. Then when you do absorb them you wonder how anyone could possibly express themselves that quickly… I’m not naive enough to think the book was written as a stream of consciousness, but while reading it you can picture Felicia in her pastel Flog set telling you these stories and even imagine the cutaways and edits for her parentheticals and asides. The writing style is without a doubt in her voice and has her unique hammers-in-a-typewriter cadence in the best way. It’s like having a conversation with her.

Though it’s a memoir, she does an excellent job of making the book profoundly personal, without making it a gossipy tell-all. She never dishes or trashes anyone. Even when it’s clear some of the vaguely referenced parties would deserve it. She keeps stories of her personal life classy, sharing only the bits that advance her narrative. The only person she ever is really hard on is herself, and as she seems to be an OCD perfectionist (something I can relate to a little bit…just a little) I can understand that. In one of her best anecdotes she relates how she struggled to get an “A” in one of her college math classes, studying all night, killing herself to keep her 4.0, even against the professor’s advice. When she maintained her 4.0 and got the “A” she craved she actually found later that it wasn’t really worth anything. All the stress and trouble it caused didn’t equate to anything real once the course was over. It’s something that those of us who obsess can truly relate to, as we find out the things we worried about and lost our minds over really didn’t matter too much after all in retrospect.

Copy of The Guild graphic novel signed by the cast!

Much of the middle section of the book is about her creation of The Guild which was fascinating as it’s how I, and a number of others, first found her. This section was eye opening as it shows the ups and downs of a creative person creating with no budget, but it also shows what can be accomplished if you try hard enough and have the right support group and even how something you love and created can be utterly all-consuming.

Felicia described herself as an absolute workaholic. A habit that she describes as helping her create the brilliant *Guild* but ultimately self destructive if left unchecked.

My only complaint, if you can call it that, is actually that I wanted the book to actually be longer. She tells wonderful stories of her home school life; multiple classes of violin, singing, and performance; her move to Hollywood and the awful acting sessions and auditions. But I would’ve liked to hear what it was like to succeed, to get the part on Buffy the Vampire Slayer or to later become Charlie on Supernatural. I’m not sure if those are well-known stories I just haven’t come across yet, but her perspective on those successes would have been interesting to hear.

By far the most moving sections are the last two. Even though I’m not a “constantly online” person I did notice a period where Felicia seemed to withdraw some from her shows, at least the Geek and Sundry ones I watched, and the book explains why. Having had friends with severe depression and had minor bouts myself this section was by far the most powerful. Hearing how someone with similar compulsions was able to shake off the negative and focus on the positive was profound. The last narrative section deals with the GamerGate nonsense (and yes I’m calling their “movement” nonsense…) from late last year and earlier this year. I actually remember reading the post she references in book and it’s interesting to see the fallout from that, and how sometimes just having an opinion when you’re a public personality (even when only “situationally famous” as she calls herself) can have major effects on your life.

If you are a fan of Felicia Day, Geek and Sundry, internet culture, or creativity in general You’re Never Weird on the Internet (almost) is a terrific read. Felicia lets you inside her unique and creative mind for 260 pages and gives you greater appreciation for what can be done if you never give up and fully embrace your weird. Once you do you’ll find a wonderful world full of more people who appreciate it than you ever imagined.

Felicia Day’s Website

The Geek & Sundry page

Geek and Sundry’s YouTube Page

The Guild Home Page

Thanksgiving 2015: A Reflection

On November 29, 2015 By R. PettyIn ProjectsLeave a comment

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and as my RevPub partner said, it’s a no-man’s land holiday. I see fewer people post what they are grateful for throughout the month. I think I saw one person on FaceBook do that this year. People don’t seem to care much. Thanksgiving has become a gathering holiday centered around food, and that’s okay. However, I do want to take a moment to list some things I am grateful for:

Life – Having lived in the South my entire life and working with people the last 20 years, I am familiar with this scenario:

Me: How are you today?

Customer: I’m <fantastic, good, great>. Any day above ground is a good day.

And you know what? They are absolutely right. There is so much death and sickness in the world, I am simply thankful to have life. Not just to be alive, but also have a high quality of life.

Creativity – I have often said I’m not a creative person. As life continues – and I’m forced to use more creativity – I realize I am a creative person. I can’t write fiction, make a living as an artist, or play most instruments, but when it’s comes to gift giving and problem-solving, my creative mind kicks into high gear.

Abilities – With that said, I am also thankful for my abilities. Many women do not give themselves credit for what true abilities they possess. But we – men included – have abilities and talents that make us special.

My Framily – My friends who are family and my family who are my friends mean the world to me. My own child is one of my best friends. My best friend is a part of my family. My framily is a mix between friends and family who care and love me for who I am, and no matter what are always there. So, to those who are reading: Thank you.

Work – I have always been grateful for my job – no matter what it was. However, I also appreciate work in general. Whether it’s my full-time job or mopping my floors, work keeps me active and feeling accomplished. I would rather work than sit and watch TV, and I’m grateful I can always find something to do.

Entertainment – I don’t always work though! I love books, games, movies, music and some TV. We live in a world full of entertainment, which is a nice break from the day-to-day. I love playing board games, watching movies, and going to concerts with loved ones. Having so many options is pretty awesome and definitely adds to quality of life.

Food – I don’t do diets. I eat what I want and don’t feel guilty. Food is essential and delicious, and there are many people in the world who don’t have enough of it. So, the next time you feel bad about a bagel, think about someone who would give their right hand for one.

Color – We’ve had a pretty dreary fall thus far, so I’m thankful I can fill my home with bright colors – from throw pillows to fresh flowers. I wear neon colors, and Christmas lights have been up for a week. Color not only enhances my mood, it makes things vibrant and beautiful.

Me – I am thankful for who I am. Like me or not, I own who I am and always will. I firmly believe if people were more true to who they are, they would feel more free and happy. I’m not saying don’t improve yourself or change bad habits; I’m saying if you are happy with who you are, then own it. Don’t change for someone else or put on a mask to make others happy.

And to you our readers, we give thanks to you! As we enter our fourth year, we appreciate all the follows, likes, support, comments and ideas. Without you, we would just talk to ourselves.
Happy Holidays from RevPub!

Being Thankful for Thanksgiving Specials

On November 25, 2015November 24, 2015 By James CastroIn Opinions, Random FunLeave a comment

Thanksgiving always seems to be a bit of a no-man’s land holiday. Wedged between the “cool kids’” Halloween and the consumer-palooza that is Christmas, Thanksgiving in the United States is usually just a day to eat food and get a preview for how uncomfortable Christmas dinner with these same people will be in three weeks. At least once upon a time my family had a “let’s just get Chinese food” tradition, but lamentably that too seems to be a faded memory…

Because of this rather nebulous state, Thanksgiving doesn’t tend to have big holiday specials or events. Even the Thanksgiving Day Parade, once a staple of the holiday, has become a reason for celebrities to hock their latest projects and it has mostly been taken over by Christmas as well, after all everyone waits to see Santa at the end of it.

Despite this, some great Thanksgiving episodes of TV shows have been made. I took a moment to list a few of my very favorites:

Seinfeld: The Mom and Pop Store

The Gang at Tim Whatley’s Pre-Thanksgiving Day Party. Though Jerry Crashed…

Following the Seinfeld rules of “no learning and no hugging” this episode takes place with Thanksgiving as kind of a backdrop, without the episode being about anyone being thankful or hitting anyone in the feels. Elaine wins her boss, Mr. Pitt, the opportunity to hold one of the ropes of the Woody Woodpecker balloon in the Macy’s Parade. The gang goes to Tim Whatley’s party to view the parade and the trophy she won along with the tickets falls out the window and pops the balloon. This episode also contains the Jon Voight car and Jerry sneaking into Whatley’s party to get dental advice (he wasn’t invited because he’s an instigator). The namesake comes from Kramer’s business with a shoe repair shop he accidentally gets shut down for code violations. The episode ends with a great Midnight Cowboy.

Frasier: A Very Lilith Thanksgiving

That turkey mysteriously vanishes while Niles is cooking it later this episode…

One of my favorite episodes of this venerable show. Frasier and his ex-wife Lilith are desperate to get their son Frederick accepted into the prestigious Marbury Academy. The dean of admissions can only interview them briefly just before Thanksgiving and hilarity ensues. Frasier was always at its best when it was played as a stage farce and this is that quality perfected. Frasier and Lilith obsess over what they said in the interview, make multiple, increasingly cringe-worthy visits to the dean (one of which includes mention of Golda Meir’s little known relative “Oscar”), steal the Crane family turkey, and cause a huge fight in the Dean’s family. In typical sitcom fashion everything works out of course, though in typical Frasier fashion not like anyone expects.

Frasier: The Apparent Trap

Are they getting remarried for real? Frasier’s face says it all…

Yes there are TWO episodes of Frasier and yes they both have Lilith in them, and it has nothing to do with my celebrity crush on Bebe Neuwirth. In this episode Lilith and Frederick end up stuck in Seattle for Thanksgiving and Frederick seems to be trying to maneuver his parents to get back together. Through more excellent farce setup, Frederick puts the seeds of this concept into each of his parents’ minds, and both Frasier and Lilith seek council (Frasier from Martin, Lilith from Niles) about what to do. The absolute discomfort the two of them feel just before they discover that Frederick has been setting them up is gloriously funny. This episode also has some of my favorite all-time Frasier quotes: Frasier (upon hearing Lilith’s date caught something from lab rats): “Now, nobody ever got anything from a rat that wasn’t resolved in a day or two;” Martin (Instructed to find a subtle way to tell Frasier if he think Lilith is coming on to him): “Run for your life!” and Niles (after hearing from Frederick that Frasier and Lilith are getting remarried, in an absolutely flawless strained line reading): “What’s this joyous news I hear?” It is family holiday anxiety to the extreme.

Spin City: The Competition

The fun starts at 4:00 in…

The City Council challenges Mike and the Mayor’s office to a competition to see who can feed the most homeless people turkey dinners (Mike: “Did she just question….my stones?”). The loser has to perform a song at a press event. During some great, typical sitcom setup Mike and crew are Daffy Duck’d into picking the worse shelter, have to improvise their cooking, and deal with personal issues, including James’ girlfriend (played by Jennifer Garner) coming to visit him from home. The absolute payoff of this episode comes after the credits, when Mike and the Mayor’s office have to sing “So Long Farewell” from The Sound of Music at a press event, having lost the bet. Their deadpan delivery of this song is one of the funniest events in the show’s run.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force: The Dressing

The Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future (aka “Hustlin’ Tom Turkey”)

Yes this absurdist show had a Thanksgiving episode, and it’s a great one. The Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future returns in a new “sleek turkey body” interrupting the Aqua Teens’ Thanksgiving dinner with Carl (he stayed outside for fear of catching “some disease,” though his roll was wet…). During typical Aqua Teens nonsense the story told by TCGoCPftF’s story is disassembled and he’s discovered to be a malfunctioning “Hustlin’ Tom Turkey.” Though apparently his old sock is still laser-guided… The story ends as dozens of Tom Turkey descend on the Aqua Teens’ home only to be sent next door to Carl’s where they unleash laser-guided sock vengeance upon him for eating a turkey leg. It’s ridiculous, hilarious, and contains a burned taco pie. What else could we want?

BONUS! Addams Family Values

As a bonus I have to bring up Addams Family Values. Not only is this one of the rare sequels superior to the original film, but it also has one of my favorite Thanksgiving moments in media history. Sure a lot of people point to other movies as “Thanksgiving Movies” (Sorry, I don’t like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles…) but how many of those have an original Thanksgiving play including a song?! Not just any song but a great song. Yes, a turkey just yells at the audience to “Eat ME!”

Halloween Art Contest: Rats in the Walls

On November 18, 2015November 18, 2015 By James CastroIn Art, ProjectsLeave a comment

Even though I’ve been an illustrator essentially my entire life I’ve never been one to receive accolades or awards for my artwork. While friends genuinely seem to like my work, my experiences in college tended to show me that a lot of people enjoy the “art school” look rather than my kind of improvisational home-spun style.

When my RevPub partner suggested I enter the Halloween art contest at a local art supply store I was hesitant. I’ve previously lost two painting competitions and an illustration award so I didn’t have high hopes, but it sounded fun and different. The catch was it could be done in any media, but had to be on black canvas.

After some consideration I thought I’d try my hand at drawing “in the negative” using white chalk on black, filling in the light rather than shadows. Not only did I enjoy it almost as much as pencil, it reinvigorated my creative side as doing something new made the entire creative process seem like an entirely fresh experience.

It had to be “Halloween” based but that could just be anything horror or creepy related. I decided on an interpretation from H.P. Lovecraft’s Rats in the Walls.

20151117_192908 — The Original Pencil Sketch. I always start with little rough drawings that to give me some idea where I’ll go when it gets real…

20151007_202808 — It started well. My pencil sharpener ate the chalk…

20151007_204523 — I sketched it in pencil first and wished I hadn’t. It didn’t erase as cleanly as the chalk.

20151011_193508 — I did a shape of a figure back-lit in the door.

20151011_200125 — HP Lovecraft is writing the tale in the background.

20151011_193044 — The rat designs were inspired by the Skaven books I’ve read.

Not only was it fun, but it turns out I won the staff pick! Great fun at Jerry’s Artarama in Nashville!

Jerry’s Artarama Facebook page.

Originals and Remakes: Horror Films that Need a Modern Remake

On November 8, 2015November 8, 2015 By James CastroIn Movies, ReviewsLeave a comment

We hope you’ve enjoyed our October Original vs. Remake series. We had a blast comparing them, and we hope you’ve tried at least a couple!

We also understand many have grown tired of the remake trend; however, a few horror movies need a remake. Whether getting back to classics or bringing light to underrated movies, we wanted to conclude the series with something a little different. Theses movies could and need a modern remake:

James’ Picks:

The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1920)

The original film in 1920 was a silent German expressionist masterpiece borne out of the inter-war period in Europe. It is a story told from the perspective of one character and actually has a twist worth something (if you haven’t seen it I won’t spoil it here). The main plot revolves around a mad doctor, Caligari, who uses a sleepwalker, Cesare, to murder for him. It is shot with painted shadows, twisted imagery, and a warped perspective as the narrator shares his own mentally distorted view of what happened. I can imagine this film, shot by a talented director using practical effects (Edgar Write I’m looking at you..) for a modern audience relieving some of the abstract and abbreviated storytelling prevalent in the silent era. There was a 2006 remake, but one, true to the original, of wider scope and scale would do this amazing classic justice.

White Zombie (1932)

I first saw this film in a zombie-thon when I was a teenager. It came on with Romero pictures and was distinctly out of place and, for me, unusual. As an adult I’ve come to appreciate just how fascinating this film is and how great a remake would be. It focuses on Madeleine and her fiance Neil. A wealthy plantation owner, Charles, is also in love with Madeleine and enlists a voodoo mystic (played here by the glorious Bela Lugosi…someone would have to up their game to play this role) Murder Legendre (though his name is not really heard in the film except for maybe one piece of dialogue). In a great scene we see Murder use his powers to turn Madeleine into a voodoo zombie, a status of wakeful hypnosis fully under Murder’s control. What would make this a great remake? Well getting back to the original voodoo zombies, powerful zombie masters, great characters straight from the origins of horror (Dr. Bruner is Van Helsing in all but name.) A great modern remake could, again, fill in a vague story from the dawn of horror cinema and bring this tale to a modern audience. Plus it would introduce people to how the zombie legend originated. Let’s face it, the flesh-eating zombie thing is kind of done, whether it be from unknown causes or disease or whatever they cook up. Let’s put some magic back in zombie movies and tell a great classic story in a new way.

Raven’s Picks

Cherry Falls (2000)

Brittany Murphy Cherry Falls — Photo from: scare-tactic.blogspot.com

Cherry Falls ranks as my favorite teen slasher. However, many have never seen or heard of it. I realize that a remake would seem a little insensitive to Brittany Murphy, but I bet she would be honored knowing this movie received the attention it deserves. There are two reasons why Cherry Falls needs a remake. First, it was never released in the U.S. I’m guessing Hollywood thought it was too influential, as the storyline suggests teens must lose their virginity to survive. If America’s youth are that easily influenced, it’s time to look at the parents. Second, we haven’t had a good teen slasher since Scream 4, and that was in a series. I can’t remember the last good teen slasher. Hollywood needs to stop making crap that no one wants to see and get back to basics. Cherry Falls had an original storyline – gasp! – and serves horror well, as it’s dark, funny, gruesome, and entertaining. The horror film industry needs to cut back on CGI ghosts and jump scares, and get back to making movies that rely on a good story and actors.

Cabin by the Lake (2000)

Cabin by the Lake – a USA Network-release – is gold. In fact, good luck finding a DVD copy under $40, and you can find a lower-quality version on YouTube. Judd Nelson plays a writer/serial killer, and Hedy Burress is a fantastic final girl. Nelson not only kills them, he has created an underground garden of victims deep in the lake. The movie is funny, suspenseful and entertaining. A Cabin by the Lake remake would bring back a theme that has disappeared: the crazy writer. I mean a writer who is unbalanced and disturbed on his/her own, not one driven crazy by a supernatural force. The original story is different and refreshing, and again, it would be nice to see Hollywood get back to basics. I enjoy horror movies for a number of reasons, but entertainment value tops the list. Minus a few, modern horror movies are no longer entertaining. They focus too much on mood and CGI, and not enough on the story or character development.

If done correctly, all of these remakes would get Hollywood back on track, and introduce new and forgotten stories and elements to modern audiences. We hope good screenplay writers out there will pay attention!

We’d love to hear what movies you think could use a remake or reboot! Feel free to tell us in the comments or on social media.