Radio vs. the Martians!

We're like 'the McLaughlin Group' for Nerds!

Fun Size Episode 10 – Jodorowsky’s Still Alive

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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Mike and Casey sit down with Kinsey Burke, Patrick Johnson, and Sam Mulvey to bat around a contentious and complicated topic: adaptations, reboots and remakes.

How faithful should a work be to its source material when it’s adapted from one storytelling medium to another? What happens when it deviates over time? What about when a beloved past work is rebooted in ways we cannot stand? Is it really worth getting worked up about, now that the floodgates are open?

And can a bad adaptation transcend the source material and become a wonderful hypnotic disaster? Is it time to make peace with changes to Game of Thrones, and the Ghostbusters remake?

Also, Mike fights — against all odds — to protect a young friend from a 43 year-old movie spoiler.

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Episode 27 – Open World Video Games

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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“I was an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee.”

Mike and Casey completely abandon their quests to consolidate their pixelated criminal empires and save the kingdom from dragons, so that they can play darts and brew potions with video game journalist and YouTuber Kinsey Burke, and returning panelist Patrick Johnson.

Our non-essential side quest? To dig into the massive phenomenon of Open World Video Games. From Fallout 3, to Skyrim, to Grand Theft Auto V, there is an video games where the storyline is optional and immersive player-initiated exploration are their biggest sell points.

What is the appeal of a game that lets you make your own agenda in a fictional city, or epic fantasy realm or post-apocalyptic future? What are the limits of a game that aspires to let you be and do anything you want?

And why are these games so damned buggy?

Music:

“Welcome to Los Santos” from Grand Theft Auto V by Oh No

Previously titled: “The World Doesn’t Look Bright for Us Completionists”

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Brand New Reward for Patreon Subscribers!

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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We are thrilled to announce a brand new Reward for our subscribers on Patreon!

As Patreon subscribers, if you subscribe and donate any amount over $1 a month, you will receive exclusive access to what we’re calling Radio vs. the Martians! “Black Ops” episodes!

These are sporadic off-topic, off-the-books episodes of the podcast, and available only to Patreon subscribers!

And that’s on top of our regular panel episodes of Radio vs. the Martians!, our monthly “Fun Size” episodes, and our Arnold Schwarzenegger celebration podcast, Podcasta la Vista, Baby!

Subscribe today to get the first exclusive bonus episode, only on Patreon!

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Fun Size Episode 9 – Something, Something, Iron Man

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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We’re joined by Ask an Atheist‘s Sam Mulvey, who politely tolerates listening to Mike and Casey talk about Captain America: Civil War. And evidently, both of us take different sides.

And we ask the question, what are conspiracy theorists like in the Marvel and DC Universes? When you live in a world where the president can be — and has been — replaced by an alien duplicate, are there any ideas that left that can make you look like a crackpot?

We wax poetic about the 2004 Denzel Washington vigilante movie, Man on Fire, and how for many years, it was Mike’s Punisher movie.

And Mike says goodbye to legendary comic book creator Darwyn Cooke.

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Podcasta la Vista, Baby! Episode 3 – Hercules in New York

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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“It’s tremendous! It’s stupendous!! It’s FUN!!!”*

We’re back with a dive into a mythic time — in more ways than one — with Ask an Atheist‘s Sam Mulvey to test our endurance against the herculean labor of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first starring role, in 1969’s Hercules in New York!

Bored of his idyllic life on Mount Olympus, Greek demigod Hercules provokes his father Zeus into sending him to modern day Earth. There, he beats up longshoremen and bullies college athletes. He eventually becomes a successful professional wrestler, and battles both the machinations of the gods and gangsters alike.

*none of these statements are true

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Fun Size Episode 8 – No, Jack Bauer!

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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We sit down with Greg Hatcher and Sam Mulvey to continue our talk on vigilante justice, including our feelings about the anti-terrorism torture-sploitation action show that was 24.

We dig into the sad exploits of local “real life superhero” Phoenix Jones and why he turns the superhero-loving Mike into a J. Jonah Jameson.

And we dive into Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and how Zack Snyder’s vision of these characters is equal parts stupid, pretentious and insecure.

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Episode 26 – Vigilante Fiction

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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You’ve gotta ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?

Mike and Casey sit down with Pól Rua and Greg Hatcher of Comic Book Resources’ Comics Should Be Good blog, for a comprehensive and thoughtful discussion of urban crime and its many complicated causes.

And we talk about how pulp novels and grindhouse cinema recommends fixing these problems. Namely, angry middle-aged men with oversized handguns.

This month, we’re talking about urban vigilante fiction. Hyper-violent anti-heroes pumping thousands of rounds of ammunition into scumbags and drug dealers. From Dirty Harry to Death Wish; from the Punisher to Mack Bolan, we’re digging into the vigilante genre, and asking ourselves: why do bleeding heart liberals like us enjoy this stuff?

Music:

“Getting Into Shape / Listen You Screw Heads / Gun Play” from Taxi Driver by Bernard Herrmann

Previously titled: “A Noir Carnival of Fright and Insanity”

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Fun Size Episode 7 – Chickens. They Are a Taciturn Bunch

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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Mike and Casey continue their chat with Rebecca Friedman and Joe Preti, and they chew the fat about porno Mahjong, how the weirdest things end up at used bookstores, and why we just can’t stop thinking about nunchucks.

We also dig into the contrast of Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves, why Mike really really really doesn’t like the new Ghostbusters trailer, and why people keep getting Superman wrong.

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Episode 25 – Don Bluth

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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“…There are no cats in America!…”

Mike and Casey manage to escape dog heaven and set out for the Great Valley. Their traveling companions? Ask an Atheist‘s Rebecca Friedman and Joe Preti of the View from the Gutters comic book podcast. This month we’re talking about America animator, Don Bluth.

From his apprenticeship at the Walt Disney company, to striking out on his own with critical darling in the Secret of NIMH, to conquering the box office alongside Steven Spielberg with An American Tail and the Land Before Time.

We dig into Bluth’s trademark darker tone, his craftsmanship and attention to detail, his move into the world of video games, and how for a brief period of time…he managed to beat Disney at their own game.

Music:

“End Credits” from the Land Before Time by James Horner

Previously titled: “There Will Be No Second Disney”

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Fun Size Episode 6 – Open Carry Nunchuck Movement

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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In the wake of injury, scheduling issues, and technical problems, we will sadly not be able to give you our regularly scheduled panel episode. However, we can give you another Fun Sized dose of off-topic nonsense!

We sit down with Rebecca Friedman — again — for a talk about weird local insurance ads, superhero cartoons starring M.C. Hammer, and forthcoming return of Star Trek to television.

And seriously, don’t bring your ninja weapons on the White House tour, bro.

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Fun Size Episode 5 – So Many Props Made of Real, Atomic Matter

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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In our second Fun Sized episode this month, Mike and Casey continue their talk with Rebecca Friedman, and get into their feelings about the new Star Wars movie, the Force Awakens.

Also, we say goodbye to the recently departed Alan Rickman and David Bowie.

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Fun Size Episode 4 – A Discussion About Sam’s Feelings

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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In the first of two Fun Size discussions this month, we sit down with Rebecca Friedman and debate the merits and popularity of post-apocalyptic fiction and video games, and why absent panelist (and spouse) Sam Mulvey will probably never discuss it on the show.

Is the genre inevitably juvenile, and does its recent popularity speak ill of us as a society? Disagreement follows.

[NOTE: Some Fallout 4 spoilers]

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Podcasta la Vista, Baby! Episode 2 – Kindergarten Cop

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Mike Gillis

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Go ahead, you tell him you didn’t do your homework.

In our second podcast, Mike and Casey are joined by actual, real life teacher Rebecca Friedman for a very educational episode that highlights one of Schwarzenegger’s most successful comedies: 1990’s Kindergarten Cop!

Detective John Kimble is the meanest cop around. He really likes pushing people through glass coffee tables and blasting their couches with shotguns. So when Kimble needs to catch a vicious drug lord, he’s forced to go undercover. As a substitute kindergarten teacher.

He does know he’s not allowed to kill people, right?

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Episode 24.5 – Not Everybody is You, Grant Morrison!

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Mike Gillis

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In the shadow of our Batman discussion, Mike and Casey continue their discussion with Joe Preti and Pól Rua. We dig into the weapons-grade weirdness of comic book writer Grant Morrison, and why his work probably shouldn’t be your introduction to the medium.

We get into the contrast of revolutionary artistic experimentation vs. conventional competence that doesn’t reinvent the wheel.

We dive into the stick and meta-textual question of comic book continuity, and whether it’s better to hold a Crisis on Infinite Earths-style event to get rid of story elements you don’t want to keep, or whether it’s better to simply ignore them without explanation.

And finally, how exactly did the Ewoks perceive the Battle of Endor at the end of the Return of the Jedi?

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Episode 24 – Batman

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Mike Gillis

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“It’s an omen. I shall become a bat!”

Criminals are superstitious and cowardly lot, so Mike and Casey are joined in the Batcave to compare case notes with our friend Pól Rua, and first-time panelist, Joe Preti of the View from the Gutters podcast. Our topic, DC Comics’ Caped Crusader, Batman.

We dig into the character’s ridiculous versatility and unique ability to upend the normal rules for the suspension of disbelief. From the campy do-goodery of Adam West to Frank Miller’s dark avenger of the night, we discuss the wide range of tone and genre that the character has had in his seven decades of publication.

This is the podcast you deserve, but maybe not the one you need right now.

Music:

“The Batman Theme” from Batman by Danny Elfman

Previously titled: “Batman, Motherfucker!”

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