Episode 22 – Bioshock

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Mike Gillis

“A man chooses… a slave obeys…”

Mike and Casey pile into a bathysphere and flee the surface world, and the clawing hands of Big Government and the Parasites to reserve their tables at the Kashmir Restaurant with first panelists Patrick Johnson, and Carlos Rodela of the Video Game Break Podcast. Our topic, the revolutionary 2007 video game, BioShock and its sequels.

We explore the immersive game world of Rapture, the failed undersea utopia inspired by the free-market Objectivist philosophy of Ayn Rand. We look at whether video games can transcend the reputation of being a fun distraction, and whether they can truly be works of art in their own right. And finally, we contemplate the limitations and possibilities of player choice in games, and whether complex storytelling is at odds with the agency to make character decisions.

Music:

“The Ocean On His Shoulders/Welcome To Rapture” from BioShock by Garry Schyman

Previously titled: “Being a Selfish Asshole Is the Best Thing You Can Be”

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Episode 21.5 – The Robots Disagree with You, Edgar Wright!

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Mike Gillis

In the aftermath of our Twin Peaks panel, we’re joined again by Roz Townsend and Pól Rua for a continued discussion about how awesome actor Miguel Ferrer is. We also dive into how Twin Peaks‘ Pacific Northwest setting is very familiar to our Seattle-area panelists, and how the show influenced a decade of television.

We get into automated fansourcing of our entertainment, why Godwin’s Law demands you support the arts, and the British science fiction series, Blake’s 7.

Also, Mike argues with a folksy robot.

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Episode 21 – Twin Peaks

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Mike Gillis

“That gum you like is going to come back in style.”

Mike and Casey are consulting our logs and getting a booth at the Double R Diner to share some damned good coffee and pie with returning panelists Roz Townsend and Pól Rua. Our topic: David Lynch’s surrealistic supernatural thriller/soap opera: Twin Peaks.

We get into the show’s weird and often contradictory tone, and its widely panned theatrical follow-up movie Fire Walk with Me. We discuss its massive influence on shows like Lost and the X-Files, and try to figure out if Lynch was creating fantastical, challenging art, or just being pointlessly weird for its own sake.

Music:

“Falling” from Twin Peaks by Angelo Badalamenti

Previously titled: “Happening v. Fargo”

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Miller-ized for your Protection!

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Mike Gillis

On one of our last Fun Sized episodes, Mike announced the first Radio vs. the Martians! “non-test.” It’s like a contest, just without prizes or promotion, because of our crippling fear that no one would actually enter it.

Thank you for proving Mike wrong!

So, we wanted to see your Frank Miller-style reinterpretations of childhood favorites and all ages media characters.

Who’s Frank Miller, you might ask?

Answers and drawings under the fold!

Continue reading →

Mike is Back on the Fire and Water Podcast!

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Mike Gillis

Mike comes back with a fourth appearance on the Fire and Water Podcast!

This time, Mike joins co-host Rob Kelly ‘s Film and Water Podcast spin-off to talk about the highly underrated sixth James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service!

We get into the film’s back story, it’s top notch action sequences, and the performances of leads George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, and Telly Savalas. We talk about ski chases, the movies impact on popular culture, why it deserves a better reputation, and Mike’s man-crush on Savalas’ interpretation of supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Join us!

Podcasta la Vista, Baby!

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Mike Gillis

The hosts of Radio vs. the Martians! are proud — no, we’re downright giddy — to announce our newest addition to the podcast.

Starting in October, we’re going to do something special. About twice a year, we’ll take a break from our regular monthly panels. In their place, Mike and Casey will to be joined by a guest to celebrate the cinematic library of America’s greatest Austrian import: Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Our new podcast, Podcasta la Vista, Baby! will be a movie-by-movie examination of this thespian, bodybuilder and statesman, as he punches, shoots, flexes, and catch-phrases his way to box office domination.

The new show will appear on the regular RvtM podcast feed, so you won’t have to hunt it down, and it’ll join our regular panel episodes, “point 5” mini-episodes, and our Fun Size episodes, to diversify our output with a meaty helping of absurd macho bullshit.

More will be announced soon, and I know you folks will love it as much as we do!

Fun Size Episode 3 – It Plays Brown Things!

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Mike Gillis

In our second Fun Size episode this month, Mike and Casey are joined by in the studio by Ask an Atheist‘s Sam Mulvey.

We dig into the selection of current generation video game consoles, as Mike makes a decision on his future purchase. Are the Xbox One and Playstation 4 really that different? Why not Nintendo?

And why do gamers need to make a hard choice between colorful all-ages insanity like Mario Kart, and gritty adult games like Bioshock and Fallout? Why can’t we have everything?

And then talk turns to the subject of Bill Cosby, and shit gets real.

Deep breaths, everyone.

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Fun Size Episode 2 – The Future is Just…Brown

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Mike Gillis

In the first of a pair of Fun Sized episodes this month, we sit down in the studio with Roslyn Townsend to get extra meta-topical. We talk about the phenomenon of “misdirected fandom.” Why do some fans not seem to understand or even deny that characters like Breaking Bad‘s Walter White or Watchmen‘s Rorschach have ever crossed any ethical lines?

Are all interpretations of fiction and art valid? Can a property’s fans’ behavior make it hard to enjoy? Can an artist’s views or behavior overshadow their work?

We also dig into the world of 1970s science fiction where everyone wears a cape, all hair is big, and everything is brown.

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Episode 20.5 – I’ve Been Peeing Into a Jar This Whole Time

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Mike Gillis

It’s B-roll time, as we wrap up the Watchmen discussion with Sam Mulvey and Rob Kelly.

We get a little bit more into why Zack Snyder’s movies fail — and why they also don’t fail enough to be fun or interesting. We talk about Uwe Boll’s recent crowdfunding meltdown, Steve Ditko’s Objectivist superhero, Mr. A, and why you should be able to hear criticism of your favorite things like a grown-up.

We talk about the possible consequences of Disney’s purchases of Marvel and Lucasfilm, and wonder how truly terrifying it would be to have to repossess the American Nazi Party’s “Hate Bus.”

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Episode 20 – Watchmen

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Mike Gillis

“Dog carcass in alley this morning, tire tread on burst stomach. This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face.”

Mike and Casey are charging our electric cars, voting for Richard Nixon, and getting a booth in the Gunga Diner with Ask an Atheist‘s Sam Mulvey, and Rob Kelly of the Fire and Water Podcast. Our topic, the 1986 mini-series that has been labeled “the greatest comic book of all time,” Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s Watchmen.

We dig into the series’ aggressive and intentionally unflattering deconstruction of the superhero genre, the often uncomfortable morality and motivations of its characters, and the controversial and underwhelming 2009 Zack Snyder film adaptation.

*for those interested in donating to a great cause we mention on the podcast, please check out the Hero Intiative.

Music:

“Pruit Igoe and Prophecies” from Watchmen (and Koyaanisqatsi) by Philip Glass

Previously titled: “You’re Gonna Like This. It’s Got G. Gordon Liddy in it!”

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Upcoming Episode Topics

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Mike Gillis

Here is a look ahead at our future episode topics for the rest of the year. Please bear in mind that these topics are extremely tentative. They can — and likely will — change according to availability of our panelists and completely arbitrary reasons.

JUNE — Watchmen

JULY — Fun Size Episode (Double-sized and released in two parts!)

AUGUST — Twin Peaks

SEPTEMBER — Bioshock

OCTOBER — Podcasta La Vista, Baby! Episode 1 – the Running Man

NOVEMBER — Star Trek: the Next Generation

DECEMBER — Batman

EDIT: Updated schedule – November 2, 2015

Mike Returns to the Fire and Water Podcast!

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Mike Gillis

Mike returns for a third appearance on the Fire and Water Podcast, this time to co-host Rob Kelly’s film-centric Film and Water Podcast spin-off. And this time, they’re on a mission from God.

They discuss the 1980 comedy/musical/car chase mayhem movie, the Blues Brothers. Dan Aykroyd! John Belushi! Ray Charles! Aretha Franklin! Carrie Fisher with a rocket launcher! Neo Nazis, irate country western bands and every cop car in the state of Illinois!

Enjoy!

Episode 19.5 – Are You a Bad Enough Dude to Beat Up Uwe Boll?

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Mike Gillis

We’re back with more B-roll goodness! Mike and Casey are joined in the studio with Sam Mulvey of Ask an Atheist and his brother, Mike Mulvey for a wide-ranging bullshit session.

We dig into contests with pop culture prizes that never materialized, like guests spots on Star Trek: the Next Generation, and the Captain America Broadway musical that never was. We chat about film director/walking human garbage Uwe Boll’s challenges to literally fight his critics and perceived rivals.

We discuss the recent reboot of Archie Comics, as well as the character’s past and current encounters with the Punisher and the zombie apocalypse. We get into why we all dig Netflix’s Daredevil series, even if a lot of the current comic book TV shows aren’t setting our worlds on fire.

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Episode 19 – Quentin Tarantino

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Mike Gillis

We’re gonna get medieval on your asses!

This month, Mike and Casey pile into a booth at Jack Rabbit Slim’s to debate the merits of tipping our server with Sci-Fest L.A.‘s Matt Goodman and writer and artist Roslyn Townsend. Our topic of discussion: Quentin fucking Tarantino.

We dig into the writer-director’s visual style, his penchant for creating violent films with compelling characters, and his talent for resurrecting dead careers. From Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown, and from Kill Bill to Django Unchained, Tarantino and his movies are awash with copious profanity, critical praise and controversy.

Music:

“Misirlou” from Pulp Fiction by Dick Dale and the Del Tones

Previously titled: “Let’s Do a Bunch of Coke and Make a Movie”

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Casey makes an Appearance on the Video Game Break Podcast!

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Mike Gillis

VGBP

Our very own Casey Doran joined Carlos Rodela of the Video Game Break Podcast for a discussion about video games and stuff!

Enjoy!