Episode 26: Steven Universe and Nostalgia part 2

Episode 26: Steven Universe and Nostalgia pt. 2
Hosts: Frank Shaw and John Belliston
Produced by Hobos in the Back Row
Scripting by Frank Shaw
Edited by: Frank Shaw
Graphic Design by: Nathan Newell
Intro Music: Piano Sonata mvnt 1 by F.G. Shaw
Outro Music: Piano Sonata mvnt 3 by F.G. Shaw

There aren't a lot of show notes for this episode. Just a couple of links to some articles that we felt were quite relevant to the topic. Steven Universe is something that John absolutely loves (and if you've listened to the podcast that's quite apparent) and it's something that Frank enjoys as well. So this is a cartoon we'll revisit, probably next fall.

This first link is an article addressing nostalgia from the perspective of "queer kids" that grew up in the 90's. Neither John, nor Frank can fully identify with this perspective, but we can empathize and sympathize with this perspective. Homosexuality is something that society has become more comfortable and accepting of. The cautiousness of the 90's has given way to Steven Universe, a cartoon that openly shows same sex relationships, but in such a way that it never comes across as preachy. The genius of the show is how it embraces the idea of love and family and friendship. Those are the real themes of the cartoon, and ultimately it helps trigger those warm longing feelings of nostalgia that we seem to seek as we grow older.

The second article is an in depth commentary of the nostalgia of Steven Universe. This is the article where the quote from Mad Men is used that I quoted in the episode. It touches on some of the same stuff we did, but is worth a read, just for the author's enthusiasm for the series.

Nostalgia is subjective. John and Frank get that. They understand that that what triggers those wonderful feels in one person won't necessarily be the same for the next. We heavily criticized Stranger Things (despite enjoying the series) for forcing the nostalgia. Some people might be inclined to do the same with Steven Universe. Nostalgia will have a part 3 on the podcast, probably sooner than later.

Episode 25: John Hate's What You Love: Stranger Things and Nostalgia pt. 1

Episode 25: John Hate's What You Love: Stranger Things and Nostalgia pt. 1
Hosts: Frank Shaw and John Belliston
Produced by Hobos in the Back Row
Scripting by Frank Shaw
Edited by: Frank Shaw
Graphic Design by: Nathan Newell
Intro Music: Piano Sonata mvnt 1 by F.G. Shaw
Outro Music: Piano Sonata mvnt 3 by F.G. Shaw


Some rather involved note's this time. Partly to touch on a few things that we meant to discuss but neglected to, partly to clarify our position on the show.

First, in case it's not clear from the episode, John and I do like the series. Quite a lot actually. But we have, and the podcast illustrates this, some major complaints and criticisms about the series. Mostly how it seeks to completely create nostalgia whole-cloth by emulating intellectual properties from the 80's. This may work for some (a lot) of viewers. The next podcast explores nostalgia a bit more, and it's a subject that we'll come back to,  but now let's jump into the articles both sources for the podcast, and interesting articles that we discovered after the fact.

There's several well documented lists that detail the inspiration for the series. The Duffer brothers also detail many of the inspirational sources themselves in various interviews.  Some of the inspirations are blatantly obvious as you watch the series, some are more subtle. There are things the series does right. The fact that it is essentially a 7 1/2 hour film, and is able to explore characters that would not normally be explored through the course of the film. Winona Ryder's character, as well as her older son's story is developed and interesting. The character of Nancy is also explored, which would not have happened had this simply been a film.

The monster, the Demogorgon, both of us have some issues with. John is disappointed that it isn't stranger and more ominous than it ends up being. (I am too.) There was a lot of potential with the monster initially. The concept art for it shows that it could have been so much more than it actually was. My major complaint is that the Duffy brothers, and the series itself, doesn't bother to attribute the Lovecraftian horror influence that the source material that inspired them is clearly pulling from.

There's also something that we neglected to talk about (though I did tease it at one point with my E.T. comment), and that's the fact that Eleven is woefully neglected in many ways. And in many ways is a text book example of the "Smurfette Principle."  I had meant to bring up the idea that Eleven was essentially the token girl, but failed to during the course of the episode. Millie Bobby Brown is a great young actress and hopefully they explore her characters life, and move away from the horrible tragedy and making her the token magical creature (a la E.T.) that she ends up being in the first season.

Now for a couple of positive things: The Upside Down, what a fantastic idea! This is honestly one of my favorite parts of the show, and I'm very excited about being able to explore it more in the next season (I really hope they do.) The idea of a parallel universe is one of those sci-fi tropes that I just can't get enough of, and it's something that I fully embrace with this series. I love the idea of there being a side dimension along side our own and the fact that there is some scientific evidence that lends credence to the idea.

There are many questions left open at the end of the series. There's are fan theories about Will, Eleven, the Upside Down, the Demogorgon. We put forth our favorite theory about Eleven in the podcast as detailed in this video by Uproxx. There are other theories about the monster out there that are just as engaging. 

John (despite the title) and I really did enjoy the series. It's one of the reasons why we're so critical of it. We recognize all the things it does right (and it does a lot). While pointing out all of the things it does wrong. One of the things that we both feel missed the mark is the idea that it tries to manufacture the nostalgia for the viewer. This does, admittedly work for a lot of folks that watched the show, it didn't for us. It felt forced and unfortunately we both think it could have been better had it not attempted to do that.  The Duffer brothers have some genuine talent for creating interesting plots, and characters. There's a lot of potential in this IP and there's a lot of obvious love and passion that went into making it. So if you haven't, give the episode a listen for our full thoughts on the series and nostalgia. And if you haven't go watch Stranger Things, because despite our criticism it is really an enjoyable series.

Episode 24: Bob's Burgers.

Episode 24: Bob's Burgers
Hosts: Frank Shaw and John Belliston
Produced by Hobos in the Back Row
Scripting by Frank Shaw
Edited by: Frank Shaw
Graphic Design by: Nathan Newell
Music Loop for "What's Interesting" Autumn_Loop Wave created by M-Red
Intro Music: Piano Sonata mvnt 1 by F.G. Shaw
Outro Music: Piano Sonata mvnt 3 by F.G. Shaw

The Bob's Burgers episode was hell to finally get down. It took 5 separate attempts over the course of three weeks at either scheduling or actually trying to record before we got the above episode . One of the great disadvantages to John and myself not being in the same city. We got it though, and I'm pretty pleased with how fun the episode turned out.

Next episode (Episode 25) is going to be on Star Trek the Original Series. John will be missing, but I'll be joined by our friend Richard Sanders. So be sure to check it out.

Here's an interview with H. John Benjamin made just after the first season of Bob's Burgers.

One thing both John and I find fun to do (though it isn't always relevenant to the episode) is look at topics T.V. Tropes. It's fun to see how television, movies, and video games fall into place, or subvert the different popularized tropes. Here's the link to Bob's Burgers page.

Shortcast Episode 2: Miller's Crossing.

Shortcast Episode 2: Miller's Crossing
Host: Frank Shaw
Produced by Hobos in the Back Row
Scripting by Frank Shaw
Edited by: Frank Shaw
Graphic Design by: Nathan Newell
Intro Music: Images of Home: Morning Activities by F.G. Shaw
Outro Music: Images of Home: Morning Activities by F.G. Shaw

Only a few notes for this Shortcast. It's primarily a few fun facts and a couple of different reviews on the film.

But FIRST! Here's a link to the actual script. If you've seen the movie it's pretty cool to see some of the changes made, but overall it's very close to what ended up on film.  I honestly don't know how up and up this website is*, but while it lasts it's fun to look at the script.

*It appears that it hasn't been updated since November of 2015, so it may or may not be inactive.

Here's a Mental Floss episode on interesting facts about the film. I don't really touch on most of these, but a few are hinted at (when discussing Sonnenfeld). It's fun, but if you're a fan of the film you'll likely know most of these.

Now this is an interesting review, and it touches on a few technical aspect that I [Frank] have no earnest experience with. I disagree with some of his thoughts, but I definitely respect his opinion on the film. Mr. Moraes definitely knows his stuff.

A lot of love for the film in this review. 

This commentary from The Atlantic.... Read it!

Podcast update!

John and Frank have had a weekend full of technical and personal dilema. We tried to record our next podcast on Bob's Burgers Sunday evening, but alas our technology betrayed us. It'll be another week before we can give it another shot so later this week Frank will be releasing a Shortcast on the film Miller's Crossing.
Should be fun.
Stay tuned.

Episode 23: Captain America Civil War.

Episode 23: Captain America Civil War.
Hosts: Frank Shaw and John Belliston
Produced by Hobos in the Back Row
Scripting by Frank Shaw
Edited by: Frank Shaw
Graphic Design by: Nathan Newell
Intro Music: Piano Sonata mvnt 1 by F.G. Shaw
Outro Music: Piano Sonata mvnt 3 by F.G. Shaw

John and I discuss the latest Captain America movie. We talk about what we liked and disliked with the movie, including: the plot, Spiderman, issues with the film. The conversation also sparks three potential future topics: Regulation vs. Non-Regulation of WMD's, whether heroes create  their villains, and finally the importance of secret identities. We will eventually touch on these topics in future podcasts.

I also talk about Renegade Cut, a YouTube series that does deep analysis of films both new and classic. It's produced and created by Leon Thomas and I can't recommend this series enough if you like films. Mr. Thomas comes at each movie with a fresh take looking at each picture from an angle that you wouldn't necessarily expect exploring philosophy, film-making techniques, and even fan-theories of the movies.

In addition to his channel, here's Leon Thomas' Patreon for Renegade Cut. John and I discuss Patreon a bit, in both concept and execution. It's a great way for artists to connect with their fans and for the fans to give back to the artists.

Finally, here's the video a Meat Bicycle Built for Two to show off John's love of Borderlands 2. He really likes the game, and this video will give you an insite as to why. So please enjoy.

Shortcast Episode 1: The Hateful Eight.

Shortcast Episode 1: The Hateful Eight
Host: Frank Shaw
Produced by Hobos in the Back Row
Scripting by Frank Shaw
Edited by: Frank Shaw
Graphic Design by: Nathan Newell
Intro Music: Images of Home: Morning Activies by F.G. Shaw
Outro Music: Images of Home: Morning Activies by F.G. Shaw

I failed completely to talk about the music of this film during the episode. That's a grave error on my part. The score to this movie is fantastic! By far the best of any Tarantino movie, and it relies solely on the fact that Tarantino actually utilized composer Ennio Morricone in a way that showcases the mans considerable talents and ability to fit the music to the scene. Although Mr. Morricone's music does show up in previous Tarantino movies, this is the first time Tarantino fully trusted Morricone's ability to produce an actual score that compliments the drama on screen. The entire score (for the most part) is perhaps more enjoyable and riveting than the film itself. There's a certain ominous dread that permeates through out the picture. The music during Chapter 4 helps build the scene up, and compliments the insanity on the screen at the moment. If you're not inclined to watch a Tarantino movie, but you enjoy film scores, I still recommend checking out the score to this picture. It will not disappoint (even out of context of the movie).

The larger controversy of this film, at least from what I could tell through google searches, seemed to be the treatment of Daisy Domergue by John Ruth. As I mention in the podcast, it is uncomfortable.
The cast and crew of the film defend it quite thouroughly: Kurt Russell, Harvey Weinstein, as well as Tarantino and Jennifer Jason Leigh. There are some points to the idea that the film is heavily misogynistic, and perhaps if I had come from this with a woman's mind instead I may feel differently about the treatment. Then again my first view was uncomfortable, so maybe not.

Though I liked the film, quite a bit actually, I won't deny it's a brutish film. While I found specific portions quite compelling, it lacked the finesse that it needs to truly make it remarkable.