Episodes
Tuesday Jan 24, 2012
The Lord of the Rings: Prologue
Tuesday Jan 24, 2012
Tuesday Jan 24, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
A lengthy discussion about Tolkein's books as a precursor to our movie discussions.
In 2001 Peter Jackson, along with Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, everybody at Weta Workshop and an astonishingly dedicated and talented cast and crew brought us the first of three (later to be six) movies covering the events in Middle Earth as told in the books of J.R.R Tolkien. These films had a profound effect on my life. They inspired me, transported me and made me sad that I couldn't be part of that production team. Everything I have done since then has been part of an ongoing effort to create something even one iota as special. Now the second trilogy is mere weeks away from starting and it's time to celebrate with some truly epic podcasts.
So we come to it at last, the Gonzo journey into these incredibly significant collaborative projects, masquerading as mere movies. In this episode we look at how this story has been told through other media. This is a specialised show and might be a bit heavy-going for some. So I've time-coded the different sections in case anyone wants to skip to the bit they want to hear covered.
00.00: Introduction/Timeline/Tolkien
00.13: Differences between Tolkien's books and the films.
01.26: The 1977 Hobbit Movie
01.44: The 1978 Lord of the Rings Movie
02.07: The 1980 Return of the King Movie
02.18: The 1981 Radio Play
02.38: The Video Games
It's an extremely long and detailed podcast and rabid fans of the book who were disappointed with the Peter Jackson films should probably steer clear. We don't pull our punches and there are some frankly hilarious moments. You will also definitely find out new and interesting things and hear music both cringe-worthy and powerful. Joining me for the long haul are Chris Eason of GameBurst and Sharon Shaw of DorkCast.
Monday Jan 23, 2012
Firefly [Part 2]
Monday Jan 23, 2012
Monday Jan 23, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
This is the second of three shows discussing Firefly and Serenity.
This episode we look at the troubled production run and the myriad decisions made that hamstrung this potentially glorious series and ensured nobody saw it, that those that did were somewhat confused and that only a few would even notice its cancellation. Those few have grown in number in the years since with more Browncoats riding in every passing month, discovering the world and the mindset of those who love it.
My crew of Big Damned Heroes return. Leah Haydu and Sharon Shaw of DorkCast, Matt Ramsey of DorkCast and Dorktunes, Gary Blower of GameBurst and Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse join me on the good ship Digital Gonzo.
We cover the concluding seven episodes...
* Out of Gas
* Arial
* War Stories
* Trash
* The Message
* Heart of Gold
* Objects in Space
Next week, we dive into Serenity, the film that shouldn't, by all rights have even been made, yet exists as a closer for now on our beloved Verse.
Sunday Jan 22, 2012
Firefly [Part 1]
Sunday Jan 22, 2012
Sunday Jan 22, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
After many months of teasing Gonzo finally covers one of the most beloved Sci Fi shows of all time. If you're one of the people that saw this when it was originally aired then please let the other six know because they will probably adore this episode.
Cut off some way before its prime, this exists as a cautionary tale never to trust a Fox but also as a wistful glimpse of what might have been one of the (empirically speaking) best TV shows of all time. Fourteen episodes, broadcast completely out of order with the beginning at the end and three left unaired, followed up by a cinematic outing that made one bag of popcorn less than its budget, Firefly is the perennial underdog. Perhaps this is why Browncoats, the die hard fans have one thing in common; the passionate, romantic inability to look facts in the face and accept defeat.
On the show; six Browncoats. Leah Haydu and Sharon Shaw of DorkCast, Matt Ramsey of DorkCast and Dorktunes, Gary Blower of GameBurst and Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse. I of course stride around barking out orders in my tight pants, all gussied up with airs and graces as captain of this particular boat.
On this episode we focus on the nine characters of the crew of Serenity and cover the following seven episodes...
* The Pilot
* The Train Job
* Bushwacked
* Shindig
* Safe
* Our Mrs Reynolds
* Jaynestown
Next week, the concluding seven along with a focus on the troubled production and the legacy that this has left for those who will never quit believing that you can't stop the signal.
Saturday Jan 21, 2012
The Sound of Gonzo: Vol. 3 [James Bond]
Saturday Jan 21, 2012
Saturday Jan 21, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
Vol. 3 – Gary Blower & James Batchelor [Bond]
James Bond Theme - John Barry Capsule in Space - John Barry (5:YOLT) [Gary]
You Only Live Twice: David Arnold feat Bjork (5:YOLT) [Gary]
OHMSS - David Arnold & The Propellerheads (6:OHMSS) [Gary]
The Man with the Golden Gun - John Barry feat. Lulu (9:MWGG) [Gary]
Bond 77 (10:TSWLM) [James] A View to a Kill (14:VTAK) [Alex]
License to Kill (16:LTK) [Alex] GoldenEye Overture -Eric Serra (17:GE) [James]
The Juvenile - Ace of Base (17:GE) [Alex]
Backseat Driver (18:TND) [James]
Time to get out (22:QOS) [Alex]
No Good About Goodbye (22:QOS) [James]
Skyfall (23:SF)
Friday Jan 20, 2012
The Sound of Gonzo: Vol. 2
Friday Jan 20, 2012
Friday Jan 20, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
Vol. 2 – Sharon Shaw
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001) Main Theme - Tan Dun/Yo-Yo Ma 3.24
Blade Runner (1982) Prologue and Main Titles - Vangelis 3.55
The Piano (1993) The Heart Asks Pleasure First - Michael Nyman 3.11
Willow (1988) Willow’s Theme - James Horner 3.57
Interview with the Vampire (1994) Libera Me - Elliot Goldenthal 2.48
Meet Joe Black (1998) Whisper of a Thrill - Thomas Newman 5.43
Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004) L’Arena - Ennio Morricone 4.46
Out of Sight (1998) Tub Scene - David Holmes 5.04
Sunshine (2007) Capa’s Last Transmission Home - Underworld 2.12
Akira (1988) Kaneda’s Theme - Shoji Yamashiro 3.41
L.A. Story (1991) Exile - Enya 4.22
Black Hawk Down (2001) Leave No Man Behind - Hans Zimmer 6.20
Thursday Jan 19, 2012
The Sound of Gonzo: Vol. 1
Thursday Jan 19, 2012
Thursday Jan 19, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
Vol. 1 – James Batchelor
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001) Main Theme - Tan Dun/Yo-Yo Ma 3.24 Blade Runner (1982) Prologue and Main Titles - Vangelis 3.55
The Piano (1993) The Heart Asks Pleasure First - Michael Nyman 3.11
Willow (1988) Willow’s Theme - James Horner 3.57
Interview with the Vampire (1994) Libera Me - Elliot Goldenthal 2.48
Meet Joe Black (1998) Whisper of a Thrill - Thomas Newman 5.43
Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004) L’Arena - Ennio Morricone 4.46
Out of Sight (1998) Tub Scene - David Holmes 5.04
Sunshine (2007) Capa’s Last Transmission Home - Underworld 2.12
Akira (1988) Kaneda’s Theme - Shoji Yamashiro 3.41
L.A. Story (1991) Exile - Enya 4.22
Black Hawk Down (2001) Leave No Man Behind - Hans Zimmer 6.20
Thursday Jan 19, 2012
Mark of the Ninja
Thursday Jan 19, 2012
Thursday Jan 19, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
This turned out to be one of my top ten video games of all time. An amazing example of stealth mechanics applied with perfect communication from developers to player.
Wednesday Jan 18, 2012
The 10 Most Important Video Games of the Seventh Generation
Wednesday Jan 18, 2012
Wednesday Jan 18, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
We got together to discuss which games were not necessarily best by any means, but most important for the period between 2005 and 2012 that makes up the so-called seventh generation. The list ended up quite contentious.
Monday Jan 16, 2012
The Legend of Aang: Book 3 - Fire
Monday Jan 16, 2012
Monday Jan 16, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
This covers the third season of this amazing animated series.
Once again this episode has spoilers including how the whole thing ends so we don’t recommend you listen until you’ve seen Book 3: Fire and finished The Legend of Aang.
Joining me once again to talk about Firebending, ethics and the pressure heaped upon children, I have Daniel Floyd, Pixar animator and the voice of Extra Credits, Joshua Garrity of the Cane and Rinse podcast and The Animation Archives, and from Gonzo Planet, Sharon Shaw, Jerome McIntosh and Duane Griffiths.
Next week, The Legend of Korra - Book 1: Air
Sunday Jan 15, 2012
The Legend of Aang: Book 2 - Earth
Sunday Jan 15, 2012
Sunday Jan 15, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
We cover the second season of this amazing animated series.
Once again this episode has spoilers so we don’t recommend you listen until you’ve seen Book 2: Earth.
Joining me once again to talk about Earthbending, a heightened sense of emotional engagement and the most wonderful blind character in all of creation, I have Daniel Floyd, Pixar animator and the voice of Extra Credits, Joshua Garrity of the Cane and Rinse podcast and The Animation Archives, and from Gonzo Planet, Sharon Shaw, Jerome McIntosh and Duane Griffiths.
Saturday Jan 14, 2012
The Legend of Aang: Book 1 - Water
Saturday Jan 14, 2012
Saturday Jan 14, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
We cover the first season of this amazing animated series.
If you haven’t heard it yet (and that’s unlikely as it’s been the most popular Gonzo episode of all time) then go check out our spoiler-free introduction to the show and movie review first. This episode here has spoilers so we don’t recommend you listen until you’ve seen Book 1: Water.
Joining me once again to talk about Waterbending, Frozen Frogs and Koh the Face Stealer I have Daniel Floyd, Pixar animator and the voice of Extra Credits, Joshua Garrity of the Cane and Rinse podcast and The Animation Archives, and from Gonzo Planet, Sharon Shaw, Jerome McIntosh and Duane Griffiths.
Friday Jan 13, 2012
Gonzo Planet Expo 2012
Friday Jan 13, 2012
Friday Jan 13, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
This was live footage recorded at the first of four annual get-togethers we held for our community. We may someday do a fifth.
Thursday Jan 12, 2012
The Making of Batman: Breakdown
Thursday Jan 12, 2012
Thursday Jan 12, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
This is a two part epic investigation into the making of Batman: Breakdown.
There's so much detail, so many hidden references and so much forethought behind the writing and production that this ended up needing two shows to contain it.
I am joined by Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits who played Robin, Neil Taylor of KDS 2.0 who played Nightwing and Sharon Shaw of Gonzo Planet who played Doctor Jennifer Whitman. There is also an extensive discussion between myself and story editor David Hartrick of the wildly popular football website In Bed with Maradona.
Between us we deconstruct the many complex, continuity-accurate and psychologically sound aspects of this dramatic, emotional, disturbing story of The Dark Knight. I've spent a long time layering in audio to give context to the dialogue and make this an entertaining, enlightening document of what might be the best single piece of work I've ever put out there.
Also outtakes. Those are great too.
In the second half we deconstruct the story elements and discuss how said elements were constructed to make this feel like a real part of the Batman story.
Discussed here are the later scenes and the climax. At the very end there is a special treat in the shape of EPIC OUTTAKES. As well as this the tantalizing prospect of further installments to this new continuity.
Once again a huge thank you to everyone involved in making this, Sassy, Tara, Matt Ramsey and Matt Whetter, James and Leah, David Hartrick on Story and my guests Sharon, Neil and Dan.
Tuesday Jan 10, 2012
Batman: Breakdown [Audio Drama]
Tuesday Jan 10, 2012
Tuesday Jan 10, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
This is my first full-length audio drama. It was designed to be enjoyed by comic fans but also to people who are only familiar with the Nolan films the Arkham video games or the Animated Series. I wanted to write something significant, honest and authentic about the Batman legend and with a lot of help from long-time serious Bat-fan, David Hartrick, I was able to shape a series of ideas into a hopefully coherent story. None of the cast, including myself are professional actors, but we all worked very hard to capture the essence of the characters we portrayed. The writing, organisation and editing all of this together took dozens of hours, but it's been equal parts exhausting and rewarding. I'd of course ideally love to see this adapted into a comic mini-series or animated movie someday (hint, hint, DC). Oh and for Batman enthusiasts, take note, this is an Elseworlds tale that takes place after the 2005 storyline Under the Hood, but before the 2006 storyline Infinite Crisis.
Script: Alex Shaw / Story: Alex Shaw & David Hartrick / Editing: Alex Shaw
Cast
Bruce Wayne/Batman: Alex Shaw
Barbara Gordon/Oracle: Leah Haydu
Dick Grayson/Nightwing: Neil Taylor
Tim Drake/Robin: Daniel Floyd
Clark Kent/Superman: James Batchelor
Diana Prince/Wonder Woman: Tara Nelson
Selina Kyle/Catwoman: Cassandra Corgard
Alfred Pennyworth: Matthew Ramsey
Doctor Jennifer Whitman: Sharon Shaw
Cops: Matt Whetter/Sharon Shaw/Alex Shaw
Thieves: Neil Taylor/Matt Whetter/Alex Shaw
Bank Clerk: Cassandra Corgard
Estelle: Tara Nelson
David Hartrick writes for In Bed With Maradona, the award-winning home of World Football: http://inbedwithmaradona.com/
If you like this production and you believe, like we do, that as many people as possible should hear this then please suggest it to everyone you know who likes a good Batman story. Tweet about it, make a big deal on FaceBook, post YouTube comments, leave an iTunes review, get this thing heard. I've been supremely hard at work on my original audio drama series New Century for the past few years. If you like this production you'll love hearing where I go with what I learned. However I think I'm done with Batman audio drama for the time being. It's very unlikely I'll do Hush and Breakdown is almost impossible to follow up on in a satisfying way. Believe me, David and I have gone over potential plots and it really feels better to leave the future of Gotham ambiguous. I'm not saying never, but for now let's just say this and the Killing Joke were my two forays into the Dark Knight mythology.
Monday Jan 09, 2012
Arkham Asylum + Arkham City
Monday Jan 09, 2012
Monday Jan 09, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
Two of the finest games focused on a comic book hero, Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City are the subject of this week’s show. This is 50+ hours of content to cram into 123 minutes but my team of assembled guests are once again entirely dedicated to their art.
They’re enormous and filled with secrets and we endeavour to uncover and explore some of the more intriguing aspects. We look at these cocktails of Batman history, character representation and citing the responses of FilmCritHulk the knotty situation of gender issues inherent in a small but significant percentage of one of these titles.
In the Batcave; Neil Taylor of GameBurst, KDS 2.0 and Desert Island Gonzo and Jerome McIntosh and Paul Gibson of Gonzo Planet.
Sunday Jan 08, 2012
Batman: Hush
Sunday Jan 08, 2012
Sunday Jan 08, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
This week rather than looking at another Batman movie, I've turned my attention to my favourite of his many graphic novels.
Hush was written in 2002 by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee and is a mystery thriller featuring a massive cast of heroes and villains, manipulated from the shadows by a brilliant and malevolent masked figure named Hush, who seems to know far too much about Batman.
The art is wonderful, the writing compelling. This is a story filled with moments that will make you cheer and gasp. An absolute 100% recommendation from myself and my team today; Paul Gibson and Jerome McIntosh of Gonzo Planet. We endeavour to talk you through the key details of the story without spoiling the overall mystery, assisted by an excellent article by a new contributor David Hartrick.
This Sunday we look at three quality animated outings; Year One, Under the Red Hood and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. Next week, in-depth video game reviews of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City.
Thursday Jan 05, 2012
Gonzo Planet Audio Magazine: Vol. 2
Thursday Jan 05, 2012
Thursday Jan 05, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
The second and final wave of audio articles laid down on Gonzo Planet for that short span of time when it was a magazine site.
Wednesday Jan 04, 2012
Gonzo Planet Audio Magazine: Vol. 1
Wednesday Jan 04, 2012
Wednesday Jan 04, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2011]
This is a collection of the first wave of audio articles published on Gonzo Planet, my short-lived project to bring together various people I knew to provide daily written and audio content.
Tuesday Jan 03, 2012
Game of Thrones [Season 1]
Tuesday Jan 03, 2012
Tuesday Jan 03, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
This is one of a pair of what are likely to be the only shows we will ever do on Game of Thrones. They were recorded back after the first season when we loved it.
Now we don't.
The second part has spoilers, but I think pretty much everyone in the world, including kindergartners have seen this now.
Monday Jan 02, 2012
What Happened to GAME?
Monday Jan 02, 2012
Monday Jan 02, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
We go wayyy back to early 2012 when UK retailer GAME were severely in trouble. They somehow managed to save themselves for several years by making many shrewd and often cruel decisions. This episode is a look at how they got where they did.
Guests: Gary Blower and James Batchelor of GameBurst.
Sunday Jan 01, 2012
Legends of Zelda II: Skyward Sword
Sunday Jan 01, 2012
Sunday Jan 01, 2012
[Digital Gonzo 2012]
Listen back to how very hand-holdy it was, as well as some of the brilliant things it achieved with Wii Motion plus.
You will hear from six guests on the highs and lows of one of the last significant games on Nintendo's most popular console to date.
* Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits
* Leah Haydu of GamerDork
* James Batchelor of GameBurst
* Gary Blower of GameBurst and Big Red Potion
* Joshua Garrity of Cane and Rinse
* Darren Gargette of Cane and Rinse
All of whom have produced work for Gonzo Planet in the past. Their interviews are set against a backdrop of music both from Skyward Sword and the Zelda 25th Anniversary symphony. There are sections on what made them happy about the game, what made them unhappy and what they would like to see in future Zelda games. There is also a spoiler section at the end covering plot points from the Temple of Time onwards. It's safe to listen to all but the last 20 minutes or so of the show, even if you've not yet played Skyward Sword, but save the ending for when you've finished or if you don't mind spoilers.