Otaku 5-0 Season 3: Episode 15

pe-nul-ti-mate (adj.) - next to the last.

Aloha everybody!

Yes, we have arrived at that moment yet again. I am proud to present not only the latest episode of our podcast (and the penultimate episode for the 3rd Season) which includes my last Film & Book contributor report, the last (sort of) installment of DVD Grab Bag, and the FIRST installment of a new topic:

Duel To The Death
This topic, which will take place in a single episode, involves the selection of two characters - in this case, Homer Simpson (The Simpsons) & Peter Griffin (Family Guy). Next, each panelist must envision a particular challenge (physical or otherwise) between the combatants, and they must select a winner. The combatant who wins the most challenges shall be declared the winner!

On a more serious note, with Thanksgiving fast approaching we have decided (in an act of fortuitous timing) to pay homage to that nostalgic spirit by including a special edition of "The Top 3", in which we rank the things we are most thankful for. And since we'll be airing the next (and final) episode after we gorge ourselves of nature's plentiful bounty, I would like to extend our best wishes for a Happy (& safe) Thanksgiving to whoever may read this!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 3.15

Recording Date: November 23, 2009
Running Time: 72 minutes

Moderator
Jupiter (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Totoro (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Neko-X (Videogame & Blu-ray Contributor)
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)
Zell (Contributor-at-Large)
Jam (Contributor-at-Large)

Format
1. Totally Random Statement (Neko-X)

2. Lead-in (Jupiter)

3. Film & Book Report (Totoro)

4. An Otaku 5-0 Announcement (Totoro)

5. DVD Grab Bag IV, Part 2

Mr. A reviews The West Wing (Season 1, Disc 1)
Totoro reviews Megazone 23 (Part 1)
Jam reviews The Last Of The Mohicans
Jupiter reviews Returner

6. The Top 3... Things We Are Thankful For

7. Duel To The Death - Homer Simpson vs. Peter Griffin <-- 4th Season Topic Preview!

8. Lead-out (Jupiter)

Musical Notes
- Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Eyecatch" from Full Metal Panic!
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "Eyecatch 1" from Revolutionary Girl Utena, "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "Eyecatch" from Full Metal Panic! Fumoffu?
- Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. It can be either posted on this site as a comment or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Coming Soon...
Our Season 3 Finale!

Totoro's review of... Paranormal Activity!

Aloha everybody!
I FINALLY had the opportunity to see the oft-discussed, oft-recommended Paranormal Activity... And here is my review:

CAUTION! SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Story
If I were to compose a log line for this movie, it would read something like this: A couple in their 20's find themselves affected by a supernatural presence in their suburban California home. Short, sweet & to the point... I just wish the film was that way, especially in the beginning. But however, once the initial exposition is done, the film improves dramatically.

The Review
This film is similar in many ways to its great spiritual predecessor The Blair Witch Project - both films are supernatural-themed, feature actors (Katie & Micah) giving unscripted performances as themselves, focus more on atmosphere instead of action, and were shot on a very small budget (Blair Witch had an initial budget of around $20-25k, whereas Paranormal Activity was slightly smaller with $16k). As an aspiring filmmaker I can certainly take home a few lessons in addition to some sleepless nights. However, unlike Blair Witch, this film is set in a single location (Katie & Micah's Spanish-themed house) rather than various spots in a single locale (Blair Witch was shot at Maryland's Seneca Creek State Park.) Additionally, the film's believability is enhanced by its bare-bones production method. For example, the film is shot with a camera just a few steps above what you'd find at your local Best Buy - and exactly what a young couple in their 20s with some degree of wealth (Katie is a student & Micah's stated job is a day-trader) might have access to. Despite being glued to my seat, I found the film's ending to be its weakest point.

The Verdict
This movie (and by extension, its phenomenal box office success) is a prime example of successful micro-budget filmmaking. Despite the simplicity of its production, the film delivers some deeply suspenseful moments. And while I wholeheartedly recommend this film, I place it squarely in the SUSPENSE genre. Die-hard horror fans (like Cetic & his brother Lance) will probably find it slow & boring. 9/10

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)

Coming Soon...
Our next podcast episode!

Otaku 5-0 Season 3: Episode 14

Aloha everybody!

As it turns out, the 3rd season of our podcast will soon come to an end... And yes, the nostalgia has already started to set in. It is still hard for me to believe that we've been in production since August 5th (our 1-year anniversary, you may recall) and I am happy to say that we've got a LOT of stuff planned for Season 4!

But on this disclaimer-free episode (a rare occurrence indeed), The Big Three (myself, Mr. A & Jupiter) are joined on the panel by Gears (Contributor-at-Large) & Jam (Contributor-at-Large) as we commence this season's fourth (and final) installment of DVD Grab Bag, which has apparently become an audience favorite (Don't worry... It'll be back next season!)

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 3.14

Recording Date: November 16, 2009
Running Time: 56 minutes

Moderator
Totoro (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Neko-X (Videogame & Blu-ray Contributor)
Gears (Contributor-at-Large)
Jam (Contributor-at-Large)

Format
1. Bad Joke Of The Day (Mr. A)

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. Otaku 5-0 Announcements

- Our latest Epic Fail! (i.e. the Ghostbusters 2 Audio Commentary)
- A get-well message for Zyconis (Contributor-at-Large)

4. Videogame & Blu-ray Report (Neko-X)

5. Favorite... Game Show

6. DVD Grab Bag IV, Part 1

Mr. A selected The West Wing (Season 1, Disc 1)
Jam selected The Last Of The Mohicans
Neko-X selected Castle In The Sky
Jupiter selected Returner
Totoro selected Megazone 23 (Part 1)

7. How We Would Have Done It: The Resident Evil Movies

8. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances
- Ending Theme: "Breach Of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. It can be either posted on this site as a comment or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Coming Soon...
A review of Paranormal Activity & our next podcast episode!

It came from YouTube...Mr. A edition!

Howdy, everyone!
First of I'd like to apologize for tanking our Ghostbusters 2 commentary. We had quite a few technical problems that particular night so we decided to shelf the audio until a later date. Maybe one day you'll get to hear it, but for now I've decided to leave you with this awesome video I found. Enjoy!



Jaa mata,
Mr. A (Executive Ghostbuster)

Otaku 5-0 Season 3: Episode 13

Aloha everybody!

Since our 3rd season will soon be ending and this will be the last opportunity for us to report on specific areas of entertainment, I had decided to give more time for the next (and last) series of contributor reports before we enter our 2-month hiatus. So, we are joined on the panel by Kira (Anime & Manga Contributor) who delivers the last of his contributor reports for this season, along with Jam (Guest Contributor) who returns for his second episode.

However, I would be remiss if I did not extend my thoughts and good wishes to all of our military personnel as Veterans Day (November 11th) approaches. In particular, I would like to thank Peeps (Jupiter's husband, who is currently on deployment), Zell (Contributor-At-Large) & Gears (Contributor-At-Large) for their service to our nation.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 3.13

Recording Date: November 9, 2009
Running Time: 83 minutes

Moderator
Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Totoro (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Kira (Anime & Manga Contributor)
Jam (Contributor-at-Large)

Format
1. Pearl Of Wisdom (Jupiter)

2. Lead-in (Mr. A)

3. Anime & Manga Report (Kira, Totoro)

4. Least Favorite... TV Series

5. X Reasons Why... The Legend Of Zelda SHOULD NOT Be Developed As A Film Franchise

6. Good Sequel, Bad Sequel

7. Lead-out (Mr. A)

Musical Notes
- Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Catch (puff)" from Ah! My Goddess
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, " Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances
- Ending Theme: "Breach Of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
Otaku 5-0's Ghostbusters 2 audio commentary & our next podcast episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. It can be either posted on this site as a comment or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Otaku 5-0 Season 3: Episode 12

Aloha everybody!

I'm not sure I announced this before, so let me say it here. I enforce an "open-door" policy here at Otaku 5-0. If you as a fan make an effort to contact me and show your interest in, say, attending a recording session, then I would be happy to accommodate you. And for this installment, we are joined on the panel by Jam & Zyconis, two fans of our podcast who did just that!

Now before you listen in, let me say that I have observed a slight drop in the level of passionate discussion here at Otaku 5-0. Of course, there are many reasons for this... Perhaps our everyday lives have changed so that we have less energy... Perhaps we've grown too accustomed to one another that we don't push our boundaries as often... Perhaps we've come to see this podcast as a job or routine instead of something we want to do... Or perhaps it's because I'm running out of topic ideas, so we're forced to talk about stuff outside our level of expertise... But every once in a while, I come up with a topic that effortlessly brings the level of a discussion to a fervent pitch.

Now having produced every single episode of Otaku 5-0, I can speak with some authority on this... Out of what we've done so far, there are only a handful that I still listen to weeks or even months after it was originally aired... And I am proud to say that THIS will be one of those episodes!

So, please enjoy the fruit of our labors. We hope you have as much fun listening to this as we did recording it.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 3.12

Recording Date: November 2, 2009
Running Time: 64 minutes

Moderators
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Totoro (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Neko-X (Videogame & Blu-ray Contributor)
Zell (Contributor-At-Large)
Gears (Contributor-At-Large)
Maka (Technical Director)

Special Guests
Jam (Guest Contributor)
Zyconis (Guest Contributor)

Format
1. Parable Of The Week (Jupiter)

2. Lead-in (Jupiter, Totoro)

3. Introduction of Special Guests Jam & Zyconis

4. Topic From The Past - Least Favorite... Video Game (Episode 1.8)

5. Videogame & Blu-ray Report (Neko-X)

6. DVD Grab Bag III, Part 2

Zell reviews Casshern
Mr. A reviews Legend Of The Sacred Stone
Totoro reviews Drunken Master
Jupiter reviews A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash
Maka reviews Kodocha, Vol. 3

7. A Serious Conversation About... Adult Content In Entertainment

8. Lead-out (Jupiter)

Musical Notes
- Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Afternoon of Konoha" from Naruto
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Catch (nyaa)" from Ah! My Goddess, "Subtitle" from Revolutionary Girl Utena
- Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. It can be either posted on this site as a comment or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Coming Soon...
The next episode of Otaku 5-0!