It Came From YouTube, Part 3

Aloha everybody!

In a blatant effort to provide more than episodes on this site, I have decided to continue my series of articles showcasing some of my favorite YouTube clips.

1) I dislike commercials as much as anybody (and haven't you noticed that the commercial breaks get a little bit longer every year? Perhaps it just SEEMS longer) but every now and then I see one that not only makes me remember just what they're trying to advertise, but it also provides a good laugh in an otherwise bland TV-viewing experience. Here is one of my current favorites:



2) While searching for music clips to some of my favorite video games, I happened upon this little gem, using the music composition function from the classic Super Nintendo title Mario Paint. If you don't get an instant trip down memory lane while watching this clip, then you're either too young to remember stuff like this, or something might be wrong with you...



3) It should be said that I love good music, whatever its source. And after surfing YouTube one evening, I came across this old clip from the The Steve Allen Show that features a now-classic theme written by the late award-winning composer Henry Mancini. The showcased lineup of soloists include some of the premier players of their time.



4)Continuing our apparent musical theme, I found this excerpt from Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas while browsing about three months ago. Incidentally, this song is my favorite in the entire movie.



5) And we now end this installment with one of my favorite Monty Python routines ever. It's hard to believe that I first saw this 14 years ago, and it still makes me laugh today! This is what comedy it all about.



See You In Cyberspace,

~Totoro (Executive Producer)

Otaku 5-0 Season 3: Episode 4

Aloha everybody,

For this episode of Otaku 5-0, I return to the center seat as moderator and direct my fellow panelists (Mr. A, Jupiter, Maka & Zell) through another series of topic discussion, ending with the latest installment of The Gauntlet (our version of, "the impromptu Q & A") with Executive Producer Mr. A in the hot seat.

Additionally, I am very happy to report that, due to some slight tweaking with my computer's sound settings, I have finally gotten the sound quality of our podcast to a "professional" level (if I could use a Goldilocks analogy, it's not too soft or too loud... but just right.)

So sit back and enjoy the fruit of our labors, and we hope you have as much fun listening to this as we had 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 3.4

Recording Date: August 24, 2009
Running Time: 89 minutes

Moderator
Totoro (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)
Zell (Contributor-at-Large)

Format
1. Pearl of Wisdom (Jupiter)

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. Random Chatter... BlizzCon 2009 (including a brief rundown on the newly-announced WoW expansion) & other MMORPG-related discussion

4. The Top 3... Quentin Tarantino Films (Totoro, Mr. A, Maka & Zell)

5. Please Produce This...

6. The Gauntlet - Mr. A

Questions
A. Which Star Trek era would you prefer to live in?

B. What is your signature Yu-Gi-Oh spell?

C. Whom would you take to a biker fight - A Biker Chick or Preppy Blonde Girl?

D. What weapon would you most want to carry as you struggle to survive in the midst of a Zombie outbreak?

E. Do you see media as a method for the free exchange of ideas or blatant escapist fare?

F. Star Wars: Jedi or Sith?

G. What piece of fictional technology would you like to see invented in your lifetime?

H. If you were to be sent on a mission into deep space, and could take 3 friends with you, whom would you pick?

I. If you were sent back in time, what time period would you like to go to and how would you survive?

J. What would be your greatest flaw?

7. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
- Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Eyecatch" from Full Metal Panic!

- 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, "Eyecatch" 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

Otaku 5-0 Season 3: Episode 3

Aloha everybody,

In the latest episode, our crack podcast team (myself, Jupiter & Mr. A with a special appearance by Maka) not only record our first CLEAN episode of the season, but we wrap up the first installment of what may be my new favorite topic - DVD Grab Bag!

Yay! Short intro paragraph FTW!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 3.3

Recording Date: August 17, 2009 (Monday)
Running Time: 78 minutes

Co-Moderators
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Totoro (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)

Format
1. A WoW Moment (Maka)

2. Lead-in (Jupiter)

3. Film & Book Report (Totoro & Maka)

4 Random Chatter... the upcoming Warcraft movie (Totoro & Maka)

5. DVD Grab Bag I, Part 2

Maka reviews The Queen
Totoro reviews Hard Boiled
Mr. A reviews The Gathering Storm
Jupiter reviews This Is Spinal Tap

6. Least Favorite... Comic/Comic Book Franchise
Editor's Note: During this topic discussion, I named "The Family Circle" as my least favorite newspaper/single-panel comic. The actual name of the comic strip is The Family Circus.

7. A Serious Conversation About... Fall Entertainment

8. Random Chatter... Kamen Rider (Mr. A & Maka)

9. 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!, "Scarlet of the Campus" 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

Otaku 5-0 Season 3: Episode 2

Aloha everybody!

For this installment of our podcast, we have a number of firsts. Not only did Mr. A put in his first stint as moderator, we also unveil two new topics for your consideration: DVD Grab Bag & How We Would Have Done It!

1. DVD Grab Bag
Suggested by Mr. A as a way for us to expand our movie-viewing palette, this topic will be executed in two parts:

*Part 1: A select group of staffers (in this case Mr. A, Jupiter, Maka and myself) will bring 3 DVDs from their personal collections, which will be put together in a vessel of some kind (in this case, a brown paper bag.) Then each staffer will select, on-air, 1 DVD that they MUST watch. However, a staffer may be allowed to re-select his/her DVD under special circumstances:

- the staffer has already viewed the selected DVD (however he/she must be able to recall specific information about the characters and/or plot.)
- the staffer has a serious objection to the DVD's content (i.e. Jupiter refuses to watch any horror film)

*Part 2: During the next recording session, the staffers will be called upon to give an honest review of their selected DVD. Once a review is given, the DVD is returned to its original owner, who shall then offer a new DVD to the grab bag to be used in the next installment of the topic.

2) How We Would Have Done It
Originally written by me as an expansion to Sequels That Should Not Have Been Made, this topic is executed by myself asking the other panelists to come up with ways to improve a selected piece of entertainment (in this case, the much-maligned X-Men: The Last Stand.)

Lastly, joining us on the panel are Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director), Contributor-at-Large Smilex (who will soon be returning to Japan after vacationing in the Islands) and special guests Kekumanshoyu (Kawaii-kon Assistant Director of Registration & Assistant Director of Staffing/Operations) & Choco (Kawaii-kon Registration Director), who have some important announcements for next year's convention.

So, please sit back and enjoy the fruit of our labors as our 3rd season rolls on!

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 3.2

Recording Date: August 10, 2009
Running Time: 72 minutes

Moderator
Mr. A (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Totoro (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Neko-X (Video Game & Blu-ray Contributor)
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)

Smilex (Contributor-at-Large)

Special Guests
Kekumanshoyu (Kawaii-kon Assistant Registration Director & Assistant Staffing/Operations Director)
Choco (Kawaii-kon Registration Director)

Format
1. Totally Random Statement (Neko-X)

2. Lead-in (Mr. A)

3. Video Game & Blu-ray Report (Neko-X)

4. Random Chatter: Results & Experiences from the EVO 2009 Championship Series

5. DVD Grab Bag I, Part 1

Maka selected The Queen
Totoro selected Hard Boiled
Jupiter selected This Is Spinal Tap
Mr. A selected The Gathering Storm

6. Favorite... Children's Movie

7. How We Would Have Done It... X-Men: The Last Stand

8. Kawaii-kon 2010 Announcements (Kekumanshoyu & Choco)

9. Lead-out (Mr.A)

Musical Notes
- Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Eyecatch" from Full Metal Panic!
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, "Scarlet of the Campus" 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

Otaku 5-0 Season 3: Episode 1

Aloha everybody!

It's hard to believe that 365 days ago, myself and two friends (Cetic & Mr.A, who was then known as Cupid) got together and recorded the FIRST episode of our podcast. It should be said that until that time, none of us had ever done anything like this and we weren't entirely sure as to what the end result would be. But nonetheless, we were optimistic.

And as we enter into our second year, I am happy to say that my optimism hasn't faded at all. We have a LOT of stuff in store for you, so please stay tuned as we start our second calendar year!

To our longtime listeners, we would like to thank you for staying with us this long. To those of you are just joining us, I would like to welcome you with a heartfelt "Aloha" and hope that you find our efforts both informative & entertaining.

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 3.1

Recording Date: August 5, 2009 <--- Our 1-year anniversary! (Don't believe me? look here.)
Running Time: 86 minutes

Moderator
Totoro (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Kira (Anime & Manga Contributor)
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)
Zell (Contributor-at-Large)
Smilex (Contributor-at-Large)

Format
1. Opening Bit: A Misconception About Hawaii (Totoro)

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. Taking Stock
- Comparing what we wanted to do during our hiatus to what we actually did
- Staffing/Topic Updates

4. Anime & Manga Report (Kira)

5. Great Debate: Transformers or G.I. Joe?

6. X Reasons Why... This will be our best season of Otaku 5-0

7. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
- Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "Scarlet of the Campus" from Revolutionary Girl Utena, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, "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

Otaku 5-0 Audio Commentary: Harry Potter & The Sorceror's Stone

Aloha everybody!

After months of expectation, I am proud to present to you our first attempt at a fan-made audio commentary!

Ever since they started being produced, the audio commentary (which contains various thoughts & impressions of the cast & crew for a particular film) has become my favorite DVD special feature (and for those who are interested, my favorite example of an audio commentary is by historian Robert Lacey on the DVD for The Queen.)

While producing the podcast, I kept the possibility of recording fan commentary tracks for our favorite movies & TV shows in the back of my mind, primarily because my main concern was getting the podcast to a consistent level of quality. As our 2nd season was winding down, I was once again able to give serious thought to producing fan commentary tracks.

And since she was unable to attend the 2nd season finale, I gave Jupiter (Executive Producer) the opportunity to select the first film we would comment on: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone (2001).

And here we are...

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0 Audio Commentary: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone

Date Recorded: June 8, 2009
Running Times: 69 minutes (Part 1), 77 minutes (Part 2)

Panelists
Totoro (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Star (Film & Book Contributor)

Audience: Jenny, Jupiter's friend

MAJOR DISCLAIMER! Portions of these commentary tracks contain adult language. Listener discretion is advised. Additionally, the commentary tracks contain information from other sources in the Harry Potter franchise (including movies & books) that may be considered spoilers. Please consider yourself warned!

Because of uploading restrictions, we had to break up the commentary into two sections:

Commentary Part 1 (Scenes 1-17)
Commentary Part 2 (Scenes 18-36)

To sync up our commentary with your DVD version of the film, just follow the instructions below.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, download both parts of our audio commentary track to your computer or favorite mp3 player.


For Part 1:
1) Load up your DVD, and proceed to the main menu:


Then, move the cursor to, "Play Movie", but don't select it yet.

2) Start our audio commentary track, and select "Play Movie" when prompted to do so (right after I say, "1".)

OR

1) Load up your DVD, and select "Scene Selections" with your cursor at the DVD's main menu (pictured above.)

2) Scroll through the menu, and highlight Scene 1 with the cursor.

3. Play our audio commentary track, and select that scene when prompted to do so (right after I say, "1".)


For Part 2:
1) Load up your DVD, and select "Scene Selections" with your cursor at the DVD's main menu (pictured above.)

2) Scroll through the menu, and highlight Scene 18 with the cursor.

3. Play our audio commentary track, and select that scene when prompted to do so (on the count of "1" - Space Cowboys reference FTW!)

As this is our first attempt, any feedback/constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Either post it here as a comment or drop us an e-mail at Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

I hope you have as much fun listening to this as we had recording it.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)

Casting Couch: Take Seven

Aloha everybody!

Just because we're on hiatus doesn't mean that we're not still working to make Otaku 5-0 a more entertaining experience. To that end, I would like to continue the series of articles devoted to Casting Couch, my favorite Otaku 5-0 topic!

Let us do the time warp (Rocky Horror Picture Show reference FTW) back to last October, when myself, Mr. A & Cetic compiled a wish-list cast for a film treatment of The Legend of Zelda, one of the greatest video games of all time (in our humble opinion.)

For this installment, we only decided to cast the characters in the original game - Link, Princess Zelda & Ganon. Cetic and Mr. A settled on live-action performers, while I envisioned a total-CGI incarnation (a la Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and cast voice actors to reflect this. Although I should have expected it, Cetic once again steals the show with his "inspired" choices.

Link, the Hero

Our Suggestions: Orlando Bloom (Cetic), Freddie Highmore (Mr. A) & Spencer Breslin (Totoro)

Princess Zelda, the Distressing Damsel

Our Suggestions: Keira Knightley (Cetic), Dakota Fanning (Mr. A) & Grey DeLisle (Totoro)

Ganon, the Villain
Our Suggestions: Johnny Depp (Cetic), Ving Rhames (Mr. A) & Andy Serkis (Totoro)

And there you have it... An installment of Casting Couch that we will not soon forget. Please continue to stay tuned to this website for more feature articles and the audio commentary to Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)