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Episode 19 – In It to Win It

Episode 19 – In It to Win It

In the interest of full disclosure, this episode is filled with the pop hits of yesteryear, so be warned. When not mining recent top 40 hits, Dan and Andrew slide into their usual avenues of nerdy and geeky conversation in episode 19.

Week in Geek: Andrew talks about the Kickstarting documentary, A Brief History of Time Travel, while Dan watches a documentar about voice acting, I Know That Voice.

Breaking News: With this week’s announcement that a Tetris-based movie is going forward, Andrew regales Dan with this pitch for the flick.

Discussion: Fox recently announced that an extended “Rogue Cut” of X-Men: Days of Future Past will be released to home video––restoring footage not featured in the theatrical cut of the film––Dan and Andrew discuss the purpose, audience, and need of extended cuts/director’s cuts of movies.

Conspiracy Corner: When Dan received a copy of the free “Marvel’s 75th Celebration” magazine, he was surprised at the glaring omissions on the cover. Was it sly movie marketing or a case of bigotry (admittedly, against a fictional peoples)?

Question of the Week: Since October is now upon us, we turn our sights toward Halloween; so, even this early in the month, we ask:

What is your favorite genre of horror movie?

You can submit your answers on the page for this week’s episode at forall.libsyn.com. Feel free to submit your answers to either (or both) our official Facebook or Google+ pages. You can also e-mail any questions, comments, or concerns to forallpod@gmail.com

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Featured Music:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio

-“Falling Blocks (the Trance)” and “Falling Blocks (the Funk)” by Prometheus Darkened

-“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye

-“Born This Way” by Lady Gaga

Episode 18 – All the Way

Episode 18 – All the Way

It’s been a good week for nerds, what with Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D starting its second season and Gotham premiering (and that’s just on tv), so Andrew and Dan decided to bolster those good vibes in this new episode.

Week in Geek: Andrew paints miniatures for Shadows of Brimstone. Dan (with his wife) finishes his second watching of the Buffy and Angel run-through.

There Can Be Only One: In which Dan and Andrew puzzle over how the Highlander franchise has lasted so long and made so many bad (with a few very good) iterations of the premise.

Discussion: Zombies. ‘Nuff said.

The Silent Hero: Continuing their coverage of geeky things that they feel deserve more attention, this week Andrew and Dan discuss their love for Squaresoft’s (for it was not Square-Enix at the time) groundbreaking (and seemingly forgotten?) classic, Chrono Trigger.

Question: What fiction (tv/movie/game/book/story/etc.) has your most favorite iteration or use of time travel?

Answer in the comments to this episode’s post at forall.libsyn.com. Or you may leave a comment after joining the offical For All Intents and Purposes pages at either Facebook or Google+ (do a search at each site to find it). You may also e-mail any comments or questions to forallpod@gmail.com.

For all intents and purposes, that’s an episode recap.

Music:
-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio

-“Princes of the Universe” by Queen

-“Robo’s Theme” and “Frog’s Theme” by Yasunori Mitsuda

Episode 16 – Of Underwear Models & Wayward Sons

Episode 16 – Of Underwear Models & Wayward Sons

A new episode of For All Intents and Purposes is here in true episodic fashion! Though PAX may be done and no huge events seem to be around the corner, it’s back to business as usual.

The Week in Geek: Andrew plays the Battlestar Galactica board game and actually keeps his friends this time, while Dan watches Academy Award-nominated animated short films––specifically, “Adam and Dog” by Minkyu Lee. Also, Dan will be an exhibitor at this year’s Crocker-Con in Sacramento at the Crocker Art Museum. It happens on Thursday, 11 September, from 5-9pm. Be there!

Boasts of Bethel: Close-reading the second episode of Doctor Who‘s 8th series, “Into the Dalek,” Dan investigates the most prominent question on Whovians’ minds: Is Clara actually a good English teacher?

Discussion: Since Dan started watching Supernatural this week, he remembers the good old days of episodic nerdy drama and he and Andrew ponder why so much television has become serialized and whether it has helped or hurt the medium.

Love the Craft: Andrew and Dan look at another story by H. P. Lovecraft. This time, it’s one Andrew hasn’t read before, an exciting, frightening, and…funny (?) short called, “The Hound.”

Question: Hot off the presses of Apple’s press conference and their announcement of the Apple Watch, Dan and Andrew wonder:

What are your thoughts on the rise of “smart”, on-your-body peripherals for your phones?

Leave your answers on the page for this episode at forall.libsyn.com, or join and leave a comment at the For All Intents and Purposes Facebook and/or Google+ pages. You may also send us your answers, questions, or comments at forallpod@gmail.com

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Episode 15 – Yes and Yes and No and No

Episode 15 – Yes and Yes and No and No

It’s time for PAX coverage with Dan and Andrew (mostly Andrew)! But before we get to PAX goodness, we must first get down to business.

Week in Geek: For All Intents and Purposes now has an official Facebook page and an official Google+ page! Join them for regular updates, links, and interesting discussion. Meanwhile, Dan watches a documentary about a movie that was never made––Jodorowsky’s Dune––and, guess what, Andrew goes to PAX Prime.

Andrew Interviews: Andrew interviews Luke and Nicole from both Across The Board Games.net and Nerdy Seattle.com to talk about PAX! An intriguing interview spread across two parts that has them discuss everything from video games, to tabletop games, to diversity in gaming! The interview is broken up with:

Discussion: Andrew and Dan discuss a recent study that shows that 92% of PC games purchased this year were digital. They discuss this physical-media-less trend and what it means and its benefits and deficits.

Question: After discussing what they found most intriguing about this year’s PAX Prime, they prance into a more light-hearted affair to ask:

What is a cartoon/animated show you feel deserves a second look?

Leave your responses and/or comments at this episode’s post at forall.libsyn.com, or feel free to send your responses, comments, or inquiries to forallpod@gmail.com. Also, be sure to join our official Facebook and Google+ pages to stay up to date with updates, links to interesting articles and websites, and join in on the episode’s discussion.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Music from this Episode:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio

-“Space Cruise (Title)” by Ben Prunty (from FTL: Faster Than Light (Official Soundtrack))

-“Into the Wilderness” by Michiko Naruke (from Wild Arms)

-“I Giorni Dell’ira (Days of Anger)” by Riz Ortolani (from Django Unchained)

-“You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito (from The Karate Kid)

Episode 14 – Cautiously Pessimistic

Episode 14 – Cautiously Pessimistic

With a revived vigor, Dan and Andrew tackle one of the [relatively] biggest topics yet: Doctor Who. Not to worry, however, because they surround their Doctor Who talk with the usual thoughtful commentary about topics that For All Intents and Purposes envelops.

Week in Geek: Andrew watches To Be Takei and Dan talks about working with an artist on Long John.

The Mass Effect Series: Another installment in their look at culturally and intellectually important video games, Dan and Andrew expand their breadth and discuss why the entire Mass Effect series is so important.

Discussion: As expected, Andrew and Dan watched the new episode of Doctor Who‘s Series 8, “Deep Breath”, a bit too closely and have a lot of things to say about it, focusing on the 12th Doctor (as played by Peter Capaldi), its themes, and how it fits in to the show overall.

The Big Lebowski: Expanding their breadth even more, Dan and Andrew discuss a movie that they feel is culturally and intellectually important, hoping to expose an angle on the Coen Bros.’ The Big Lebowski that you haven’t really considered before.

Question: Much like Comic Con before it, another huge convention is about to happen––the Penny Arcade Expo, colloquially known as PAX (or PAX Prime). So, with that in mind we want to know,

What came out of PAX that got you excited and/or intrigued?

Since it hasn’t happened yet, Andrew and Dan couldn’t quite answer the question. However, we’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment at the post for this episode at forall.libsyn.com, or e-mail us at forallpod@gmail.com.

For all intents and purposes, that was an episode recap.

Music from this episode:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio

-“Saren” by Jack Wall (from Mass Effect: Original Soundtrack)

-“New Worlds” by Jack Wall (from Mass Effect 2)

-“Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.

Episode 13 – The Space Dog and Bacchus show.

Episode 13 – The Space Dog and Bacchus show.

It’s the thirteenth episode as Dan and Andrew do their best to avoid any and all calamity.

Week in Geek:  Andrew plays the new Dungeons and Dragons to…interesting results. Dan bought a book about comics theory, Comics and Sequential Art by Will Eisner.

Boasts of Bethel: Dan discusses why he doesn’t think the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Movie isn’t a complete disaster.

Discussion: Now that they have both seen Guardians of the Galaxy, they discuss its impact within the overall Marvel Cinematic Universe and how the MCU could and/or should look from this point forward.

Andrew’s Cross-Examination: Andrew interviews Seattle-based indie game designer, Kai Cambra about his interesting thoughts about game design.

Nerd Question: It’s almost time for Peter Capaldi’s Doctor to be revealed to the world; so, with that in mind, we ask:

With the coming of the 12th Doctor, who is your favorite Doctor and/or what is your favorite Doctor Who moment?

Answer in the comments to this episode’s post at forall.libsyn.com. Or feel free to e-mail your answer––and any comments or questions about the show––to forallpod@gmail.com.

For all intents and purposes, that’s an episode recap.

See you next week!

Episode 12 – Our Best Work

Episode 12 – Our Best Work

Andrew and Dan keep it interesting by presenting you a very special episode of A Podcast [ , ] For All Intents and Purposes.  With outside commitments preventing them from recording at their usual time, the format and structure of this episode present new and exciting ideas to your (14th!) favorite geeky and nerd discussion podcast.

Week in Geek: Andrew buys new tabletop games––Caverna and Province––while Dan sees Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Andrew Interrogates:  Andrew sits down with Seattle tabletop guru, Jake Waltier, to discuss tabletop gaming, especially in the Seattle area.

[ , ] Original: Referencing a joke made at the end of episode 9, Dan wrote and recorded a folk rock original, “Cthulhu Clock.”

Andrew Cross-Examines: Next, Andrew sits down with the founders of Across the Board Games.Net, Nicole Jekich and Luke Turpeinen.

Nerd Question: With the tabletop-heavy content this week, we ask you to tell us:

What is the tabletop game that is most intriguing and/or interesting to you right now?

Submit your answers or any questions as a comment to this episode’s post at forall.libsyn.com.  You can also e-mail us at forallpod@gmail.com.

For all intents and purposes, that’s an episode recap.

Music from this Episode:

-“Stayin’ in Black” by Wax Audio

-“Cthulhu Clock” by D. Bethel

-“Dinosaucers theme” by Shuki Levy and Haim Saban

Cthulhu Clock Lyrics

(written and recorded by D. Bethel)

On the road to Rhode Island to put my mind at ease,

A secluded cabin hideaway beneath the ocean’s breeze.

It’s just a place to settle down and rest my weary head,

and I would but for a strange cuckoo clock that was mounted above my bed.

Cthulhu clock, Cthulhu clock

It penetrates my mind.

Cthulhu clock, Cthulhu clock

I hear its ceaseless chime.

Its wretched screams are endless as they

ring out through my dreams.

And until I’m driven mad…it’s not as bad as it seems.

At first, my mind was singing in the perfect solitude.

Finally, alone with all my thoughts in a bright and hopeful mood.

But as weeks wore on a creeping dread fell on me with the night

Because every hour that clock would sound filled with antediluvian fright.

Though my master remains sleeping, one day he will arise,

and amid a tenebrous cavalcade I’ll gladly proselytize.

What are these thoughts surrounding me? I cannot look away.

With every toll another part of me begins to painfully fade away.

Cthulhu clock, Cthulhu clock,

I’m clawing at my eyes.

Cthulhu clock, Cthulhu clock,

All life I now despise.

My nerve-ends are exploding because

I cannot understand:

Am I just a speck of dust in your giant, god-like hand?

Episode 06 – Heart Law, Article 9

Episode 06 – Heart Law, Article 9

The guys are back and push it to 11!  Because Dan lives in Sacramento, and it is summer, you’ll hear his floor fan humming along throughout the episode––you’ve been warned! In a very energetic episode, Andrew and Dan discuss the following:

Week in Geek: Andrew continues to play X-Com, but not before also playing some 13th Age.  Dan plays the demo for Valiant Hearts and nearly cries while doing so.

Andrew Objects: Breaking into our regularly scheduled Boasts of Bethel, Andrew addresses the idea that your role-playing game is better (or worse) than anybody elses…and why that might be a problem.

Nerd Debate:  Dan sees Transformers: Age of Extinction which gets the guys to ponder the role of 80s nostalgia in popular culture. Then Dan tells Michael Bay how to make Transformers movies.

Games That Matter:  Andrew and Dan discuss the importance and impact of Konami’s (more appropriately, Hideo Kojima’s) Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

Last Call: After reviewing listener responses to last week’s question, Dan and Andrew get into a semantic debate, which must be resolved by you:

Which term is most appropriate to describe our culture: nerd or geek (other?)? Why?

Leave a comment on the episode’s post at forall.libsyn.com, or on either Dan or Andrew’s Facebook/Google+/Twitter posts, leave a comment on iTunes, or email us at forallpod [at] gmail.com

Until next week, for all intents and purposes, this is an episode breakdown.

Episode 05 – Remembers the Poops

Episode 05 – Remembers the Poops

With Dan running at about 60%, Andrew boldly steps up to the reins and wheels a new episode through to the finish line.  Under his masterly guidance, they competently discuss the following:

Week in Geek – Andrew plays X-Com again.  Dan plays Street Fighter IV for the first time.

Boasts of Bethel – Dan discusses thinking about making comics too hard.

Nerd Topics – Writer/director Rian Johnson was announced to helm episode 8 of Star Wars (and possibly episode 9), and with that news Dan and Andrew discuss the worlds of reboots and continuations and what it all means.

Who Cares (title still pending) – The guys discuss a Doctor Who event that is particularly near and dear to Andrew as he had to say goodbye to his Doctor in a particularly gruesome fashion.  They discuss Doctor Who: The Movie.

Closing Time – Before getting to the new nerdly question, fans’ answers to last week’s question are addressed.  But this week they ask:

What nerd product/media do you feel represents or comments on its era? Why?

What is your answer to this question?  Leave a comment either at forall.libsyn.com, the posts on Facebook, or send an email at forallpod [at] gmail.com and your answers will be read on the next episode!

It’s an exciting week!  For all intents and purposes, that’s an episode recap.

Boasts of Bethel: Getting to the Point

Boasts of Bethel: Getting to the Point

This Boast is framed around Game of Thrones and does not discuss content; so, there are no spoilers contained herein.

I like the Game of Thrones tv show more than A Song of Ice and Fire––the book series its based on––for a variety of reasons.  First, each book has a page length that, at this point, can only be measured in scientific notation.  At this point in my life, I have taken a firm stance and won’t read books over three-hundred pages (though exceptions can occur)––I’ve got too much else to do and my stupid brain isn’t able to remember that much story.  Second (though related to the first), the ten episodes (at one hour each) that make up each season is the perfect amount for me to not only consume and still have time left in my day but to also remember everything that’s going on.  I have my quibbles about the show, sure, but on the whole I enjoy it quite a bit.

But don’t tell me to read the books, especially because they’re “better.”  Of that I have no doubt.  It is a fact that tv shows are terrible books because, by definition, tv shows are not books.  However, the reverse is also true.

Nerds’ slavish devotion to source material puts us into a strange quandary––we are super excited that our beloved stories and characters are getting adapted to other media––and, moreover, they’re super successful––but we also become obsessive hair-splitters who feel the need to declare that one version (usually the original) is superior to the other (usually the adaptation).  I had to stop doing that because I wanted to actually enjoy these adaptations––especially when they’re good.  My first major encounter with this “disappointment” was with Brian Singer’s first X-Men movie.  Namely, how characters were shifted around in terms of relationships and ages for reasons that didn’t seem to make sense.  The biggest offender in this regard was the character of Rogue who, in the comics, was the same age as most of the main cast and even had intimate relations with Magneto for awhile.  For the movie, they basically made her a mixture of Jubilee (i.e., Wolverine’s teenage apprentice) and Kitty Pride (i.e., the new student at the school who is initially wary of being a mutant).

Though I enjoyed the movie because, in terms of general characterization, Singer got the X-Men right, I made sure to note that it differed from the comics drastically (I am proud to say that I never cared about the lack of comic-inspired costumes, however).  What turned me around was when I thought back to the X-Men cartoon from the ‘90s––another adaptation I was incredibly excited about.  The series was extraordinarily faithful to the comics despite some dodgy animation and I remember being so excited for each episode to start on Saturday mornings that I couldn’t sit still.  However, the feeling that dominates my memories of the show is mostly boredom.  I eventually stopped watching it about halfway into season 3.  It remained incredibly faithful and was even doing some direct adaptations of stories from the comics, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care.  I realized that the show was too close to the comics, that I had already consumed this content but through a different medium––so why would I want to see it on tv if I have the comics in a longbox?

Great artistic expressions are made by artists––that is, people who are adept at expressing themselves in a particular medium.  A great comic book storyteller does not necessarily make a great film director or screenwriter (re: Frank Miller’s Will Eisner’s The Spirit)––a great director makes a movie great.  If properties are being adapted into other media, I’d much rather see an artist of that medium approach the work so that the adaptation will mean something on its own and to not simply be “the movie version” or “the tv version.”  Such requirements diminish the importance of the source material when being adapted.  I point to things like the Hellboy movies––the second one, especially, feels right at home in Guillermo Del Toro’s oeuvre.  I point to The Walking Dead––both the tv show and Telltale’s episodic video game series.  I point to Darwyn Cooke’s Parker graphic novels.  I point to Game of Thrones.

All of these adaptations are done right––they focus on making a good example of the medium which is neither a “dumbing down” of a property to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, nor a point-for-point recreations of the originals.  They want to make a good movie, game, comic, or television show first rather than just make the source material dance like a marionette.  What makes a good book does not make a movie good.  A good adapter knows that and works with the ideas, themes, and characters of the source material to make them as viable to the new medium as they were to the original.  To do that may require changes, however, but if those changes are made out of the same desire to tell a good story––the same motivation as the original creator––then it should yield good results.  Differences don’t make things bad––that’s called bigotry.  Differences are just different, and as a fan it’s important to ask why––not just in terms of the story, but in terms of the medium.

The truth is the correlation between adaptations and their source material is more akin to alternate universes than family relationships.  They rarely feed off on one another, especially once they get going.  The choices one makes neither adversely nor, necessarily, favorably affects the other.  They are separate entities and should be viewed that way.  I’m sure the A Song of Ice and Fire novels have much more complexity and intricacy in terms of plot and character; I understand that.  Game of Thrones, for a tv show, is just as wonderfully complex and dynamic––compared to other tv shows.  And though A Song of Ice and Fire fans have been clamoring eagerly for book 6 in the series for three years––a book which will hold much more information and story than the tv show could ever muster––I’m comforted by the fact that I know I only have to wait a year for season 5.