Tag Archives: dragons

Eragon

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Eragon is a 2006 film based on the book series The Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini. The movie was touted as the beginning of this epic trilogy, but there was never a trilogy because the first movie kind of sucked. The movie is about a young guy who finds a dragon and then rides it into battle against the forces of evil. This should have made a pretty decent movie, but the plot is a mess. When it’s not being generic it’s confusing the hell out of the viewer.  Kasey watched the movie three times and was still unsure who the bad guys actually are.  Still, the movie is worth watching once for the sheer awesomeness of the dragon visuals.  The cgi holds up well, and the visual design of the evil dragon is badass.  Riding dragons is portrayed in a real jaw dropping way. It’s fun to watch the movie and simply insert yourself into Eragon’s place riding a totally awesome dragon who is your BFF FOR EVAH while you kill some evil dudes.

Because come on, you know you’ve day dreamed that before.

Links to Stuff we mentioned:
Nostalgia Chick - reviews of retro tv shows, movies, and toys. She’s kind of our hero.
An American Tail - there are no cats in America.
Inheritance Cycle - The books Eragon was very loosely based on.

Eragon Trailer


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Merlin Season 3 – 4

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The Adventures of Merlin

Merlin, aka. The Adventures of Merlin, is a British television show that started in 2008. It stars Colin Morgan as a young Merlin who must hide his magical powers because Camelot has outlawed all magic on threat of death. He spends his time secretly protecting Arthur and Camelot in hopes that Arthur will someday grow into a great King.

This review is for season (or series) 3 and 4 of Merlin. If you have not seen season 1 and 2 I encouraged you to check out our season 1-2 review or simply go watch the show. This episode does not even attempt to describe the premise of Merlin and completely spoils all of season three and four. So beware! This is no holds barred magical Arthurian spoiler time!

This television series just keeps getting better! The show makes a steady incline in quality throughout season three until its a really great show in season four. Does that make up for some of the lack luster episodes in season one? Yes, actually. I think it does. Many aspects of Arthur’s character development are finally barring fruit in season four that had seeds planted way back in season one. Merlin himself still has lots of room to grow, but he’s shown some welcome steps into becoming more pro-active instead of reactive (and ignoring Gaius’s terrible advice). Hopefully, in season five we’ll finally see him become the warlock of legend.

The series does have some problems, mostly involving Morganna’s strange character development. In season three, they take some dramatic shortcuts in her development. While its certainly plausible, the show doesn’t bother explaining or even showing the path it took her to reach her new persona. Furthermore, she doesn’t appear to have any remnants of her old persona at all. There’s some weird slippery slope fallacies going on there and odd inconsistencies. I wonder if this was because the writers were so determined to follow the path of the actual Arthurian legends? Who knows, but she’s definitely the weakest link in season three and four.

We highly recommend you check out this series. Make sure to start from the beginning though! If you watched season one and two and are on the fence about watching more, we think you should reconsider. The series gets continually better and really rewards long time listeners.

 

Merlin Season Three Trailer

Merlin Season Four Trailer

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Merlin Season 1-2

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Merlin CastMerlin also known as The Adventures of Merlin is a British BBC One TV show that started in 2008.   It was created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps.   As of this recording in May 2011 it has three television seasons with another slated for next autumn.   The series was created to be a family drama that children to grandparents could enjoy together.

PLOT: Camelot has outlawed magic.   Anyone seen practicing magic or helping someone practicing magic will be put to death by order of the king.   No exceptions.   Magical creatures are killed on sight, whether they are dangerous or not.   The king even killed every dragon in the land save one, which he imprisoned below the castle to serve as an example to anyone who dares to defy the King.

Merlin is sent to Camelot by his mother to stay with the Camelot royal physician named Gaius.   Through a series of fortunate (or unfortunate depending on who you ask) he comes to be the manservant of Prince Arthur.   Now, he must use his powers in secret to help Prince Arthur become a great king someday, knowing that if he is ever found out to be magical he would be put to death.

OH My God.   We must never talk this long again.   It took me 7 hours to edit this episode.   This episode covers only season 1-2 of Merlin.   There are no spoilers for season 3 and onward.   We might go back later and do another episode that covers season 3.   This series has some problems, but I think its a fun ride and worth the effort of tracking down if you’re a fantasy fan.   The first two episodes are a little rough, but the show continuously improves as it goes on.

Merlin Season One Trailer


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Dragon Age

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Dragon Age Origins Box ArtThis is a special episode where we review not a fantasy movie, but a fantasy game.  Dragon Age: Origins is a 2009 western role playing game from Bioware for the PC, Xbox 360, and ps3.  In this game you choose one of six different origins, choose between three classes, pick your gender, and create the look of your character.  The storyline isn’t anything too unusual.  You’re a special warrior that is called upon to save the land from darkness, but the game really shines in the writing.  The world is detailed and well realized.  Characters feel like real people.  Your choices mold how the story progresses and ends so you feel emersed in this world like few others.

We were intending to have this game only cover Dragon Age: Origins, but Dragon Age 2 (the sequel) had recently came out and bits of it kept slipping into the podcast.  We were both only in Act I of Dragon Age 2 when we recorded this so there aren’t any Dragon Age: 2 storyline spoilers.  However, we do speak at length about the game mechanics and how they compare to the previous game.  We also talk at length on video game rpgs in general.

And we complain.  A lot.

Dragon Age: Origins Game Trailer


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The NeverEnding Story

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By special request from Emmy Kay, this week we’re reviewing the 1984 fantasy film The Neverending Story.

The Neverending Story DVD CoverThe Neverending Story is about a young boy named Sabastian who steals finds a fantasy book called the Neverending Story.   The book majorily breaks the fourth wall and starts to talk to him as if its real.   Which means that you are listening to a podcast about a movie about a kid who doesn’t know he’s in a movie  who reads a book about another kid who doesn’t know he’s in a book.

But whose listening to YOU dear listener?

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN.

There’s no little intro skit this week, because Melanie is gone and not answering my emails. I think it’s safe to assume she’s joined a technophobic cult that believes in  becoming  one with  the land and venerating the radish.   I had heard her say many times “To eat radishes is to be close to god”.   Little did I know how far reaching her beliefs were.   She shall be missed.

The Neverending Story Movie Trailer


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