Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Book Review: Untaken by J. E. Ankcorn


Young adult novels continue to be a hot property as of late publishing-wise, with readers of YA novels pretty much driving the industry at present. Even so, straight, non-dystopian YA science fiction tends to be a little hard to come by. We've come a long way since the Heinlein juveniles and the Tripods series, yes, but when everything feels like it's either a retread of The Hunger Games or Twilight (and may the higher powers help us all if someone ever finds a way to combine those two things), adult readers of genre fiction and YA fiction may feel like they're out in the cold.

I was able to land an advance copy of J. E. Anckorn's debut novel Untaken, and it follows well in the old-school tradition of science fiction for the younger set. Instead of trying to push the envelope with over-the-top ideas and themes, the book is instead an enjoyable throwback of sorts to the alien invasion science fiction of another era while keeping things feeling fresh and new.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Book Review: Macaque Attack!


In what has become a sort of holiday tradition, we have a new book in Gareth Powell's Ack-Ack Macaque series this winter. I liked the first one and thought the second one was okay, but how about the third and final?

Star Wars Episode Seven: The Force Awakens! About that Ball Droid...

I made this comic to clear up your Star Wars BB8 (the ball droid) questions. Hopefully this is exactly how it will all play out next year in theatres!...

Click to embiggen!


FPcast! The Fruitless Pursuits Podcast for December 29th 2014! The Best of 2014!


This week we sum up the year in film by sharing our Top 20 lists for 2014, as well as our least favourite films, guilty pleasures and pop culture crushes. Plus we review The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies! Let's celebrate the year that was!

Download here! (Click to stream, right-click to save)

And be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes because we do this every week! And join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Thursday, December 25, 2014

StarWTF Episode 10: Ackmena (Plus our Life Day celebration)

It's our StarWTF!? Life Day Celebration! Today we look at one of the most INSANE Star Wars productions, the Star Wars Holiday Special... and specifically we are discussing Bea Arthur's badass bar tending character, Ackmena. She's the rough and tough nighttime bartender at the Cantina, who is wooed by a man which a volcano head... and did we mention that she sings to the customers? It's both wonderfully entertaining and completely unwatchable.



Download Episode 10 - Ackmena
Ackmena was the nightshift bartender in Chalmun's Cantina in Mos Eisley on Tatooine. She was a favorite amongst the patrons there, as she was more approachable than the daytime bartender, Wuher. 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The Book Was Better Podcast Episode 109: Theodore Rex Novelization Writing Challenge!

This is the big one! Our annual Novelization Writing Challenge, where instead of critiquing a crappy novelization, we take it upon ourselves to WRITE one! Our good friend Tim the Stats Man provides each guest/writer with a transcript of scenes from a terrible film - that we haven't seen - and we do our best to write them ourselves, putting together everything we've learned from doing this show!

This year's book is based on the wretched Whoopi Goldberg and an animatronic T-Rex buddy cop movie Theodore Rex! This year's challengers are: JessLukeLizzy UnpronounceableCourtney CoulsonSuzanne, and Xavier! This is our final show for the year and it is our biggest show ever!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

Or why not subscribe to us on iTunes and join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!


Monday, December 22, 2014

Review: The Imitation Game



I was lucky enough to get an advanced screening ticket to see The Imitation Game (staring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightly) and honestly, I don’t think I could rave about it more.
 The film follows a segment in the life of Alan Turing, the man who broke the Enigma code and shortened World War II by at least two years. Benedict Cumberbatch is actually fantastic as the arrogant but brilliant Turing, surrounded by an amazing supporting case and the story itself is compelling regardless of how little or how much you know.
For a little non-spoiler review, follow me under the cut.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

FPcast! The Fruitless Pursuits Podcast for December 22 2014! So This is Christmas!


This week we chat North Korea, review The Kingsman, Big Hero 6 and Saint Vincent, plus we talk about our favourite Christmas things, solve the Australian film industry and do poor imitations of Wortho! Happy Holidays everyone!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

And be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes because we do this every week! And join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

StarWTF!? Episode 9: Dejarik (a/k/a Holochess)

Today we look back at Dejarik, the game that you probably know as "Holochess". It's the chess-like game that Chewbacca and R2-D2 play in the Millennium Falcon. The Dejarik table is a Star Wars icon (even teased by JJ Abrams during episode 7 shooting), but is the game itself any good? And more importantly, if you were playing, would you let the Wookiee win?


Download Episode 9 - Dejarik
Dejarik was a popular holographic game that was played throughout the galaxy. When activated, the game would project holographic playing pieces that resembled dangerous-looking species from throughout the galaxy. The players can move their pieces to attack one another and said pieces will behave like living beings when in battle.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The Book Was Better Episode 108: Jack Frost (with guest host Jacinta!)

This week our festive coverage continues as we dive into the giant Christmas turkey that is the novelization of Jack Frost! No, not the horror movie where Shannon Elizabeth gets assaulted in the shower - we're talking about the Jack Frost where Michael Keaton dies in a car accident and comes back as a creepy snowman puppet! And joining me for these horrific mixed messages is the steel-nerved Jacinta! And rest assured we're going to get to the bottom (ball) of this!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

Or why not subscribe to us on iTunes and join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!


Monday, December 15, 2014

FPcast! The Fruitless Pursuits Podcast for December 15th 2014! I'm Birdman!


This week we talk about the freshly revealed new character names from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, plus we review the wonderful Birdman, Boyhood, and MORE!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

And be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes because we do this every week! And join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

StarWTF!? Episode 8: Lightwhip

With The Force Awakens trailer out, everyone is buzzing about the new cross-guard lightsaber, but we go way back to the Expanded Universe and talk about the Lightwhip! We discuss the worst possible "light" weapons, and speculate on what we'll see in the sequels. (Note: We recorded this BEFORE The Force Awakens trailer was released, so there's lots of speculation. Alex's was eerily accurate.)


Download Episode 8 - Lightwhip
Lightwhips generally functioned on the same principles and mechanics as lightsabers, emitting a coherent beam of energy that was used as a weapon. However, rather than the straight, meter long blades emitted by standard lightsabers, lightwhips featured long, flexible blades that often exceeded several meters in length.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

The Book Was Better Episode 107: Jingle All the Way (with guest host Sabrina!)

This week our holiday bonanza continues as we dare to read the festive fiasco that is the novelization of Schwarzengger goes shopping shocker Jingle All the Way! And caring about as much as I do as to whether or not Baby Anakin Skywalker gets some stupid toy is the always wonderful guest host Sabrina! Prepare to deck the halls with terrible impersonations! GET TO DA SHOPPAH!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

Or why not subscribe to us on iTunes and join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!


Monday, December 8, 2014

FPcast! The Fruitless Pursuits Podcast for December 8th! Exodus Gods and Yobs!


This week we're back after a brief hiatus, catching up with our thoughts on the Force Awakens trailer, Suicide Squad casting, the Terminator Genisys trailer and a whole lot more! Plus we review Ridley Scott's 3D bible epic Exodus: Gods and Kings, starring our own Joel Edgerton as a baby in drag!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

And be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes because we do this every week! And join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Scarjo A Go-Go Episode 19: Match Point, or, "The Net"


This week I watch Woody Allen's brilliant and multilayered Match Point for the very first time and Scarlett Johansson's iconic and alluring performance as a self-aware seductress gives us a whole slew of stuff to talk about! This is a film you shouldn't miss!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

Please SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes (and rate and/or review us!), plus you can like us on Facebook, and discuss this episode in our friendly Facebook group! If you enjoy it, spread the word!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

StarWTF!? Episode 7 - AT-AT (Plus the results of our AT-AT pronunciation poll!)

In this episode, we discuss the coolest looking vehicle in the Star Wars universe. And we get right down to business with the AT-AT vs. A Tee A Tee debate. How do YOU pronounce AT-AT? Then we discuss the practicality of the design. What is inside of this beast of a vehicle??



Download Episode 7 - AT-AT

Since we recorded the episode, we've caused quite a stir online asking people the important question on the pronunciation.

The Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar ADVENTure 2014 Begins!

OK, due to popular demand, I am going to also be covering the Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar, but I'm going to keep it on our Facebook page in an attempt to not clutter up the site, but also to do social media better! So if you want to hear all about Day 1 and Day 2 then please head RIGHT OVER HERE, like us, and keep on following!


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

The Dresden Readthrough: Skin Game


We conclude our readthrough of Jim Butcher's uber-popular urban fantasy series The Dresden Files today with book fifteen, Skin Game. We made it, guys! We did it! High five!

So we've reached the latest volume of the series, and I have to say that, after seeing how it was going in the last volume, I thought this was quite the step backwards.

The Book Was Better Episode 106: Batman Returns (with guest host Lia!)

This week we begin our Book Was Better holiday programming, when we return to Gotham City at Christmastime for the barely-contains-any-Batman novelization of Tim Burton's bizarrely troubling Batman Returns! And the other half of our dynamic duo this week is the always awesome guest host Lia! Bats! Cats! Penguins! And a monkey with a gun? It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save) 

Or why not subscribe to us on iTunes and join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!


Monday, December 1, 2014

The Fruitless Pursuits Christmas ADVENTure!

Long time supporters of the site will know that this is the time of year when we usually do our Christmas ADVENTure, opening up an advent calendar (or two) every day and spinning a ridiculous story. This year, however, we've made a few changes and it seems more appropriate to post it on our Facebook page rather than here, as FP has become more of a podcast hub.

So if you'd like to see surprises unveiled each day, and follow and ongoing story, be sure to check out our page (and like it if you haven't!). Normally I open up a Playmobil calendar and the Lego Star Wars calendar. Something went horribly wrong this time though and things will be a little different...

Go here to check out day number one!


Saturday, November 29, 2014

StarWTF!? Discusses The Force Awakens Trailer In Depth

The Force Awakens trailer is here! We've watched it a few dozen times and are ready to discuss it in a special edition of StarWTF!? This one is a little more speculation than education as we know as much as you do. We just may have watched it a few more times.



Download Special Episode: The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer

Note: We discuss a few character /casting rumors that are going around so there may be a few small spoilers in here.

Stick around until the end for Alex Strang's shot by shot trailer commentary. It's a doozy.




Thursday, November 27, 2014

Scarjo A Go-Go Episode 18: In Good Company, or "One Tongue"


This week we talk about Scarlett Johansson's FIFTH film for 2004, In Good Company, in which Dennis Quaid is an old skool magazine dude, who finds out that upstart Topher Grace is his new boss AND might be banging his daughter! Will it all end happily ever after, or is this two hours of absolute misery? You'll find out when you...

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

Please SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes (and rate and/or review us!), plus you can like us on Facebook, and discuss this episode in our friendly Facebook group! If you enjoy it, spread the word!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

StarWTF1? Episode 6: Blue Milk

We get to the bottom of the most famous drink in all of the Star Wars universe... blue milk! We figure out where it comes from and desperately try to figure out why.  



We also talk about how much of this Luke actually drinks and whether or not it has medicinal effects. It's all crazy, as you would expect.

Download Episode 6 - Blue Milk


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Device-mas: The Nexus 9


This week, at least in the States, ushers in the Christmas shopping season. While most readers here are going to be looking for the newest toys or figurines or such, I'm truly more of a gadget guy, and it turns out that I was in the market for two of the more high-profile device releases of the last few months before the Black Friday Era began. So for the next couple days, I wanted to talk about what I thought about the two new devices that might be on your lists or the lists of others.

The other device I went all-in on is the Nexus 9, Google's newest flagship tablet device. It has been marred by some shipping delays, alleged issues of quality and performance, and not justifying its current price tag.

So what's the story?

The Book Was Better Episode 105: Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked (with guest host Lizzy Unpronounceable)!

This week we skip straight to the third, and no doubt very best Alvin and the Chipmunks movie, when we read the riveting novelization of Chipwrecked! Which is a clever play on words! And joining me is our own adorable chipmunk Lizzy Unpronounceable! This is going to be great, right? Right!? Chipmunks!

Download here! (click to stream, right click to save)

Or why not subscribe to us on iTunes and join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!


Monday, November 24, 2014

Device-mas: Kindle Voyage


This week, at least in the States, ushers in the Christmas shopping season. While most readers here are going to be looking for the newest toys or figurines or such, I'm truly more of a gadget guy, and it turns out that I was in the market for two of the more high-profile device releases of the last few months before the Black Friday Era began. So for the next couple days, I wanted to talk about what I thought about the two new devices that might be on your lists or the lists of others.

The first device I jumped on a little early was the Kindle Voyage. The new flagship ereader from Amazon, it's a deluxe package with a lot of features, but does it justify its $200 price tag in the United States?

FPcast! The Fruitless Pursuit Podcast for November 24 2014! Be Thankful!


This week we review the brilliant Nightcrawler, the divisive Mockingjay Part 1, dissect some trailers, and give author Matthew Reilly crap for seeming to have rewritten Jurassic Park. Plus we celebrate Thanksgiving by eating some terrible American treats! Don't drink the Kool-Aid! 

Download here! (click to stream, or right-click to save)

And be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes because we do this every week! And join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Scarjo A Go-Go Episode 17: Spongebob Squarepants the Movie, or, "The Voice of Reason"


This week we dive into the deep as we study Scarlett Johansson's very first voice acting role in Spongebob Squarepants the Movie! Will she prove just as engaging when her bottom half is a fish? Or will it sin her career forever!? (Spoilers: It won't).

Download here! (Click to stream, right-click to save)

Please SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes (and rate and/or review us!), plus you can like us on Facebook, and discuss this episode in our friendly Facebook group! If you enjoy it, spread the word!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

StarWTF!? Episode 5: IG-88

In this episode, we discuss the ever-stable & always awesome bounty hunter IG-88. It's an assassin droid with seconds of screen time, but pages and pages of Expanded Universe backstory. And that story is intense.  



We also learn what "IG" stands for (it's not exciting at all) and how creative they were in naming all 4 IG's as well as IG-88's aptly named ship, the IG-2000. It's a longer episode than normal, but well worth the length.

Download Episode 5 - IG-88

And while we're at it, let's take a quick look at the many toy variations of IG-88. 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Book Was Better Episode 104: Zardoz (with guest host Violet!)

This week we journey back to the heady days of the late seventies when we read the novelization of the freakishly trippy Zardoz. The short version: hairy Sean Connery in a red mankini catching women in a net while his God - a giant floating stone head - vomits guns. I swear I'm not making any of this up! And to verify these wild claims is first time guest host and catch of the day: Violet! Convert to the cause by downloading now!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

Or why not subscribe to us on iTunes and join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!


Monday, November 17, 2014

FPcast! The Fruitless Pursuits Podcast for November 17th 2014! Wortho Potato!


This week we review  A Thousand Times Goodnight, Dracula Untold, Zombeavers, Merry Friggin' Christmas, discuss casting news, watch a whole lot of trailers, and poke our heads into the wonderful World of Warcraft! It's like calcium for your ears!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

And be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes because we do this every week! And join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Scarjo A Go-Go Episode 16: A Good Woman, or "The Treasured Possession"


This week Girls Go Oscar Wilde as we dissect Scarlett Johansson's performance in the filmic adaptation of Lady Windermere's Fan, better known as: A Good Woman! The good news: Scarlett is captivating, the bad news: It also stars Helen Hunt.

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

Please SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes (and rate and/or review us!), plus you can like us on Facebook, and discuss this episode in our friendly Facebook group! If you enjoy it, spread the word!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

StarWTF!? Episode 4: The Podrace

In this episode, we discuss everyone's favorite scene from everyone's favorite movie. It's the Boonta Eve Classic, otherwise known as the Podrace from Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. 



We learn all about the aliens. Did you know that some of them finished the race? We thought they all died! And how about Ben Quadinaros? What's his deal? There's quite a bit going on in this 4 hour long scene and it led to our longest episode yet, clocking in at a whopping 39 minutes.

Download Episode 4 - The Podrace

Doctor Who - Death in Heaven


So, the Doctor Who finale aye? So full of promise. The first part was so good, it gave me hope and I was actually excited for the rest of it, but unfortunately, this was the worst finale of the new run. I’m going to try to coherently explain why under the cut.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

The Book Was Better Episode 103: Maleficent (with guest host Sabrina!)

This week evil, flying, baby-tormenting terrorists get twisted into heroes as we read the novelization of Disney's Maleficent! Now with even more shoehorned backstory than the film! And joining me on this thorny adventure is long absent guest host Sabrina, who has been released from captivity to share her thoughts! We'll put a spell on you! Well... at least inside your ears!

You can download it right now from the official site!

Or why not subscribe to us on iTunes and join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Monday, November 10, 2014

FPcast! The Fruitless Pursuits Podcast for November 10 2014: The Force Awakens!


This week we discuss the new Star Wars title, Cumberbatch engagement, Jared Leto Joker, a trio of movie trailers, we review the National Theatre Live performance of Skylight, look at some books, play the Evolve alpha, World of Warcraft and more! We did all the stuff and the things and we want to tell you about them!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

And be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes because we do this every week! And join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Scarjo A Go-Go Episode 15: A Love Song for Bobby Long, or, "Accentuate the Positive"!


This week I tackle my least anticipated movie, the deep south John-Travolta-drinks-himself-to-death drama: A Love Song For Bobby Long! But although things may look grim for John, I'm happy to say that the budding Scarlett Johansson is back to fine form, despite duking it out with an obstinate accent! Listen as one of my most dreaded films becomes one of my favourite episodes yet!

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save).

Please SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes (and rate and/or review us!), plus you can like us on Facebook, and discuss this episode in our friendly Facebook group! If you enjoy it, spread the word!

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

StarWTF!? Episode 3: The Ice Cream Maker Guy

You know, the guy in The Empire Strikes Back that runs by with the ice cream maker in his hand? Of course you do! They made an action figure of him! 

Well if not, we recorded an entire episode of StarWTF!? about him. His name is Willrow Hood and he carries an ice cream maker.



Download Episode 3 - Ice Cream Maker Guy

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Doctor Who 8.11 - Dark Water


The first part of the Doctor Who series finale Dark Water was pretty great. I know you haven’t heard me say that this season, and believe me; it was refreshing to not be mad the entire time and to be actually enjoying the acting and the plot line.

Follow me under the cut for a closer look at Dark Water.

The Dresden Readthrough: Cold Days


We continue our readthrough of Jim Butcher's uber-popular urban fantasy series The Dresden Files today with book fourteen, Cold Days. The continuing plan has been to do a book a month on the first Tuesday of each month, and with the final released book scheduled for us for next month, we're at least set through the end of 2014.

As for Cold Days, it may have already supplanted the previous book as my new favorite in the series, even with its questionable ending.

The Book Was Better Podcast Episode 102: The Cabin in the Woods (with guest host Lauren!)

This week our Halloween coverage continues as we venture into the twisting, turning labyrinth of lies that is the novelization of The Cabin in the Woods. And joining me is American (and therefore Halloween expert) Lauren, who bravely helps me uncover the truth! And it turns out that zombies are the least of the protagonists' problems - is the monster of misogyny about to rear its terrible head?

You can download it right now from the official site!

Or why not subscribe to us on iTunes and join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!


Monday, November 3, 2014

FPcast! The Fruitless Pursuits Podcast for November 3rd 2014! Meet John Wick!



This week we dissect and discuss Marvel's announced movie plans for the next bazillion years. We review the absolutely beautiful new Studio Ghibli film The Tale of Princess Kaguya, and the slick Keanu Reeves revenge flick, John Wick! And, as promised, we eat a bizarre selection of American Halloween treats! Put what we put in our mouths in your ears!

Download here! (Click to stream, right-click to save)

And be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes because we do this every week! And join the discussion in our friendly Facebook group!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Two Books To Start Your November

If you're looking for some reads to start the month off, there are a few new/recent books out that have gotten some press. One of them is absolutely worth your time, but the other, well...

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Scarjo A Go-Go Episode 14: The Perfect Score, or, "The Crotch Conundrum!"


This week I dissect the not-so-high-scoring The Perfect Score, an MTV teen crime-comedy which unites Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans for the first time. But will it all be undone by a gratuitous crotch shot? There's only one way to find out...

Download here! (click to stream, right-click to save)

Please SUBSCRIBE to us on iTunes (and rate and/or review us!), plus you can like us on Facebook, and discuss this episode in our friendly Facebook group! If you enjoy it, spread the word!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Doctor Who Season 8 - Theories and Speculation



It’s time. Time for speculation to run rife and theories to spin out of control. Next week the Doctor Who series 8 finale begins in what I can only assume is a two part extravaganza and it looks like it might surprise us all and actually be good. Maybe. I’ve decided to share some of my Doctor Who finale theories which you all and would love to hear some speculation on where you think this season will end up.

Fear not, this is all based entirely on some casting rumours and on how the story has unfolded thus far. I’ve come up with this without looking elsewhere on-line so if there are similar theories, please pass them on.

Follow me under the cut for all the details!