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SHOWNOTES

00:00-Show Intro
08:06-Drunk Dials
19:02-Mailbag
30:44-Dead Rising 2: Case 0 Review (XBLA)
39:14-Arcade Hits Pack: Gunblade NY and LA Machine Guns Review (Wii)
49:43-Metrod: Other M Review (Wii)
1:04:30-Retro Review: Blasto (PS1)
1:12:18-Five Things
1:29:39-The Last Shot
1:31:30-Show Close

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DGR: 09.03.2010

The Minnesota State Fair is one of those annual events that I look forward to each year for many reasons. You’ve heard us talk about the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” before, so I’ll spare you all the reasons why I think it’s an event not to be missed. Instead, I’d like to talk about one of my favorite new events at the fair, Pinball on-a-Stick.

It’s no surprise to those of us who grew up in the arcades and behind the flippers of a million wooden cabinets, that things are not what they used to be. What once was a forest of local arcades sucking the quarters out of millions of teen-agers pockets has been slowly destroyed tree by tree. Even the amusement-park simulators that were all the rage in the late 90′s and early 2000 have gone the way of the dodo as once-thought stalwarts like GameWorks close their doors.

So it is that in every county or state fair I manage to attend, one of the first things I do is look for an arcade. Like an Indiana Jones with a nose for electronics, I hunt the fairgrounds for the familiar tent with the million power cables running to a giant junction box. It’s the surest sign of late 80′s coin op machines in the wild. Last year, my hunt bore some delicious fruit as the dreaded Butterfly Garden (which had threatened to kill the arcade space the past few years) gave a precious slice of it’s fairground real estate to not just an arcade, but a room dedicated to classic pinball games.

It’s called Pinball on-a-Stick and it’s the brainchild of Brian Millard, a resident of Farmington, MN. Brian is a collector of classic pinball machines and has filled a section of the arcade with a solid set of machines from his own personal collection. With the aid of friend Ryan Marincovich and a volunteer team of pinball collectors and enthusiasts from the area, a room right next to the Grandstand becomes one of the best spots for pinball for a week and a half.

From some of the classic machines such as Adam’s Family, Black Knight and Whirlwind to some of the best modern Stern machines, Pinball on-a-Stick really satisfies the old school pinball fan. Not only is the selection great but the machines are in top notch condition and play like a dream. Prices are reasonable at .50 a play and the spirit of the old school arcades is there in spades. Fairgoers young and old stop by and drop a few quarters into these classic machines. Each time I’ve walked into the room, there seems to be a machine or five in action. It’s a great time.

You can find more information on Pinball on-a-Stick over at their website, which can be found here: Pinball on-a-Stick.com.

More pictures after the break.
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Voicemail Line: 612-424-3835
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SHOWNOTES

00:00-Show Intro
02:49-Drunk Dials
11:59-Mailbag
26:00-R-Type Review (iPhone/iPad)
33:35-DoDonPachi Ressurection Review (iPhone/iPad)
43:05-Shank Review (XBLA)
48:47-Retro Review: Kid Niki the Radical Ninja (NES)
53:45-Feature Presentation: Creepy Contest
1:26:18-Five Things
1:37:28-The Last Shot
1:38:21-Show Close

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DGR: 08.29.2010

I know it’s strange to get worked up about a recipe for relish. I mean, of all the condiments we use on our hot dogs and burgers, relish is generally the least appreciated. But when visiting some friends a few years back, I put some of this relish on my hot dog and immediately had to know its story. Where did they get it? How was it made? What’s in it? Was it a family recipe? My friends looked at me strangely, probably mistaking my enthusiasm for sarcasm. But after some coaxing, I learned the the recipe had been passed down from their great-grandparents and each year they would get together as a family to make a giant batch of this amazing relish. After telling me the story, they gave me a jar and sent me on my way. But, of course, this shit doesn’t last forever. And after years of begging, I finally nabbed the recipe and got a walk-through of how to make it. And, because I’m a nice guy, I’m now going to share it with you.

You’re going to need some supplies for this project. You’ll need a food processor, a very large mixing bowl, a large pot, a spatula, around six jars and lids, and a large colander. This last item is key. Preferably, you’ll want to have the type of colander that sits on a stand, allowing juices to be drained into a bowl beneath. See the picture below for an example of what I’m talking about. If you don’t have – or can’t find – one of those, just try to rig something that allows you to drain the juices, perhaps by simply setting the colander on top of a large mixing bowl.

Now, before I list the recipe, keep in mind that this was passed down through generations. Therefore, the amounts are mostly approximations and you’ll have to use your best judgement.
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A quick programming note: The podcast for last week’s double feature, “Breathless” and “Jules & Jim” has been canceled, and upcoming episodes will be produced based on the feedback received in the discussions. The remaining weeks have been restructured slightly to encourage greater community participation. Remember, the film fest is about community wide-discussion, and everyone is encouraged and welcome to participate. We don’t bite, I promise!

The Summer Film Fest is back in its penultimate entry, wherein we discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s incredibly overlooked Punch-Drunk Love and Michel Gondry’s modern masterpiece Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I paired these two films because they examine two different aspects of the the same theme: How we deal with love.

Punch-Drunk Love is in many ways about the incredible redemptive power of human connection (as many of Anderson’s films are, particularly Magnolia.) Adam Sandler’s stellar, subdued performance as Barry Egan went overlooked by many who expected more traditional Sandler fare, despite the film’s warm critical reception (even making several “best of the decade” lists). Egan is driven by anxiety stemming from his upbringing with seven bombastic sisters. Anderson films the world as chaotic and unpredictable, save for the calming presence of the enigmatic Lena, played by Emily Watson. Punch-Drunk Love is a beautiful take on the traditional romantic comedy. Unlike traditional romantic comedies, it isn’t about two broken people who come together and fix each other, who correct each other’s imperfections. Rather, it is about two broken people learning to be broken together, savoring the imperfections, and finding a link to their own brand of normalcy in a wildly erratic and unpredictable world.

In contrast, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is about memory, and how the pains and heartbreaks we suffer through ultimately make us who we are. The powerful, esoteric duo of director Michel Gondry and writer Charlie Kaufman craft a beautiful, resonant film that follows Joel, (Jim Carrey who, much like Sandler, turns in an unexpectedly poignant performance from a traditionally comedic performer) a reserved loner who falls Clementine (Kate Winslet), a manic pixie dream girl if there ever was one. Their relationship begins in a similar manner to most films with MPDG’s (i.e. Garden State), but carries on past that, showing the bitter dissolution of their once magical time together as their wildly divergent personalities ultimately tear each other apart. As the film begins, Joel has signed up for an experimental treatment to wipe all of his memories of the relationship from his mind. However, as the procedure is underway, Joel realizes his mistake; His memories of the relationship, while painful, are a part of him, and he sets out to save his memories from being destroyed. Although wild and dreamlike in grand Gondry/Kaufman fashion, at the core Sunshine is a glaringly honest and affecting look at love, loss and the things that make us who we are.

Both of these films are available on Netflix Watch Instantly, and on a personal note, are two of my favorite entries in the festival this year. If you liked or disliked either of these films, join in the discussion in the comments below. If we get enough feedback, then we will release a podcast episode incorporating your feedback into the discussion. And remember, you don’t have to be a film snob to discuss: Anyone and everyone is welcome to join!

By now it’s no secret: I love scary movies.  And when I saw the Halloween decorations up at a nearby drug store I couldn’t help but get excited as my favorite time of year is quickly approaching.  Now John and I have some exciting things planned for the month of October, but we’ll let you know about them when the time is right.  In the meantime, I thought I might get my scare on and check out the latest demon-possession extravaganza The Last Exorcism.  So with a big old bucket of popcorn I sat in a very dark theater and dared this movie, “C’mon scare me bitch!”  Sadly, I’m not sure the movie heard me.  For as interesting as parts of this film are, in the end I was hardly scared. 

The film follows an Evangelical minister Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian).  Cotton has been preaching since he was 10 years old, and is much more of a showman than a real minister; he uses magic tricks in his sermons and often gets his parish to say amen to the most absurd things.  His father taught Cotton to perform exorcisms and he did his very first one when he was a young boy.  Cotton is making a documentary of his exorcisms to prove a point; not that exorcisms are real, but that they are in fact a hoax.  Cotton admits that nearly every one of his exorcisms was a fake and that he felt his services were more like that of a shrink than a real man of God.  But after reading about a young girl who died during an exorcism Reverend Marcus wants to expose the industry for what it is in order to save lives.  So Cotton takes his small crew with him on a trip to the backwoods of Louisiana, documenting his last exorcism.  Of course, strange things happen and Cotton must deal with his waning faith as he deals with what appears to be something very real. 

Directed by independent filmmaker Daniel Stamm, the movie was shot entirely on a handy cam and is presented as “found footage.”  By now we have all gotten used to the gimmick that is the handy cam movie.  Last year’s hit Paranormal Activity showed us how effective this style can be when you leave it alone and let the audience fill in the blanks.  Other film such as June 09 and The Blair Witch Project have fallen short of the mark as these films tend to reach for things and present the audience with ideas and notions that aren’t quite there.  This movie seems to suffer from this same fate as it struggles with being “found footage” and a Hollywood film. 
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mail Us: mailbag@drunkengamersradio.com
Voicemail Line: 612-424-3835
DGR Twitter Feed
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SHOWNOTES

00:00-Show Intro
04:39-Drunk Dials
14:56-Mailbag
32:06-Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Review (XBLA)
39:47-Ys 7 Review (PSP)
48:01-Retro Review: The Adventures of Bayou Billy (NES)
53:44-Five Things
1:01:15-The Last Shot
1:02:53-Show Close

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DGR: 08.20.2010

Sometimes it’s hard for me to suppress my headbanging roots. My friend Craig isn’t any help as every time a classic thrash band comes through town he inevitably buys two tickets, looks at me with his big brown eyes and says, “But dude…I don’t have anyone else to go with.” So there I am, rocking like it’s 1989.

The so-called “American Carnage Tour” (*sigh*) was supposed to come through town back in February, but was delayed due to Slayer’s Tom Araya having back surgery, giving me a stay of execution for around six months. But it wouldn’t be delayed forever – you can’t stop metal, you know – and Saturday night there I was, pushing my way down a smelly corridor, making my way to my seat in the balcony of the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul, about to settle in for nearly four hours of classic thrash. And yes, I said “seat”. I’m thirty-four years old, have two kids, and am about as interested in participating in a mosh pit as I am attending a Justin Bieber concert; which is to say not at all. (Fuck off Moe).

In all fairness to the genre and the bands involved, I do hold a soft spot in my heart for thrash metal, if only out of nostalgia. Plus, surviving a Slayer concert just seems like a “bucket list” activity, doesn’t it? I touched on the subject earlier in my Big Four of Thrash article, and after having experienced a taste of it in the safety of a movie theater, seeing it live was too much to resist.

As I took my seat in the dingy auditorium known mostly for boxing events and broken seats, the lights went down. I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and prepared myself…
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The Summer Film Festival makes it’s grand return with a French New Wave spectacular: Jean-Luc Godard’s classic Breathless and Francois Truffaut’s Jules & Jim. We’ll be doing something a little different for these last few episodes. We want to incorporate user feedback as much as possible. To do so, I’m posting the discussion thread now, and we will read your feedback on the show, which will be out early next week. So without further adieu, let’s discuss!

In the 1970s, Steven Spielberg made us all afraid to go into the water with his monster hit JAWS.  The movie was an amazing success and the American Film Institute ranks it as the #2 most thrilling movie in history, behind Psycho.  Its critical acclaim and box office success spawned several spin off movies and similar horror genres designed to both scare us and destroy the swimsuit industry.  Perhaps the most famous spinoff (aside from the JAWS sequels) was the Piranha series.  Directed by Joe Dante in 1978, Piranha centers around two idiots that accidentally release mutant killer fish into a stream near the Lost River Lake Resort.  Mayhem ensues and many people are eaten by the tiny little bastards.  Instead of the nail biting suspense found in JAWS, Piranha focused on providing the audience with a lot of laughs and some cheap gore.  And instead of a giant grey fin and scary music to alert the audience that bad stuff was going happen, Dante used an underwater camera to mimic what the fish were about to eat.  

There were some obvious thematic similarities between Piranha and JAWS, so many that Universal originally filed a law suit against New World for spoofing the film.  However, when Speilberg saw the comedy-horror flick he loved it so much that Universal decided to drop the suit.  Unknown Director James Cameron directed the Piranha sequel Piranha Part Two: The Spawning, which featured flying piranha.  The movie was dreadful, but it did give us one of the great directors of our time.  Later in the 90s Roger Corman would try to bring the nasty fish back in yet another movie, but by then the awful JAWS sequels had left moviegoers looking somewhere else for their scares.  Piranha was never a critical or box office hit, but it is considered by many to be a horror classic of that era.  

Fast forward to 2010, several decades since it was safe to swim again.  Director Alexander Aja (High Tension, and The Hills Have Eyes) brings his cast to Lake Victoria, Arizona where a pack of killer fish are waiting.  The story is simple enough: Lake Victoria is a hot spot for Spring Break and each yeah the population explodes as thousands head to the tiny little town to get drunk and show their boobies. Shortly before the festivities, a small earthquake opens up a crack beneath the lake unleashing swarms of nasty piranha.  Now these aren’t your normal garden-variety piranha, these are prehistoric killer fish who have laid dormant since the stone age. And man are they hungry. 

Sheriff Julie Foster (Elisabeth Shue) is off to patrol the Spring Break madness and tells her son Jake (Steven R McQueen…yeah, you read right: Steve McQueen) to watch his little brother and sister.  Jake has other plans, however, as he’s been asked to escort a Girls Gone Wild crew and their hot babes to the hot spots in the lake. (Oh yeah) The rest of the story you can guess right now: scientists show up to investigate, they discover the ancient piranha, and a lot of drunk spring breakers get eaten (or at least nibbled on a lot).

Okay, so Piranha 3D is not a movie for everyone and it certainly isn’t a movie for kids under the age of 13.  But if you are a horror fan like me, or a fan of the killer fish genre you will absolutely love this movie.  Let’s look at why.
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