Cornish Sci-Fi Supplement

Episode 31 of the Podcast

2010-02-27T16:21:00Z

This time Danny and Prest chat about Lost, Survivors, Family Guy, Being Human, the news and more.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Episode 30 of the Podcast

2009-12-13T22:12:00Z

This time Danny and Prest chat about the latest Sci-Fi day in Plymouth, Hobbiton, the news and more.

Links: Prest's blog ontilmorning.blogspot.com
twitter: CornishPrest

The photos will be on here in a few days.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Back soon!!!

2009-11-30T19:49:00Z

Sorry for the long delay since our last podcast. Most of you will know why but just in case you don't I have been in New Zealand for the last few months. We will be back next week with a bit of luck with our thoughts on the Plymouth sci-fi day.

If you are in Plymouth or the area on Saturday the 5th of December head on down to the independent quarter (the square by the entrance to the walk way to Toys R Us and the Pavilion at the bottom of town) you can't miss it there will be people dressed up in all sorts of sci-fi get-up. The last events have been loads of fun so hopefully, weather permitting, this one will be to. Check out our photos section to get a taster of what to expect.

http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Plymouth/Final-Frontier/113823418301?ref=ts

Episode 29 of the Podcast

2009-09-18T15:29:00Z

This week Danny and Prest chat about District 9, Boston Legal, Knightrider, True Blood and the latest news.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Tim's interview woth Andy Looney

2009-09-03T20:26:00Z

An exclusive interview for the 'Casters Kitchen'!

Tim talks to Fluxx Card game creator Andy Looney about his various works and his orgins to gaming

1) What got you into gaming?

I've been into games since I was a little kid, so I guess I'd have to say
it was my mom, who figured out that her kids could be entertained by board
games. I also thought the games my other brothers were playing were cool,
and wanted to be able to join in.

2) What was the driving idea behind fluxx?

I wanted to do a game with dynamic winning conditions, and the idea of
being able to change the rules seemed to have a lot of appeal... I dunno,
it just kinda popped out! Actually though, it was my wife's request for a
card game that started it -- our first game publishing efforts were with
the pyramid-shaped gaming pieces called Icehouse, which were very difficult
(i.e. expensive) to produce, whereas a card game would be so much easier,
she said, so I invented one she could publish.

3) What made you choose Monty Python as a theme for fluxx?

Actually, we were approached about it, rather than choosing it ourselves. A
company called Toy Vault was already making MP licensed toys and games, and
they wanted to do a MP version of Fluxx, and asked us about it. As a fan, I
said I wanted to do it myself, so we worked with them on working out the
licensing deal.

4) What is ice house?

Icehouse is a gaming system that uses small colorful pyramids of 3 sizes.
It's also the first game for that system, but there are now so many games
(over 200) that the original is just kind of a footnote now. Nowadays they
are sold as a game called Treehouse, but if you get 5 Treehouse sets you
can play the original game and almost everything else! I like to compare
the set to a deck of playing cards, since they are similarly versatile.

5) Tell us about the EcoFluxx campaign.

EcoFluxx is our ecology-themed version of Fluxx, and we donate 5% of the
proceeds from it to various groups working to save the environment. Since
we're a bunch of tree-hugging hippies, we think the environment is pretty
important!

6) If you were only ever allowed to play one of your games for the rest of
your life, which would it be and why?

I'd have to say Icehouse, since I could play an almost infinite number of
other games with just that one set of pieces!

7) What is your new game 'Are you a traitor'?

It's what we call a deception party game. It's inspired by Mafia/Werewolf,
if you've ever played that, but it's got very different structure. Werewolf
has a number of flaws in my opinion, the worst of which is player
elimination, and I was seeking to improve on the original with my design.
Basically, it's a game about trying to figure out who is lying, and who is
telling the truth (and, if you are one of the liars, about avoiding getting
caught in your lies!) It's great fun!

Thanks for playing our games!

Plymouth sci-fi day

2009-08-05T16:39:00Z

Here are some photos from the latest sci-fi day in Plymouth. A great day had by all and we're looking forward to the next one. Roll on November.

	Danny is on the right	Danny
Danny (left) and George
Danny on the left	Sam
		Danny

	Jerremy Bullock and Danny (right)	Danny, Prest, George and Chaz
Chaz and Danny (right)

Episode 28 of the Podcast

2009-08-05T16:29:00Z

This time Danny and Prest chat about the latest news, Sci-fi day in Plymouth, True Blood, Torchwood, Pan's Labyrinth and more.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Episode 27 of the Podcast

2009-07-03T10:46:00Z

This time Danny and Prest talk about Transformers, Terminator 4, Krod Mandoon and more.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Sam takes a look at Batman: Reign of Fate, fan film

2009-06-17T20:57:00Z

Is it cold in here?...oh hang on a sec... no...no my mistake, that shiver would be the fan boy chill that has continued to run up my spine all day. Why do I have a chill? I hear you ask, well that would be due to the fact that last night I was privileged enough to get an exclusive showing of the finale for Jonathan Chiovitti’s fan saga Batman: Reign of Fate. If you have not seen the previous five episodes, then I urge you to do so right now at http://www.loosenoose.ca/.

Being a long term Batman fan, I am always sceptical when someone comes along with a film based on the Caped Crusader, whether that be professional or fan made (Joel Schumacher or Pitof anyone?), but straight from the first chapter, Chiovitti demonstrates that he has a knowledge and a passion for the world of Gotham far greater than that of the average film maker.

Ultimately Reign of Fate covers the detective side of Batman’s nature, taking him back to his roots. There are still very strong elements of the crime fighting Batman, but Chiovitti’s incarnation clearly demonstrates that the Guardian of Gotham has enough brain to match his brawn. The series contains homage throughout including references to the 1960s Batman, but it is the tone of the animated series that shines out clearest of all. In my opinion this is due to the excellent casting choices made, particularly with the characters of Batman (Shaughnessy Redden) and Commissioner Gordon (Ron Fountain) who share many of the vocal qualities of Kevin Conroy and Bob Hastings. For me, it was these qualities that made me believe this was an accurate portrayal of Gotham, simply because these are the voices I hear in my head whenever I open up a comic.

The film soon sets up a sort of “Who-dunnit?” as it drops breadcrumbs for Batman and the audience to follow. And although the mastermind of the plot remains anonymous until the very end, Chiovitti is more than willing to offer his acting talents as iconic Bat rogue, The Penguin. He brings a wonderful amalgamation of Burgess Meredith’s squawking squire and Danny Devito’s twisted, tortured animal rescue bird to the part, maintaining the perfect balance of charm and vulgarity.

The flip side to Cobblepot’s disfigured form would be the stunning Sarah (Mercedes Leggett) who at first is introduced merely as a love interest for Batman’s alter ego Bruce Wayne, but within minutes rids the viewer of any preconceptions. The cast of characters is topped off by councelman Hamilton Hill (Robert Ouellette) who is really the icing on the cake. Hill has always been one of those characters I’ve personally wanted to see be transformed from art into flesh for a very long time. What can be said of all Reign of Fate’s characters is that no book can be judged by it’s cover.

A few words must also be said about the Batsuit, which was not simply bought from some god forsaken fancy dress store, but created by David Pea specifically for the series. The suit is a very intricate one, and what’s great is that Chiovitti uses shadows in a very affective manner to reveal it’s details one segment at a time over the course of the story.

In conclusion, I have a lot of admiration for what Chiovitti has been able to achieve, turning in not only a great Batman story, but also one heck of a visual feast, that I cannot find much fault with. My only real criticism is that Warner Bros. is not taking much note of the fan film community. Chiovitti is proof that fans can make great motion pictures based on the character they love; and it is out of this love, this desperation to do the source material justice that gives them the upper hand on a lot of what Hollywood is churning out.

Episode 6 of Batman: Reign of Fate in now online@ http://www.loosenoose.ca/

Episode 26 of the Podcast

2009-05-28T14:42:00Z

This week Danny and Prest talk Red Dwarf, Star Trek, Fanboys, Plymouth Star Wars Day and Bristol Comic Expo.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Caster's Kitchen go all 2D

2009-03-30T13:14:00Z

The first episode os Caster's Kitchen vodcast. In this weeks vodcast we discuss House of the Dead: Overkill, Heroes volume 4 and Twilight (the novel)....

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Tim takes a look @ Monty Python Fluxx

2009-02-19T19:44:00Z

From Looney labs Designed by Andy Looney

Now Fluxx is a game of ever changing rules. A cult classic and a lot of modern CCG’s could take a leaf out of it’s book of how a set of simple rules can make a game fun.

Magic: The Gathering please take note.

But late 2008 gave us a new classic. Monty Python Fluxx.

The premise remains the same, but with a twist of the one of the best ever British Comedies to cross the pond.
It captures the essence of the series and the film ‘Holy Grail’ delightfully with such cards as ‘My brain hurts!’, the ‘Nude organist’ (with devilish grin) and unladen swallow (which counts as African or European).

The play works well and participation cards like ‘What is your quote’? which allows up to three cards to be drawn dependant how many lines of dialogue between at least 2 characters and ‘I just want to sing’! Which requires player to sing a few bars of songs and extra benefits if it a previous unsung song. Which prompted my memory to songs like ‘Christmas in heaven’ and Every sperm is sacred’ from ‘Meaning of life’.

This is game where fans of the show are in for a real treat, and non-fans can learn a few things from their Pythonesque peers J
Looney labs have done a excellent job with this and should be proud.

Within three games of this one of my friends the next day at work had said about buying it to play over the festive season with his family.

If that isn’t proof, I don’t know what is.

Episode 25 of the Podcast

2009-02-08T17:32:00Z

We're back. This week Dan and Prest take a look at the latest news, and chat about some of the stuff we have missed since being away.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Tim takes a look @‘Beedle the Bard’

2009-02-08T17:18:00Z

By J.K Rowling Published by Bloomsbury

So J.K wrote another Potter book? Well not quite…

Throughout the tales of young Harry one story teller was mentioned, his name: Beedle.

No, not the trader form Zelda: the windwaker.

He’s the bard of the world of Potter whom wrote the stories/Legends of the wizarding world.

This tome (the word book seems wrong) contains five stories. Each of which a child’s tale much like our ‘little red riding hood’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty’. (Even then they had far darker origins than we’d imagine).

If I was to put forward a bold statement, I would have to say that this set of tales is better than some of later Rowling offerings.

At the end of each story lies a commentary by the late, fictional (and gay) Albus Dumbledore. His personal insight into the origin of each tale is really compelling as for a moment you forget that it’s a fictional character you are dealing with. Her writing style rides through these books nicely J

Of the five stories I have 2 favourites; ‘The fountain of fair fortune’ A tale of four figures intending to win the prize to find out that they don’t need it after all. Also the famous ’Tale of three Brothers’ (as mentioned through books 6 and 7. The tale involves three brothers who beat Death and he rewards them accordingly, but only the youngest requests wisely. (See book 7 for more details of how this turns out in present day Potter).

This book is a worthy successor to the Potter books and should be on every fans shelf. From a photo of friend of mine in America I see they have a variant book style compared to our small pastel blue volume (and by the look it, similar to a lot of products when the first film came out). It also comes with a selection of Rowling own ink sketches to illustrate, and these are rather good, putting me in mind of (Almost Sir) Terry Pratchett pictures in ’The Carpet people’.

Also monies earned from books sales go to the ’Children’s high level group’ which is a darn good thing she’s doing. It’s nice to see the successful are donating to those who need it

Personally my money is still on J.K will crack and write a prequel…

Casters Kitchen 23: Random Encounters

2008-12-17T17:31:00Z

After a couple of technical mishaps the crew are back, packing Miss Stone. We discuss the foibles of Mr Barrowman, Charles Dickens and fast food in the future.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Episode 24 of the Podcast: Just the News

2008-12-13T18:14:00Z

This week Dan and Prest take a look at the latest news, the news Ghostbusters game trailer and a little bit at the Clone Wars.

Sorry it's been so long since the last show.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. We would love to hear from you.

Ghostbusters Video Game Trailer

2008-12-13T17:41:00Z

Check out the new trailer for the Ghostbusters video game. Looks really good.

The Chestnut Tree Cafe Cult Movie & TV Society

2008-12-13T17:37:00Z

If you live in Plymouth or the area you should check out the Chestnut Tree Cafe's cult movie and TV society.

In their words "We meet every Wednesday to show movies & TV episodes from various cult genres ranging from Sci Fi & horror to Spaghetti Westerns, gangsters, German Expressionism, comedy, old movies, general weirdness and themes based on specific directors or actors.

We give a short introduction with some background information on the theme for each week. We meet at 8pm every Wednesday at The Chestnut Tree Cafe,The Parade, Barbican. Plymouth."

Here's whats on this week:

Tim takes a look @ Phoenix Wright: Official Casebook Vol 1

2008-11-27T18:27:00Z

This is a big collection of short comics involving the players (heroes and villains alike) from the ‘Ace Attorney’ universe.

My first expectations when I heard this book was coming out was that it was a novelisation of the games or a ‘Akira’ sized epic.
I was surprised to find out it was a great value book of fan written and drawn stories.
For 99%, the stories are well written and highly enjoyable fluffyness. The art varies throughout in style, some of it just doesn’t look right (in my eyes, as old as they are 26).

But then like all characters who are given to a multitude of artists there will be differences. Detract from that and you have a really well done book with a sequel not too far away.

The fans know what they are doing, they taken the players and made them their own. Now if I could get hold of PW 3 I know who Godot is…

Overall: An excellent value Manga with great gift potential for fans of the series. Also anything with lots of adorable Maya artwork is good in my book

Episode 23 of the Podcast: Just the News

2008-11-19T16:22:00Z

This week Danny and Prest take a look at the latest news, Dead Set and the second Narnia film.

Don't forget to check out our subsidairy show Casters' Kitchen, online Sunday or Mondays and our main show ever other Thursday.

Please email us or leave a comment about this episode or anything in general at contact@cornishscifisupplement.com. we would love to hear from you.