Fingerbobs – A British Children’s Television Classic!

The 70′s. A time when my young mind was subjected to every sort of strange talking animal or household object that television producers could think up. I’ve shared the terrifying Animal Kwackers with you before, but not every show from back then evokes such horrifying memories.

Fingerbobs was great. At its core, it was trying to encourage children to take up simple craft projects. Sometimes it succeeded, as the joys of making things out of stones and toilet rolls had [...]

Arms Race – A new Steampunk short film – The Charge of the Heavy Brigade

This small wonder has been cooked up by my friends over at It’s a Trap productions, here in Norwich. The same fine folks who brought you “Jack Steel and the Starblade“, now with a touching Crimean tale of two plucky British soldiers, a Russian pilot, and Mrs Carruthers. If you like it, please share it with your friends (there’s a handy twitter button down below!) Small film-makers need all the help and encouragement they can get!

You can find [...]

On Self-Awareness

Sometimes, when the gaming news is uninteresting, I begin writing a post telling my fellow gaming bloggers to stop writing posts that tell other bloggers what or how to write. Within it I also protest how everyone else always generalises wildly. While doing that I make sure to throw some disparaging comments at “gamers”, even though both I and the readers fall into that category. Of course, I’m talking about those “other” gamers, not us.

Fortunately, my brain always shuts [...]

RIP, Corey Haim

Just heard on the BBC that Corey Haim has died, at the age of 38. While there are no details yet, it seems likely that his long-running battle with drug addiction might have played a part.

He was a major icon to any guy growing up in the 80s, and he’ll be missed. Here is what I consider to be his finest moment. The “Death by Stereo” scene from Lost Boys, a movie that I have watched an embarrassingly large [...]

Meet Theonilla, my Golden Compass Daemon

She’s a big cutie! I’m sure you’ve probably seen this meme already. If not, you can get your own Golden Compass Daemon from their website. It’s quite fun, and the website is extremely well done, and atmospheric.

As noted purveyor of violent movies, Chuck Norris says:

I normally don’t critique others’ movies, but this one not only warrants critiquing but condemning. The reason is it will very subtly push agnosticism, atheism, secularism and anti-Christian thoughts upon youthful minds [...]

The Daily Show Writers on the Writer’s Strike. With a little help from John Oliver.

Did I ever mention how great John Oliver is? I’m so glad that the presenters are showing solidarity with the cause. Jon Stewart is funding the writers out of his own pocket while the strike continues.

Sort it out, Viacom. Start giving writers their rightful share from the proceeds of new media.

Beowulf

What follows is my favourite (and public domain) version of the full text of Beowulf. A couple of friends of mine have been bitterly bemoaning having gone to see Beowulf over the weekend. This is for them. There’s no Angelina Jolie in this one, mind you, but in most other ways it’s a whole lot better in the original translation. Sorry, Mr Gaiman :(

BEOWULFTranslated by Gummere

BEOWULFPRELUDE OF THE FOUNDER OF THE DANISH HOUSE

LO, praise of the [...]