Battleground (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
It’s not fun and games when army men come to life to avenge the murder of their maker! This war of toy versus man is the plot of “Battleground”, Stephen King’s short story from the Night Shift collection. Now join Arnie as he reviews this story, as well as it’s television and Russian animated adaptations!Watch the animated Russian adaptation now on YouTube!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 422: To Buy, Or Not To Buy? That is the Question.
To buy, or not to buy–that is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to sufferThe slings and arrows of outrageous interestOr to leave empty a spot in the collectionand risk the price on the secondary market.
Yes, Sideshow Collectibles has put up for pre-order its newest life-sized Star Wars figure — The Han Solo in Carbonite. And it has Arnie waxing philosophical about collecting, and how much is too much to spend on one item. On this episode of the Star Wars Action News podcast he and Marjorie review all the information released about this new high-end item. Join them for this discussion!
Also on this week’s show, Hasbro’s new 6-inch Star Wars line has reinvigorated action figure collectors, but with a new scale come old problems–like figure balance. NECA makes a line of figure stands for 6 to 8-inch figures, but do they work for the Black Series? Watch to see how this round peg fits in that foot hole!
Also in this episode are reviews of the Hasbro’s Mission Series figures Wave 2, including Han Solo, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Maul, R2-D2, and C-3PO!
With a Savage new Premium Format figure, a report from Wizard World St. Louis, an interview with Star Wars sketch card artist Chris Hamer, and so much more, it’s all in this episode of Star Wars Action News!
Source: Star Wars Action News
Sometimes They Come Back (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
In the 1950s some teenagers killed Jim Norman’s older brother. Now, sixteen years later, Jim is an adult teaching English at a new school. When some of Jim’s good students start dying they are replaced by the ghosts of the murderous boys. “Sometimes They Come Back”, and they want Jim to join them in the grave. It’s a story full of Stephen King connections, from The Shining to It to “The Body. Listen to Arnie as he reviews this short story from the Night Shift collection! Then head to NowPlayingPodcast.com to hear Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob review the movie versions of this story!
Source: Books and Nachos
Issue 114: Captain America — [BLEEP] Yeah!
Did you see Captain America: The Winter Soldier last weekend? Along with Cap, Black Widow, and Nick Fury, new screen hero The Falcon spread his wings and showed he has the right stuff to be an Avenger! But Marvel toy collectors who want their favorite flying Falcon in figure form won’t find him in 6-inches, Hasbro has only made that figure in the smaller 3.75-inch Captain America movie line. On this week’s show Marjore, Arnie, and special guest host Jerry look at the first two waves of Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie figures. From Cap to Falcon, Winter Soldier, and Red Skull, are these kids toys or great collector items? Listen to find out!Plus we’re barely off Captain America when the hype hits hard for the next Marvel superhero hitting the big screen: The Amazing Spider-Man 2! On this show the hosts also review that movie’s 3.75-inch figure line with a light-up Electro and a tangled web of Spider-Man costumes.With a look at Hot Toys’ newest pre-orders, Sideshow’s Hulking entries in the Premium Format Figure line, and the one-of-a-kind Phoenix Five Cyclops Marvel Legends figure that sold for over $1,000 on eBay, we run down all the latest Marvel toy news on this issue of Marvelicious Toys!Note: This podcast is 100% spoiler free. There are no Captain America: The Winter Soldier spoilers, so feel free to listen! If you have seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier hear Arnie’s full review at nowplayingpodcast.com
Source: Marvelicious Toys
Issue 114: Captain America — [BLEEP] Yeah!
Did you see Captain America: The Winter Soldier last weekend? Along with Cap, Black Widow, and Nick Fury, new screen hero The Falcon spread his wings and showed he has the right stuff to be an Avenger! But Marvel toy collectors who want their favorite flying Falcon in figure form won’t find him in 6-inches, Hasbro has only made that figure in the smaller 3.75-inch Captain America movie line. On this week’s show Marjore, Arnie, and special guest host Jerry look at the first two waves of Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie figures. From Cap to Falcon, Winter Soldier, and Red Skull, are these kids toys or great collector items? Listen to find out!Plus we’re barely off Captain America when the hype hits hard for the next Marvel superhero hitting the big screen: The Amazing Spider-Man 2! On this show the hosts also review that movie’s 3.75-inch figure line with a light-up Electro and a tangled web of Spider-Man costumes.With a look at Hot Toys’ newest pre-orders, Sideshow’s Hulking entries in the Premium Format Figure line, and the one-of-a-kind Phoenix Five Cyclops Marvel Legends figure that sold for over $1,000 on eBay, we run down all the latest Marvel toy news on this issue of Marvelicious Toys!Note: This podcast is 100% spoiler free. There are no Captain America: The Winter Soldier spoilers, so feel free to listen! If you have seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier hear Arnie’s full review at nowplayingpodcast.com
Source: Marvelicious Toys
Gray Matter (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
There are some who think no beer is a bad beer, but they haven’t read Stephen King’s short story “Gray Matter.” From the Night Shift collection this tale tells of a man who’s bacteria-laden brewski changes him from a a repulsive human being into a repulsive, slime monster. The premise may be crazy, but is the story fun? Arnie lets you know as he continues reading and reviewing all of Stephen King’s fiction!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 421: Is 6-Inches Short for a Stormtrooper?
From coast to coast the third wave of Hasbro’s 6-inch Star Wars Black Series has started to appear in stores. This wave has three new figures, a Stormtrooper, Bespin Luke Skywalker, and Episode III Obi-Wan, plus a carry-forward Han Solo. With this wave we finally have more than 10 Star Wars icons in this new scale. Is now the perfect time to jump into the line? Listen to this episode of Star Wars Action News for Marjorie and Arnie’s reviews of all four of these figures!
With more Rancho Obi-Wan extra auctions, a Millennium Falcon model that may not look like much until you assemble all 100 pieces, and a look at the latest Episode VII news, it’s all in this issue of the Star Wars Action News podcast!
Source: Star Wars Action News
I Am the Doorway (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
An astronaut returned from Venus believes he has been inhabited by homicidal aliens. These aliens have sprouted eyes on the man’s hands, and forced him to kill a local boy. Is the man insane, or is he the doorway for an alien invasion? Find out in “I Am the Doorway”, a short story King originally published in 1971 that was collected and reprinted in the Night Shift anthology. Join Arnie now as he reads and reviews this story, continuing his look at all the Night Shift works!
Source: Books and Nachos
Issue 113: Don't You Know That You're Toxin
Boomerang. Spider-Girl. Toxin. The three figures together make up the new offerings from Hasbro’s second wave of Amazing Spider-Man 2 Marvel Legends, and they are hitting pegs now in force! On this Marvelicious Toys episode your hosts Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie provide in-depth reviews of each of these new swap-out figures and compare them to their previous versions!Also on this episode Marjorie and Arnie recount last weekend’s Planet Comicon in Kansas City. With Marvel guests like Skottie Young and Dave Johnson, as well as tons of vendors, listen to find out about the going rates for figures, as well as some unique and rare finds!With a look at Hot Toys’ new Captain America Movie Masterpiece Series figures, excitement over The Avengers 2–Age of Ultron, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and so much more, it’s all in this episode of Marvelicious Toys!
Source: Marvelicious Toys
Issue 113: Don't You Know That You're Toxin
Boomerang. Spider-Girl. Toxin. The three figures together make up the new offerings from Hasbro’s second wave of Amazing Spider-Man 2 Marvel Legends, and they are hitting pegs now in force! On this Marvelicious Toys episode your hosts Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie provide in-depth reviews of each of these new swap-out figures and compare them to their previous versions!Also on this episode Marjorie and Arnie recount last weekend’s Planet Comicon in Kansas City. With Marvel guests like Skottie Young and Dave Johnson, as well as tons of vendors, listen to find out about the going rates for figures, as well as some unique and rare finds!With a look at Hot Toys’ new Captain America Movie Masterpiece Series figures, excitement over The Avengers 2–Age of Ultron, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and so much more, it’s all in this episode of Marvelicious Toys!
Source: Marvelicious Toys
Night Surf (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
A superflu nicknamed “Captain Tripps” kills most of the people on Earth. This story tells the tale of a small group of survivors. No, this is not Stephen King’s The Stand, but rather “Night Surf”, a short story King first wrote a decade before that seminal novel. Listen now to find out how the two stories connect, what other Stephen King connections are found, and if “Night Surf” is a story worth reading as Arnie continues his reviews of all the tales from King’s Night Shift anthology.
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 420: Cheers to Planet Comicon!
Planet Comicon was held in Kansas City this past weekend, and Marjorie and Arnie were there and on the hunt for toys and autographs! This show saw a rare signing by John Ratzenberger who is mostly known for being a Pixar and Cheers star, but Star Wars fans know he was also Major Bren Derlin on Hoth. With the con having its first three-day convention, listen to find out what you missed and if you should make it a destination in 2015!
Also in this week’s show, a lot of new Star Wars toys and collectibles have been announced recently. From Potato Heads to replica skate boards to LEGO and more, find out about it all in this week’s podcast!
With a report from last week’s Toy Man Toy Show, a visit to Duncan Jenkins’ Sithsonian, and a close-up look at the breakdown of vintage plastic, it’s all in episode 420 of the Star Wars Action News podcast!
Source: Star Wars Action News
The Mangler (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Have you ever worked on your computer, your lawnmower, or your car and felt that the damned machine is out to get you? That perhaps a demonic spirit has taken hold of the device, giving it an evil intent? Put that feeling towards a 30-foot industrial laundry press and the result is “The Mangler”, Stephen King’s short story about such a machine that “tasted blood and found it liked it.” In this Books & Nachos podcast Arnie reviews this short story from King’s Night Shift collection. Then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of “The Mangler” movie adaptation at NowPlayingPodcast.com!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 419: Locked Down with Joe Schreiber
Few first time Star Wars novelists get the promotional push that Joe Schreiber received in 2009 for Deathtroopers. The first unabashed horror story set in the Star Wars universe the combination of zombies and the galaxy far, far away inspired cosplay even before the book hit shelves. While somewhat controversial for its more R rated gore and violence, the book became a fan favorite and just one year later the sequel Red Harvest was released.
Now after a four year absence from Star Wars fiction Schreiber is back in bookstores with the new novel Darth Maul: Lockdown. This prequel era tale follows the Sith apprentice on a mission for his master before the events of The Phantom Menace. Lockdown is a departure from the author’s previous horror stories but the hard action and flare for visuals remain–as does the promotion. From the graphics flaunting Darth Maul fighting a Yuuzhan Vong to the news that this new story ties in closely with James Luceno’s 2012 book Darth Plagueis fan expectations couldn’t be higher.
In this bonus episode of Star Wars Action News Arnie talks with the author about what he’s been working on since 2010, what stories influenced this prison story, and what continuity landmines he had to avoid when setting a story in this era. Listen to get all the behind-the-scenes details of this new book.
With Johnathan back hitting the bricks for a special LEGO focused “On the Pegs” segment, this is one podcast you won’t want to miss!
Source: Star Wars Action News
Graveyard Shift (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Hall is a drifter who has taken a night job at the Gates Falls mill for the summer. It seems like an easy gig, but with the numerous rats and the annoying foreman it may push Hall too far. Monsters, both human and not, await in Stephen King’s 1970 short story “Graveyard Shift”, collected in King’s Night Shift anthology. Arnie reviews the original short story on this episode of Books & Nachos. Then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of the “Graveyard Shift” movie adaptation at NowPlayingPodcast.com!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 418: Star Wars – Disney Style!
With Lucasfilm, and all things Star Wars, now owned by The Walt Disney Corporation it should be no surprise that Disney is the place to look for Star Wars collectibles! The 2014 Star Wars Weekends have been announced and there are tons of new exclusives, including Vinylmations Series 4, a lanyard replicating the Medal of Yavin, and much more! Marjorie and Arnie run down the cool new items available only at the Disney World theme park this summer!
For Hasbro figure collectors Disney is the place to be as well–the Disney Store in your local mall. The newest Black Series Star Wars figures have been spotted at this retail chain, along with new Star Wars shirts and other merchandise.
With a review of James S.A. Corey’s new Star Wars novel Honor Among Thieves, a look back at Star Wars musical soundtracks on CD, and a look at the new auctions straight from Steve Sansweet’s Rancho Obi-Wan, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News!
Source: Star Wars Action News
Quitters Inc. (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Dick Morrison has to quit smoking. He may not want to quit smoking, but after signing up for the cessation program run by a group of mobsters under the name Quitters, Inc. Dick knows that another cigarette means physical torture for his wife and son. Adapted to film as a memorable part of the Cat’s Eye anthology, Arnie reviews the original short story on this episode of Books & Nachos. Then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of Cat’s Eye anthology film, at NowPlayingPodcast.com!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 417: Toy Fair 2014 – LEGO and more from Javits!
Star Wars fans have a reason to be excited after last week’s New York Toy Fair International. Watch this week’s podcast to see all the new toys and collectibles! From LEGO to Uncle Milton, Kotobukiya, Underground Toys, and so many more, they’re all in this week’s continuing Toy Fair coverage!
Note: Star Wars Action News’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
Source: Star Wars Action News
The Ledge (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Would you rather go to jail and never again see the woman you love, or walk along a 42nd story ledge that is only five inches wide? That is the choice tennis pro Stan Norris must make in “The Ledge.” This Stephen King short story was first published in 1973 and collected in 1978’s Night Shift. Join Arnie on this Books & Nachos analysis of the short, then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of the film adaptation, part of the Cat’s Eye anthology film, at NowPlayingPodcast.com!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 416: Toy Fair 2014 – Hasbro's Reveals
The next Star Wars film may be over a year away, but the new Star Wars figures are on the horizon! From Black Series figures, in both the 6 and 4-inch scales, plus figures tying into Disney’s new REBELS animated series, all was revealed at Hasbro’s Toy Fair International presentation! Join Marjorie and Arnie in this episode of Star Wars Action News to find out what Hasbro revealed for its 2014 product line!
Note: Star Wars Action News’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
Source: Star Wars Action News
The Boogeyman (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
A man goes to a psychiatrist claiming he killed all three of his children, but not through direct action but rather inaction–failure to stop The Boogeyman. Is the man insane, or is there a monster waiting for him in the closet? This Stephen King short story was first published in 1973 and collected in 1978’s Night Shift. Join Arnie on this Books & Nachos analysis of the short, then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of the “Dollar Baby” film adaptation at NowPlayingPodcast.com
Source: Books and Nachos
The Woman in the Room (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
A woman lays in her hospital bed, dying of cancer. Her son, John, sits next to her, a bottle of painkillers in his pocket, thinking of ending her suffering forever. “The Woman in the Room” is a very different type of story than Stephen King’s fans would have come to expect when first printed in the 1978 short story collection Night Shift, and it is the tale Arnie is reviewing on this episode of Books & Nachos. Listen to find out if this change of pace is a welcome one, then join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at NowPlayingPodcast.com as they review Frank Darabont’s “Dollar Baby” film adaptation of the story.
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 415: Troops and Roses
Star Wars Valentines–they’re not just for the playground anymore! For decades there have been packages of Star Wars Valentines Day cards, the type that school children give in the classroom, but as Star Wars fans have grown up so have the gifts you can give to your loved one. From light-up heart-shaped boxes of candy to stuffed Stormtroopers with edible hearts, fans of the original trilogy, the prequels, and even the comics will find items that will make them be yours! On this week’s Star Wars Action News, Marjorie and Arnie run down this year’s cool, new offerings, and say which are great gifts, which should be collected, and what can be skipped.
Also on this week’s show, Brock returns with his review of Maul – Lockdown, the newest Star Wars novel from Deathtroopers author Joe Schreiber. This pre-Episode I story focuses on the Sith Apprentice infiltrating a prison to find a secret crime lord. Is this a book worthy of Maul’s fighting skill? Listen to find out!
With The Gingerprince reviewing the Amazon Exclusive Droid Factory wave of figures, Arnie and Marjorie on a vintage figure hunt at the Toy Man Toy Show, and more, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News video podcast!
Note: Star Wars Action News’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
Source: Star Wars Action News
Rage by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman)
Author Stephen King, feeling stifled by Doubleday’s mandate that he not publish more than one novel per year, made an agreement where he could publish novels under a pseudonym–Richard Bachman. In 1977 the first book under that assumed name was released — Rage. Started by King while still in high school, this tale of a teenage gunman taking his class hostage has inspired at least four real-life shooting situations and has been pulled from print. Now Arnie continues his look back at all of King’s works with a review of Rage, discussing its impact on real world violence, analyzing King’s decision to take on an assumed name, and asking if this book deserves to be kept in King’s bibliography.
Source: Books and Nachos
Frank Miller's Robocop
Spoiler Alert! This podcast discusses many key elements of Frank Miller’s Robocop comic series.
Despite being a credited writer on Robocop 2 Frank Miller was unhappy with the final product, feeling the film failed to capture his vision. With Robocop 2 being a critical disappointment Miller’s original script became a thing of legend. Finally in 2003 Miller gave fans an insight into what could have been with Frank Miller’s Robocop–a comic book series based on his original ideas for Robocop 2. How does it compare to the theatrical release, and was Miller’s original idea better? Join Arnie and Jakob in this episode of Books & Nachos to find out, then join them at NowPlayingPodcast.com to hear their reviews of all the Robocop films!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 414: At Last We Have the Mighty Chewbacca
Note: Star Wars Action News’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post. Sideshow Collectibles has gone deep in Star Wars lore with their premium format figures. After starting with big characters like Luke, Han, and Vader, they have gone EU with Darth Malgus and Shaak Ti from The Force Unleashed. They’ve done Clone Wars with Captain Rex. But they never made a Chewbacca…until now, and Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie have the exclusive version in their podcasting studio. Is it worth getting? Listen to the full review in this episode!
Also in this show Marjorie and Arnie review Hasbro’s Star Wars Black Series Wave 3. With a mix of characters from the original trilogy, the prequels, the Clone Wars cartoon, and the EU, listen to find out which figures stand out–and which won’t stand at all!
With a final look at the 2013 Sithmas Gift Exchange and a sticky, dripping tongue, it’s all in this brand new video podcast of Star Wars Action News!
Source: Star Wars Action News
The Wolf of Wall Street and Catching the Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort
Jordan Belfort made headlines in the 1990s, first for his unusual start-up stock trading firm, then for his illegal stock manipulation practices. But that media attention is nothing compared to the spotlight being shone on this white-collar criminal with the release of Martin Scorsese’s film The Wolf of Wall Street. Now Stuart in LA has read Belfort’s two autobiographies, The Wolf of Wall Street and Catching the Wolf of Wall Street to read the story in the salesman’s own words. Hear Stuart’s thoughts on the book in this podcast!
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their review of the movie adaptation of The Wolf of Wall Street!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 412: 2013 Year In Review Part 1 – Hasbro
Since Kenner resumed making Star Wars figures in 1995 collectors have had a steady stream of items to buy, but in 2013 Hasbro changed up the game and collecting may never be the same. First there is a line of 3.75-inch figures with articulation levels reminiscent of the 1970s. Then Star Wars figure collectors had to think big–6-inches big–as collector-focused figures got a new scale for the first time in 35 years. How did fans react to these changes, and what is in store for 2014? These are the topics in the first part of the Star Wars Action News 2013 in review podcasts, so take a listen and hear what the Star Wars Action News team had to say!
Source: Star Wars Action News
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Dan Torrance was just five years old when he survived the ghostly attacks of his drunken father at The Overlook Hotel. But for 36 years fans have wondered what happened to Dan, a powerful psychic, after The Shining ended. Now Stephen King answers that question with Doctor Sleep, a book that tells of Dan as a 40 year old recovered alcoholic. When a group of psychic vampires go after a young girl with mental powers Dan has to once again stand up to the powers of darkness.Could any novel live up to readers’ memories of The Shining? And if so, does Doctor Sleep deliver those same thrills and drama? Join Arnie as he reviews King’s latest novel to find out!And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at http://nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of both the theatrical and TV adaptations of The Shining!
Source: Books and Nachos
The Shining by Stephen King
Do you know Stephen King’s The Shining? You may think you do–iconography from King’s third book litters American pop culture. The Overlook Hotel. Redrum. Jack Torrance, who’s always been the caretaker of the hotel. It was King’s first bestselling hardcover novel and famously adapted by Stanley Kubrick to film–but if you only know The Shining from the movie you are missing out! King’s book is a study of paternal relationships, alcoholism, and the nature of fatherhood. Plus there’s also ghosts, murderers, and a little psychic boy.
Now, continuing his Stephen King review series Arnie is back with his spoiler-free analysis of King’s story of a haunted hotel. Also in this podcast Arnie reviews “Before the Play”–The Shining’s rare, uncollected prologue, cut from the final novel.
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of both the movie and TV adaptations of The Shining!
Source: Books and Nachos
Jersulam's Lot (from the Night Shift Collection) by Stephen King
Stephen King’s “Jerusalem’s Lot” tells the story of Charles Boone and his servant Calvin. In 1850 the two men move to Preacher’s Corners, Maine where they stay at a large house left to Charles by his estranged cousin. The townspeople feel the two men must be mad to stay in the haunted mansion, and crazier still to set foot in the nearby ghost town of Jerusalem’s Lot. What the two men discover will reveal secrets from Boone’s family history as well as the evil that consumed ‘Salem’s Lot.
This short story, first published as the lead tale in Stephen King’s Night Shift collection, was sold as an earlier tale from the town of Jerusalem’s Lot–the location of King’s ‘Salem’s Lot. The story is now appended to paperback and eBook versions of that bestselling vampire novel. How does it tie into the longer book, and is it required reading for King fans? Listen to Arnie’s review to find out in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three ‘Salem’s Lot TV and movie adaptations!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 410: Black Friday Deals and 2013 Holiday Gift Guide
Black Friday isn’t what it used to be…it’s not even Friday any more! With sales having started Thanksgiving Day and some stretching through the weekend and even to “Cyber Monday” bargain shoppers now have almost a full week of savings. Stay on target for Star Wars bargains with this episode of Star Wars Action News! Marjorie and Arnie run down the stores with Star Wars items on sale to let you know which bargains are worth fighting the crowds, and which you can sleep through!
Also on this episode is the annual Star Wars Action News holiday gift guide! With gift ideas for men, women, and children, and in all price ranges, listen to find what to get the Star Wars collector who seems to already have everything! The entire Star Wars Action News team has contributed ideas. From books to lightsabers, toys to statues, jewelry to original art, it’s all here in today’s podcast! Plus listen to win a set of Star Wars Radio Drama CD-sets from Star Wars Action news and Highbridge Audio!
And don’t forget to sign up for the Star Wars Action Sithmas Gift Exchange! Sign-ups end December 2nd. Get and give some Star Wars joy this season by joining this Secret Santa gift exchange! All the details are at http://www.swactionnews.com/Sithmas/
Source: Star Wars Action News
One For the Road (from the Night Shift Collection) by Stephen King
Some questions lingered when Stephen King’s ‘Salem’s Lot ended. Were all the vampires killed? Due to the success of the novel, and to help publicize the paperback edition of the book, the author returned to the Maine town of Jerusalem’s Lot for his short story “One For the Road.” Taking place several years after vampires first settled in Maine, King tells the story of three men who must venture into the ghost town to rescue a stranded woman and child.
The story was first published in Maine Magazine, then reprinted in Stephen King’s first short story collection Night Shift, and is now appended to paperback and eBook versions of ‘Salem’s Lot. What happened in the story and is it worth the quick read? Listen to Arnie’s review to find out in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three ‘Salem’s Lot TV and movie adaptations!
Source: Books and Nachos
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
“What would happen if Dracula came to America today?” With that conversational inquiry Stephen King was inspired to write the novel ‘Salem’s Lot. King’s second published book, ‘Salem’s Lot was a bestseller, cementing King’s reputation among horror fans. The books’ success then translated to a television mini-series directed by Tobe Hooper.
‘Salem’s Lot is almost 40 years old but thanks to Twilight vampire fiction is more popular than ever. With all that has come in between, does King’s vampire story still have bite or does it just suck? Listen to Arnie’s review to find out as he analyzes the themes of King’s book and investigates how this plot resembles some of King’s other fiction. Even included in this show is analysis of the cut passages from ‘Salem’s Lot, published in the book’s 30th Anniversary Edition, as well as the 1995 BBC Radio Drama adaptation. All in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three ‘Salem’s Lot TV and movie adaptations!
Download the ‘Salem’s Lot BBC Radio Drama from Tales of Horror Podcast
Source: Books and Nachos
Murder and Other Distractions by Michael Estrin
Ethan’s life is a bit of a mess. He spends his time in a toxic, casual relationship, smoking weed and coasting through his job, all the while pining for The Girl Who Got Away. But when that girl is murdered, Ethan is the top suspect. Part murder mystery, part comedy, Murder and Other Distractions is a short novel by Michael Estrin. Listen to Steve’s review to find out if this is a Distraction worth your time!
Source: Books and Nachos
Dracula by Bram Stoker
For over 100 years we have lived among the vampires. Werewolves, ghosts, and serial killers have all popped up, but the vampire has been the monster to beat. From hit books like the Twilight series and Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles to movies like Underworld and Fright Night to comics like 30 Days of Night and Blade to television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and True Blood, the creatures of the night are among us. But it all started with one vampire and the imagination of Bram Stoker. Now, as Arnie prepares to read Stephen King’s book Salem’s Lot, he goes back to the source to review Dracula–the original vampire tale. Join him on this Halloween to find out if this is a book with bite, or if it just sucks!
Source: Books and Nachos
Psycho House by Robert Bloch
The same year that Psycho IV premiered on Showtime, original Psycho author Robert Bloch also returned to the Bates Motel with his third and final book in that series — Psycho House! With the Bates Motel turned into a tourist attraction it seems Norman’s crimes have been commercialized…until another girl is murdered. With Norman out of the picture, who is the killer now? Listen as Stuart takes you inside the House in his final review of Bloch’s Psycho book trilogy!! Take a listen, then go to Now Playing Podcast before October 31, 2013 to donate to our shows and hear the movie reviews!
Source: Books and Nachos
Carrie by Stephen King
Carrie is the tale of a telekinetic teenage outcast, was phenomenal success for any book, let alone the first-published work of a new author. It’s film rights were pursued by Brian De Palma and the paperback sold a million copies. But such is the legacy of Stephen King, a man who’s words spark imagination and bring even non-readers into bookstores.
As a new film based on Carrie is released in theaters Arnie begins this Books & Nachos podcast retrospective looking back on all King’s published works. In this episode he reviews Carrie in light of King’s later works, examining the themes, character types, and plot devices King would return to again and again.
The new movie’s ads say “You Will Know Her Name” but will you know the whole story? Listen to this episode of Books & Nachos to find out!
Source: Books and Nachos
Psycho II by Robert Bloch
Hitchcock’s Psycho became such a phenomenal success that it all but obscured the novel on which it was based. But in 1982 original Psycho author Robert Bloch returned to Norman Bates in his novel Psycho II. Completely unrelated to the 1983 film of the same name, Bloch’s book tells of a movie studio adapting Norman Bates’ story to the big screen. When Norman hears about this he is none too happy and he goes to Hollywood. Now Stuart reads and reviews Bloch’s original continuation of Bates’ story as he continues to read the Psycho novels while at Now Playing Podcast he, Arnie, and Brock review the Psycho films! Those movie reviews are Now Playing’s limited-availability Fall 2013 Gold Donation Series, but here, unlimited, you can hear Stuart’s thoughts on the book! Take a listen, then go to Now Playing Podcast before October 31, 2013 to hear the movie reviews!
Source: Books and Nachos
Psycho by Robert Bloch
Psycho. The word evokes common images, all black and white from the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. The film is such an acclaimed success that for many it obscures the fact that before Norman Bates was on the big screen he was first on the page, in Robert Bloch’s original novel Psycho. Now Stuart, Arnie, and Brock are reviewing all the Psycho movies as part of Now Playing’s limited-availability Fall 2013 Gold Donation Series, but here, unlimited, you can hear Stuart’s thoughts on the original book! Take a listen, then go to Now Playing Podcast before October 31, 2013 to hear the thoughts on the film!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 402: Separation Anxiety
New figures are on the pegs and Marjorie and Arnie are back in the Star Wars Action News studio ready to review them! On this week’s podcast the hosts look at new new Saga Legends figures from Hasbro. With limited articulation and smaller card backs these figures have divided collectors between those who demand more collector-oriented figures and those who find the limited pose-ability a throwback to vintage collecting. Hasbro claims they’re some of the best sculpts they’ve ever done. Listen to find out the final verdict!But with the new items shipping there seem to be new problems for collectors. The figures seem to have problem staying on the cards, and reports are widespread regarding shipping damage to the Amazon exclusive Slave I. Even those who received perfect Slave I vehicles may still have issues as many report manufacturing issues and missing parts with Boba Fett’s iconic ship. Marjorie and Arnie run down these disappointing details.With listener voicemails giving their thoughts on the toys, a review of the Star Wars chess set, and a Legend-ary Darth Maul collectible, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Star Wars Action News listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Source: Star Wars Action News
World War Z by Max Brooks
This week the movie World War Z arrives in theaters starring Brad Pitt as an investigator traveling the world during a massive zombie outbreak. The film shares the title with the best selling book by Max Brooks, but fans of the book claim the movie has little resemblance to their beloved story. The movie will be reviewed at Now Playing Podcast but first Stuart has read and now reviews the source material!
After you listen to his review, head to NowPlayingPodcast.com and find out how to hear their World War Z movie review, only available until June 30, 2013!
Source: Books and Nachos
Return of the Living Dead by John Russo
Return of the Living Dead is best known for being a 1985 horror-comedy film that is both a sequel to and a spoof of George Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead. However, few know of the messy history behind the film, and that it originally started off as a novel written by Night of the Living Dead co-writer John Russo and released in 1977. A straight follow-up to Romero’s original film, Russo’s novel bears little resemblance to the film that would follow 8 years later. But now as part of Now Playing’s Return of the Living Dead bonus retrospective series Stuart in LA reads and reviews the original novel and tells how this book became the 1985 cult classic!
After you listen to his review, head to NowPlayingPodcast.com and find out how to hear their Return of the Living Dead movie review series, only available until June 30, 2013!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Avengers: Breakout Prose Novel by Alisa Kwitney
Continuing the look at the new series of Marvel Comics prose novels that adapt popular comic arcs into novel form Arnie is back this week to review New Avengers: Breakout by Alisa Kwitney. The original story was told by Brian Michael Bendis in the 2005 New Avengers comics. This novel changes the story considerably making two characters not in Bendis’ comics– Hawkeye and the Black Widow — the main characters. Listen to Arnie’s review to find out if these reviews are for better or for worse.
Source: Books and Nachos
Astonishing X-Men: Gifted Prose Novel by Peter David
Next Tuesday the fourth book in Marvel Comics new prose novel series is being released–Iron Man: Extremis by Marie Javins. This wraps up the four novel series announced by Marvel back in 2012. To commemorate the conclusion of this book series, Arnie is back to continue his reviews of these Marvel Comics novelizations of successful comic arcs. This week Arnie is reviewing Astonishing X-Men: Gifted, written by longtime Marvel Comics scribe Peter David, based on the comic series by Joss Whedon.
Source: Books and Nachos
If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell
Even if you don’t know the name Bruce Campbell the odds are you’ve seen him in television shows and movies. Currently a star of Burn Notice, Campbell has been featured in the Hercules and Xena television shows, as well as films like Maniac Cop, Escape from L.A., The Hudsucker Proxy, The Majestic, and all three Spider-Man films. But for all his work, Campbell is perhaps best known for his role of Ash in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead films. As today the remake of Evil Dead is being released, Arnie takes this opportunity to revisit Campbell’s 2001 autobiography for the insights it gives on the actor and his films.
Source: Books and Nachos
Marvel's Civil War Prose Novel by Stuart Moore
Last year Marvel Comics started a new prose novel line adapting popular comic book story arcs to long fiction form. Now Arnie is reviewing all four of these novelized comic book stories, starting with the first book — Civil War. The Civil War comic books of 2006 and 2007 was a best-selling event, spanning over 100 comics and topping sales charts. Now author Stuart Moore is taking this expansive story and compressing it into a 350 page book. Join Arnie as he contrasts the novel with its comic book counterpart, and find out if Civil War is worth a read!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 386: St. Louis is Wizard!
Wizard World conventions are a staple for sci-fi and comic book fans. Having produced their multi-city conventions for years in Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other cities, they now expand their reach deeper in the midwest this year with Wizard World St. Louis! Marjorie and Arnie were at the con meeting Star Wars fans, celebrities, and seeing what Star Wars collectibles were for sale! With the 2014 St. Louis convention already announced, should you save the date? Listen to Arnie & Marjorie’s report to find out!Also this week, Johnathan is back with a look at the 2013 Movie Heroes action figures, Jerry gives a Vintage Viewpoint from Endor, and Steve the Gingerprince reports in from the UK–with a chance for one lucky listener to win some of the 2013 Yoda carded Clone Wars figures not released in the USA!
Source: Star Wars Action News
Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits by Garth Ennis
After reviewing the Keanu Reeves film Constantine, based on DC’s Hellblazer comics, hosts Arnie and Jakob turn to the source material on which the movie was based. In their second podcast looking at John Constantine in comics, they discuss Original Sins, Garth Ennis’ first American comic book writing and one of the most acclaimed Hellblazer storylines.
Source: Books and Nachos
Hellblazer: Original Sins by Jamie Delano
Jakob and Arnie have returned to Books & Nachos to review more DC comics graphic novels. On Tuesday they reviewed the Keanu Reeves film Constantine, based on DC’s Hellblazer comics. Now they turn to the source material, reading and reviewing Original Sins, a graphic novel compiling Hellblazer issues 1 through 9.
Source: Books and Nachos
58 Minutes by Walter Wager
The original Die Hard movie was based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. But as Thorp’s novel had no sequel, 20th Century Fox had no road map for where to take John McClane in the sequel Die Hard 2. Instead, the studio and screenwriters took Walter Wager’s 1987 novel 58 Minutes about an NYPD officer who has to fight off terrorists at JFK airport. What other changes are there between the book and the film, and is the book worth your time? Spend 14 minutes listening to Stuart’s review to find out!
Source: Books and Nachos
New Podcast – Star Wars Action News Episode 376: 2012 Year In Review Part III: Expanded Universe, High End, and Best of the Year!
In addition to all the toys collectors added to their shelves this year, it’s been an amazing year for Star Wars expanded universe fans! From a return to the X-Wing book series to the conclusion of the Fate of the Jedi series, books from the Old Republic to the New Republic, comics, Clone Wars, and so much more it was an expansive year for Star Wars fans. In this week’s Star Wars Action News, Nathan and Brock reflect on the year in Star Wars Expanded Universe, then the rest of the crew weigh in with their favorites. With high-end collecting in 2012, and their favorite collectibles of the year, it’s all in the last Star Wars Action News podcast of the year!
Source: Star Wars Action News
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